The Colts, collectively, have elevated their level of play in 2025 â with Sunday's 40-6 beatdown of the Las Vegas Raiders another example of their team-wide success.
Within that, running back Jonathan Taylor has also elevated his play. Taylor rushed for three touchdowns against the Raiders, helping the Colts score touchdowns on six consecutive possessions in a 34-point victory.
"I mean, this whole team is just better in every single facet," wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said. "So obviously, I mean, if JT gets better â he might be the best player in the whole league."
Taylor's three touchdowns brought his season total to seven (six rushing, one receiving), tying him with wide receiver Marvin Harrison (1999) and fullback Don McCauley (1977) for the most touchdowns in the first five games of a season in franchise history. "On pace for" stats can be misleading, but it's notable enough we'll mention this here: Taylor is on pace for 24 touchdowns, which would break his franchise record of 20 set in 2021. No player has had 24 or more touchdowns in a season since San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame running back set an NFL record with 31 in 2006.
"JT's playing at an unbelievable level," quarterback Daniel Jones said. "Guys up front are playing at an unbelievable level."
Taylor's vision, and his trust in his blockers, has allowed him to set up his runs to churn out positive yardage at worst and create explosive gains at best. His experience â six years in the NFL and three years running behind Tony Sparano Jr.'s offensive line â has shined every time he's had the ball put in his hands this season.
After Sunday's game, Taylor sent credit for his strong start to the season toward his offensive line.
"They're the best in the league at this, so allowing them to push, fight, scratch and claw and then make them right," Taylor said. "Just make sure that we're trying to be as efficient as possible, because they do a lot of the heavy lifting."
Taylor only gained 66 yards on 17 carries (3.9 yards/attempt), but the Colts entered Sunday expecting the Raiders to compress their run game and force Jones to hit underneath throws. Jones did that, and Taylor fought for his yards â especially in the red zone, from where the Colts had struggled to punch the ball into the end zone over their first four games.
"I think he's playing (like the) best back in the league right now," head coach Shane Steichen said.
We're not even a third of the way through the 2025 season yet, so Taylor has a long road ahead of him to keep showing he's the sort of player coaches and teammates have described him as over the last month. But so far, none of it sounds like hyperbole.
"I just think he's headed for his best one yet," Pittman said. "... His next level, I don't even know what that would look like. That'd be like five touchdowns a game."
