If you’re not watching the first season of HBO’s Hard Knocks In Season, you may not understand, but it is hard not to love this Indianapolis Colts team. It’s also hard to not think that Jonathan Taylor deserves to be the NFL MVP. However, you shouldn’t need to watch Hard Knocks for that. The stats speak for themself.
Taylor is the NFL’s leading rusher with over 1,600 yards, nearly 500 yards than the second-leading rusher. He also broke a Colts single-season rushing touchdown record with 17 on the season. However, most importantly, no player has meant more to his teams’ success than Jonathan Taylor.
At times, Taylor has carried his team to victory. Including his MVP moment in the game-sealing touchdown 67-yard touchdown trot against the New England Patriots. Most impressive for Taylor’s stellar season is how he has done this with teams keying in on him each game. Nearly every Colts opponent has stacked the box to try to slow the Colts rushing game. Although opposing teams focus on Taylor, the tailback has managed to rack up over 100 yards rushing in 9-out-of-15 games this season.
The Colts are 9-0 when Taylor has rushed for 100+ yards.
Playoff-Bound Colts?
All 9 Colts wins coming in games Jonathan Taylor surpasses the century mark. Their 9-6 record has them with a 95% chance to make the playoffs. An unexpected place after the teams 1-4 start to the season. And with the Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars as the teams remaining opponents, expect Taylor to add to his MVP resume.
Despite the incredible season from Jonathan Taylor, he still remains an unlikely MVP choice. Quarterbacks have been the position taking home the MVP hardware in eight straight seasons. Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Aaron Rodgers look to be the steep competition he is up against this year. While their seasons have been impressive, none deserve it more than Taylor.
Compare the supporting casts of Brady, Mahomes, and Rodgers to that of Jonathan Taylors. The year he has had is outstanding. While the Colts have some strong pieces, none equate to the Tyreek Hill’s, Rob Gronkowski’s, and Davante Adams’ of the world. The Colts offense moves with the feet of Jonathan Taylor.
“What he is doing now in this NFL, there’s absolutely no question that he is the MVP,” Colts linebacker Darius Leonard said.
Taylor is likely to finish the season with over 100-yards rushing per game on over 5.5 yards per carry. The League should recognize its leading-rusher as what he is, his teams, and the NFL’s most valuable player.
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