Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts is gaining traction in the MVP race, challenging the dominance of quarterbacks in the NFL. Colts head coach Shane Steichen recently declared Taylor the best running back in the league, praising his physical running style and vision. This season, Taylor leads the league in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, with projections indicating he could finish with nearly 1,700 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns.
Taylor’s statistics are impressive. He not only tops the charts in rushing but also leads in runs of over 10 yards and yards gained after contact. His performance has been instrumental in propelling the Colts to a 6-1 record, making them one of the top-scoring offenses in the NFL. These accomplishments position Taylor as a strong candidate for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award.
Despite this, the path to the MVP title remains challenging for Taylor. The NFL has evolved into a predominantly passing league, and to stand out among the elite quarterbacks, Taylor may need to elevate his game further. Historical context highlights the difficulty non-quarterbacks face in securing the MVP award. For instance, Saquon Barkley amassed 2,005 rushing yards last season yet finished third in the MVP voting behind Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, partly due to sharing scoring opportunities with his quarterback.
The last non-quarterback to win the MVP was Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 2,097 yards in 2012. Other notable non-quarterback MVPs include Sean Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson, who achieved the accolade in consecutive seasons by posting record-setting performances. For Taylor to break this trend, he would likely need to achieve similarly historic statistics.
As of now, Taylor’s MVP odds stand at +6000, trailing behind several quarterbacks. Following a strong performance in Week 7 where he rushed for 132 yards and three touchdowns against the Chargers, his odds shifted, but not significantly. The current favorite is Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, with odds of +125 after a notable game where he threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns against the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the MVP conversation, Josh Allen follows closely with odds at +360, while Baker Mayfield sits at +700. Rookie Drake Maye has also made a notable leap in the odds, moving from +1800 to +850 after a standout performance against the Tennessee Titans.
While Taylor’s rushing numbers are exceptional, his contributions in the passing game could strengthen his MVP candidacy. Currently, he has 23 receptions for 185 yards and one touchdown. Increasing his involvement in the passing game could enhance his visibility and impact as a dual-threat player.
Honorable mentions for the MVP race include quarterbacks Dak Prescott, Daniel Jones, and Jared Goff, as well as running backs like Christian McCaffrey. As the season progresses, Taylor’s performance will be closely monitored as he aims to solidify his position among the league’s elite players.
With the Colts continuing to perform well, the coming weeks will be critical for Taylor’s MVP aspirations.
