Coming out of the bye week, the Colts are 8-2 with their most recent game being their overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin. In that game, Jonathan Taylor scored three rushing touchdowns and set a new franchise record for career rushing touchdowns – so of course, we have to start with that.
It's really hard to put into words what Taylor has been doing from the beginning of the season until now. How he played in Berlin, and breaking Edgerrin James' record, is just something remarkable to see. I always thought JT was an exceptional running back when he got into the league, but he's just taken it to another level this year.
And I don't know what it is – he looks faster than he did when he first got into the league, and he's running hard and strong. Give the offensive line credit for doing their job, and not just the offensive line, but everyone, for contributing to JT's success. Daniel Jones and the passing game being successful has helped the running game too, and Taylor's just taken off with it.
He's taking responsibility for being the best he can be, and for him to do what he's doing – to be on pace to rush for over 1,900 yards and 25 touchdowns? That's remarkable.
In total, he's on pace for over 2,300 total scrimmage yards and nearly 30 total touchdowns. For him to do what he's done right now after 10 games – already over 1,000 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns – says a lot about him and says a lot about his preparation.
Clearly, Taylor has the power and the speed, and he can take it to the house. But the thing that I like about JT this year is that he's been a factor in the passing game. He was before, but now, he's taken his game to another level, and to me, that's what's so special about what he's doing this year.
And as a teammate of a player like that – especially a wide receiver – it's neat to be able to participate in being a part of your running back scoring a touchdown, knowing you're blocking downfield and helping him score. You're one of the 10 other players that's helping him succeed, and helping the team succeed.
A lot of the time, for running backs to have those big runs, it takes the wide receiver blocking downfield. So, seeing the Colts wide receivers (and tight ends) do that, it says a lot about how they feel about JT; they want to go out and help him be successful, which is good to see.
Takeaways from the Colts' trade for Sauce Gardner
Without a doubt, Sauce Gardner's presence will make an impact on this defense. Gardner, along with Charvarius Ward Sr., means the Colts have two players who can play that real tight coverage on the outside, and of course you have Kenny Moore II in the slot – and Moore has been playing well since he arrived in Indianapolis.
It reminds me of when the Colts traded for running back Eric Dickerson in 1987. As a part of the locker room, it was exciting to get a player of that caliber. That just showed us Jim Irsay's commitment to try and provide the team with putting the best team together to be successful on the field. And because of that, the Colts reached the playoffs for the first time in ten years.
As a teammate, you always want to welcome in new guys with open arms and help them make the transition to the team as easy as possible. But in the same manner, you want them to be themselves and continue to be the player you traded for because that's what you're hoping will help make you successful. Also, you knew with a player like Eric, with his competitiveness, you were going to have to play at a level that met or exceeded his energy.
With the trade for Sauce, I can see a similar approach where I think having him here will raise the level of competitiveness within the defense, and a trade like that shows the organization believes that this is a special team.
It shows the Colts know they have guys out there that are playing well and are doing something special.
We talk about it all year long, that the front office is always looking to make the team better. So, with them going out and trading for Sauce Gardner, getting this young guy with all his accomplishments already in his career, it shows they are committed to finding ways to improve the team. And in turn, the rest of the guys in the locker room can feel that.
We know this is a very talented team – and not only are they talented, but they're also playing well. To supplement that with a player of Sauce Gardner's caliber just reinforces that the organization as a whole believes this team could be something special.
Importance of the bye week before the last seven games of the regular season
Right now, coming out of the bye week, the Colts have placed themselves in a good spot. They're 8-2 and at the top of the AFC South, and when you're in a position like that, you control your own destiny.
Going into the bye week, first of all, means everyone gets a chance to reset, recuperate and take a breath. You can take a step back and evaluate what you've done well and what you need to work on – not just as a team but as individual players – so you can make improvements for the final stretch of the season.
And the Colts' bye week came at a good time. Their win over the Falcons in Berlin was a big one, showing this team is a gritty team and they can find ways to win. So, it was a good win to go into the bye feeling good about yourself, knowing that these next seven games are going to be very important to tell where you stand in the division and in the conference going forward.
As a reminder, the Colts' remaining schedule is as follows: Chiefs, Texans, Jaguars, Seahawks, 49ers, Jaguars, Texans.
The key for the Colts going forward will be capitalizing on all the good work they did in their first 10 games and use that in these last seven games but still understanding that you've got to take things one week and one game at a time.
But really, it's a whole new season now.
