Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s ‘Monstrous Career Game’ Caps Off Impressive Rookie Season

Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Jonathan Taylor had a career game on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as he rushed for 253 rushing yards on 30 carries (8.4 ypc. avg.) and 2 rushing touchdowns—including a rushing long of 56 yards on his big afternoon:

His 253 rushing yards surpassed Hall of Famer Edgerrin James (219) for the most in a single-game in Colts franchise history and is now tied for 9th most all-time in NFL history among all running backs.

Taylor is the youngest running back of all-time to rush for over 250 rushing yards.

As for his season numbers, Taylor’s 1,169 total rushing yards were the 3rd most among all running backs during 2020, as he trailed just the Tennessee Titans Derrick Henry (2,027) and Minnesota Vikings Dalvin Cook (1,557) among all league leaders.

Therefore, Taylor also led all rookies in rushing yards—while averaging 5.03 yards per carry.

He also had 11 rushing touchdowns to go along with his 1,169 rushing yards.

The impressive rookie joins just James and fellow Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the only rookie running backs in Colts franchise history to rush for 1,000+ rushing yards and 10+ rushing touchdowns—which is some elite company to say the least.

Taylor should be a frontrunner at running back for any ‘All NFL Rookie-Team Honors’ and warrant strong consideration for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award (although Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson present tough competition there).

Offensively, Taylor simply carried the Colts on Sunday, and he had the game-clinching touchdown from around 45 yards out in the final few minutes of the fourth quarter.

The Colts will need another dominant performance next weekend from Taylor in the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills—especially with cold, January weather conditions against their old AFC East foe, to pull off any potential first round upset.

No matter the outcome though, the ‘beastly’ rookie’s football future is extremely bright:

Although he may not be done quite yet this season.