7-1. Colts win their fourth game in a row, all convincingly, this time by 24 points against division rivals Tennessee Titans. There were some ghosts surrounding this team and games that they should be winning easily on paper, so it was nice leaving them behind and demolishing the Titans always feels good. Now we enter the tough stretch of the season, where we will see the true metal of this Colts’ roster.
Best player of the Game (and NFL MVP): Jonathan Taylor
What else is left to say about Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor? Yesterday he finished with 174 scrimmage yards on just 14 touches, and scored yet another hat-trick. This is dominance I have not seen from a Colts’ skill player in my entire life. Of course this is also because of a dominant offensive line (more on that later), but watching Taylor every single play is something beautiful for my eyes. The way he makes defenders miss in tight spaces, how he patiently waits for the hole to open up, his explosiveness, it seems like he sees the game at 0.5 speed, but can move at 1.5. There seems to be no counter right now for him.
He is currently on pace to be near LT’s record breaking 2004 season, and for people saying “If Saquon did not win MVP last year no running back deserves the award” I will simply say that through eight games JT has 15 total touchdowns, the same amount Saquon had last year.
Dud of the Game (The Grigsy): Vacant
For the fifth time through eight games, The Grigsy award is left vacant as no Colt was deserving of the award. There was never a doubt about this one, and no starter had a bad game. Pass protection was a bit off in some plays, and the secondary struggled in some instances, but overall the Colts were in control the entire game.
Best play of the Game: JT’s 80-yard touchdown run down the sideline
With “just” a 10-point lead, JT made sure that the Titans did not get their hopes up with an incredible run down the sideline for the score. Everything about this play is just amazing. Quenton Nelson sealing off the Titans’ cornerback, Tanor Bortolini reaching the second level and getting the key block, then JT first beating Amani Hooker leaving him in the dirt, and then not only making the other defender miss but also maintaning his balance down the sideline in order to score. Perhaps even the Colts’ best play of the season.
Worst play of the Game: Daniel Jones sacked by a free rusher in the 2Q
Not because of the impact it had on the game, but because of the injury risk that the play entailed for Indiana Jones. The hope of this season rests on his shoulders, so the Colts cannot afford him taking hits like that at all. It was a busted play, that the Titans’ defense countered to perfection, so it is not something structurally wrong with the Colts offense, but it was still worrying to see.
Best position group: Offensive line
Even despite some mishaps in pass-protection, the size of the holes the offensive line was opening for JT was unbelievable. The Titans were playing without star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, which made things much easier for the Colts’ O-line, but it was fun watching them dominate the relatively easy matchup.
Unsung hero: Tanor Bortolini
There were two plays I want you to look at what #60 does. The first one is above, on JT’s 80-yard run, how fast he gets off the ball and pulls to the hole. The second one is on this Tyler Warren screen, just watch how fast he gets to the player that could have easily stopped the play and moves him away from the ball, allowing Warren to gain 20 yards and set up the score from MPJ. Bort’s season has been amazing, and it is great to see that the Colts have found their center for the next 10 years.
ROTW (The Tyler Warren Award): Tyler Warren
Warren finished the game with what seems like a pedestrian 4 catches for 53 yards, but it was another solid outing for the young tight end, and once again no other rookies really played much to warrant consideration for the award. Edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau played a season high 35 snaps, and he got a nice pressure on a spin move, but it was not enough to take this award from Warren.
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