Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor redeemed himself in a big way Sunday, practically single-handedly keeping the team’s playoff hopes alive one week after a big blunder.
In Week 15, Taylor was on the precipice of a 41-yard touchdown run against the Denver Broncos that could have given the Colts a 20-7 lead in the third quarter. Instead, Taylor accidentally dropped the ball one yard short of the end zone, turning the ball over. The Broncos took advantage of the momentum shift and ultimately won 31-13.
Against the Tennessee Titans in Indianapolis on Sunday, Taylor had a monster performance, running for 218 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries in a 38-30 win for Indianapolis.
Taylor’s dominance made up for a middling passing attack, as second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson completed only seven of 11 passes for 131 yards.
Taylor’s first touchdown was a 65-yard burst up the middle of the field that gave the Colts a 14-7 lead.
Then, in the third quarter, Taylor outdid himself with a 70-yard score as he ran right by the Titans’ defense up the left sideline.
For good measure, he added a 1-yard score later in the third.
Taylor’s explosion couldn’t have come at a bigger moment for Indianapolis. Per NFL.com, the Colts entered Sunday’s game with a 1% chance of making the playoffs with a loss but a 15% chance of making the postseason with a win.
Ultimately, Indianapolis still has an uphill climb to claim a wild-card spot in the AFC. But Taylor’s three scores make a possible playoff push much more realistic.