Colts running back Jonathan Taylor’s 3rd quarter gaffe led to a Broncos rally that Indianapolis never recovered from.
Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor took ownership and accountability of his shocking 3rd quarter fumble during Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos, in which he celebrated prematurely and dropped the ball short of crossing the goal-line on what would’ve been a huge 41-yard touchdown run.
Per ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Taylor didn’t make excuses, apologized to his teammates post-game, and vowed that it would never happen again:
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor on his would-be 41-yard TD run that ultimately became a fumble through the end zone and touchback.
“That will never happen again.” pic.twitter.com/0o9R9bYSmz
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) December 16, 2024
However, the damage had already been done.
In the Colts’ biggest game of the season, the Taylor score would’ve effectively placed them up 20-7 with 12:36 early in the 3rd quarter.
Instead, it was a touchback, with the ball going the other way.
The Indianapolis defense had been playing great, with two interceptions against rookie Bo Nix, and Denver failing to get much of anything consistently going offensively.
Instead, it completely changed the momentum and complexion of the game.
The fumble led to the Broncos scoring 24 unanswered points en route to victory.
Quite frankly, it can’t happen again.
Taylor is one of the Colts’ undisputed best players and is a veteran running back at this point of his pro career.
He’s a team captain.
That blunder has no place in peewee, let alone professional football.
Make sure you score.
Celebrate later.
Run it out through the back of the end zone if you have to.
Taylor has the potential to have a Colts Ring of Honor and even Pro Football Hall of Fame career when it’s all said and done; however, this inexcusable gaffe will likely go down as arguably his biggest blunder and regret.
As it should.
It was only the beginning of the end for the Colts realistic playoff hopes.
