INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts kept quarterback Carson Wentz from getting in his own way as they attempt to stay in the playoff mix during the second half of the season.
It’s actually pretty simple: Lean more on running back Jonathan Taylor and less on Wentz.
Taylor spearheaded one of the franchise’s most dominant rushing performances in the Colts’ 45-30 victory over the Zach Wilson-less New York Jets on Thursday.
“When he gets to the second level, I feel like it’s going to the house,” coach Frank Reich said. “He’s just fast, strong and elusive. Playing really good. Our receivers really work hard down the field so they’re going to get him all the help he can have down there.”
Taylor rushed for 172 yards and the Colts finished with 260 on the ground. This wasn’t a game where the Colts needed to have long, clock-consuming double-digit-play drives. Taylor made quick work of the Jets with long runs. He averaged 9.1 yards a carry with touchdown runs of 78 and 21 yards to become the first player in the NFL this season to have multiple touchdown runs of at least 20 yards, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
“It takes a lot of pressure off the pass game when you can run like that,” Reich said. “Hit some big chunks in the pass game, but you could just feel it early. You could just feel us dominating the line of scrimmage early, I could feel that. So, we just were efficient.”
The more Taylor runs the ball, the more those not too familiar with him learn about the second-year running back. It was the Colts’ first home prime-time game since the 2017 season.
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It was also the third time in less than two seasons Taylor has had at least 150 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns. The Colts had that happen only three times between 2000 and 2019, and Taylor has already…
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