The Indianapolis Colts get the season sweep of the lowly Tennessee Titans by the final score of 38-14. As it was in Week 3, the Colts dominated from start to finish, and the Titans were never in this game. Even at 10-7, you could tell this was going to go the same way as it did last time they played.
The Colts stuck with the same game plan on offense that they have had from the start of the season. The “throw to score, run to win” belief continued again this week. Jonathan Taylor continues to lead the MVP race with another three-touchdown game. As we mentioned last week, while the praise is warranted for Jonathan Taylor, let’s not forget the offensive line. They continue to stay healthy, and they are one cohesive unit that keeps Daniel Jones off the ground. They continue to run high-level blocking schemes to set up Taylor for success.
Obviously, this was a game that we all expected the Colts to win, but another dominant showing continues to reveal the growth of this football team. It’s difficult to find weaknesses this week, as the final Titans touchdown was in “garbage time” of the football game. This team offensively is flat-out fun to watch, and they continue to evolve each week. Let’s break down a couple of thoughts from the game and look ahead to Week 9.
Jonathan Taylor Separates Himself
This NFL season has been interesting to say the least. Especially with the MVP discussion and the midseason award talks. Typically, the MVP is a quarterback award, but even with Daniel Jones playing at a high level, it’s Taylor who is separating himself. How quickly Taylor has made us forget about his past contract and injury issues.
Taylor is on pace to score 29 scrimmage touchdowns this season. For context, that would be second all-time in one season behind the 2006 season, where LaDainian Tomlinson scored 31 scrimmage touchdowns. Even more context, Tomlinson ended up winning the MVP that season in a landslide. If Taylor continues this pace, it would be hard not to make him the league MVP.
What makes Taylor more valuable than Jones at this point is his ability to keep this offense from being one-dimensional. The inaccuracy problems of Anthony Richardson last season made the offense a nearly run-only offense. They sprinkled in some play action, but it was the only way they could move the ball.
With Jones under center, it has opened the playbook and brought out the best in this offense. Teams must account for both the run and the pass every time. They cannot stack the box like they did last season, and creativity has been at the forefront. We have seen Taylor improve as a pass catcher as well, and he is turning into a complete back now.
Defense Had Its Best Showing
This defense has been spotty at times, and they continue to battle through injuries. Most of those injuries have been in the secondary and the linebacker room. The injuries have shown throughout the season, but they continue to work through them.
The defense this week was solid. Do they still have moments that make you shake your head? Absolutely, and those moments include their inability to make stops on 3rd and longs and through the air. The run defense has been the highlight of the defense. This week was, in my opinion, the best showing of the defensive line. They kept the rushing offense in check and prevented them from getting any type of rhythm offensively. The standout this week was DT Neville Gallimore, as he was a situational rotator this week.
For all the flak that this defense has taken this season, they seem to be improving and figuring out how to play with so many injuries. I know the Titans were depleted as well, but to see improvement through it all shows that the coaching staff is an upgrade from last season.
Looking Ahead To Pittsburgh
With a win over Tennessee, the Colts have moved to 7-1 in the season and are in first place in the league. Not just the AFC, but the entire National Football League. The schedule is what it is, and they have yet to come out flat this season. Even in their loss, it was self-inflicted wounds that they could not overcome.
Next week, the Colts head to Pittsburgh, and this will be another key matchup. Pittsburgh will be coming off a loss to Green Bay and has moved to 4-3 on the season. Like the two games in Los Angeles this season, this will be another stern test for this defense.
The last lingering question, with one week to go until the trade deadline, is will the franchise will make a move? The offense is humming, but the need for a playmaker at the edge or in the secondary is still in flux. It appears that Jaylon Jones could return this week, and it might just be at the right time. I think it is likely that you will see a move this week, but unlikely that the player sees the field until after the bye week. Regardless, this team is one playmaker on defense away from being a true, legit Super Bowl contender. This team continues to surprise us all, and this week will be no different in Pittsburgh.
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