Jonathan Taylor’s Redemption Run: A Day to Remember
INDIANAPOLIS — Picture this: Jonathan Taylor, the Indianapolis Colts’ dynamic running back, makes a lightning-quick jump cut through the hole, and suddenly, there’s nothing but open field ahead. It’s a sight that Colts fans have come to love, and on this particular Sunday, it was a moment that would be etched in their memories.
As Taylor reached the goal line, completing a breathtaking 65-yard run, he didn’t stop there. No, he kept going, sprinting into the tunnel that leads to the Colts’ locker room in the southwest corner of Lucas Oil Stadium. It was a symbolic gesture, a message to everyone watching: This time, he was holding onto the football all the way to the end zone. A week ago, he hadn’t been so lucky.
In a game that will be remembered for its historic significance, Taylor reached the end zone two more times, including a jaw-dropping 70-yard scoring run. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, racking up 218 yards in the Colts’ thrilling 38-30 victory over the Tennessee Titans. This win was not just any win; it was a statement. The Colts’ offense dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for a franchise record 335 yards, a feat that kept their faint playoff hopes alive. This new record surpassed the previous high set in 1956, long before the franchise’s move from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984.
For Taylor, this was his second career 200-yard performance, second only to his career-high 253-yard game in the final week of the 2020 season. It was a redemption story, coming on the heels of last Sunday’s game where Taylor had committed a costly error, dropping the ball prematurely as he crossed the goal line on what would have been a 41-yard run. That mistake had cost the Colts dearly, dealing a severe blow to their playoff aspirations. But this week, Taylor was determined not to repeat it.
“I had already predetermined in my mind that next time, I’m going all the way in the tunnel,” Taylor said with a smile on Sunday.
In fact, Taylor approached the situation with a sense of humor. He and backup running back Tyler Goodson had planned a playful bit ahead of the game. After Taylor emerged from the tunnel, Goodson ran up to him and playfully tried to strip the ball away, with Taylor keeping a firm grip.
“Just trolling, making the crowd laugh a little bit,” Goodson said, adding a touch of levity to the intense game.
But make no mistake, there was nothing funny about the way the Colts manhandled the Titans. Tennessee allowed the most rushing yards of any team this season and the second-most in Titans/Oilers franchise history. The Colts were unapologetic about their game plan, at one point running on 12 consecutive plays over the span of three possessions in the second quarter.
“That’s kind of the exciting part,” Taylor said. “It’s kind of when you start imposing your will, establishing that line of scrimmage. Those are the types of football games as a running back … you love.”
Tight end Mo Alie-Cox added his perspective: “By the end of the game… we were still getting 5 yards a pop. They still couldn’t really stop it. They were calling it, but they couldn’t do nothing about it.”
Alie-Cox shared a humorous anecdote from the game: “It’s hilarious,” he said. “One time, they were like, ‘It’s a screen. Boom.’ And then one of their [defensive] ends was like, ‘Man, they’re about to give it to Jonathan Taylor. He’s about run for 300 [yards] on us.’ Once he said that, I was like, ‘Yeah, we got him.'”
With the rushing game firing on all cylinders, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson had a relatively light day from the pocket. He attempted just 11 passes, completing 7 for 131 yards. But Richardson was part of the rushing spectacle, contributing a career-high 70 yards on the ground.
Now, the Colts face a crucial stretch, looking to finish the season with wins over the New York Giants and Jaguars in their remaining two games. They’ll need a bit of luck and some favorable outcomes elsewhere to keep their postseason dreams alive.
- Jonathan Taylor’s 218-yard performance was his second career 200-yard game.
- The Colts set a franchise record with 335 rushing yards.
- Anthony Richardson contributed a career-high 70 rushing yards.
Originally Written by: Stephen Holder
