Jonathan Taylor continues his incredible start to season as Colts rout Chargers

Jonathan Taylor is the early favorite for NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez via Getty Images

There was an era, long ago, when running backs who had great seasons had a realistic shot at the NFL MVP award. 

Jonathan Taylor is a throwback in a few ways, and maybe he can get himself into the MVP mix. 

The team success part of the equation is on Taylor's side, at least to this point. The Indianapolis Colts improved to 6-1 with a dominant 38-24 win over a Los Angeles Chargers team that was 4-2 coming in. Taylor led the way with three touchdowns. It's the third time in the Colts' last five games that Taylor has put up three touchdowns. He had 132 yards from scrimmage. 

Daniel Jones' resurgence has gotten most of the attention during the Colts' fast start, but Taylor is the engine of the offense. He is the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Player of the Year, though Puka Nacua and others won't let Taylor run away with it. MVP has become a quarterback-only award in recent years. But if there is a running back who can get into the conversation to be the first to win MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012, it would probably be a hyper-productive player from a team with the best record in the NFL. 

Most NFL teams can get hot for a couple weeks, or maybe even a month. We're beyond that with the Colts, who have the best record in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can match them at 6-1 with a win on Monday night, but to this point nobody has played better than the Colts.

The Colts looked fantastic on Sunday, as they have all season. Taylor got the scoring started on a 23-yard touchdown run. Daniel Jones hit Michael Pittman Jr. for a touchdown, and then rookie tight end Tyler Warren for one. The Chargers are a good team and the Colts led them 23-3 at halftime. 

It wasn't anything new for the Colts. This is how they've looked all season. Taylor is playing at a level that puts him at the top fo the NFL Offensive Player of the Year lists. Jones is having a complete career resurrection. The defense has been consistent. There haven't been any holes for the Colts, and we're closing in on being halfway through their season. 

The Chargers finally got back in it to start the second half on a quick 70-yard drive for a score. But the Colts got an 81-yard kickoff return from Ameer Abdullah and Taylor scored his second touchdown to restore their lead to 31-10. 

Good teams don't give their opponents any hope, and the Colts are a good team. The Chargers' momentum was stopped as soon as it started. 

The Chargers made another run and Taylor shut them down again. Keenan Allen scored to cut the Colts' lead to 31-17. But Indianapolis came right back and Taylor scored on a 19-yard touchdown run. Every time the Chargers showed some signs of getting back in the game, it didn't last long. 

The Colts have had one of the NFL's most efficient offenses since Week 1, when they blasted the Dolphins 33-8. They put up 38 points on a good Chargers defense and made it look easy. 

Indianapolis has established itself as one of the best teams in the NFL this season. There are many reasons, including Jones and a defense that has been better than expected. Taylor is at the top of the reasons the Colts are 6-1, however. If he continues to play like he has and the Colts keep winning, he'll be gathering some awards when the season is over. 

Category: General Sports