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Jonathan Taylor's latest big game puts him in MVP conversation
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor's latest big game puts him in MVP conversation

There have been no days off and no bad games for Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor so far this season. Sunday was Taylor's latest big game to further show he has a legitimate case for being the NFL MVP in 2025. 

In a 38-14 domination of Tennessee, Taylor gashed the Titans for 153 yards on just 12 carries. Taylor found the end zone three times and averaged a staggering 12.8 yards per rush attempt. He also caught two passes for 21 yards as a receiver, making the absolute most out of every single touch.  

Jonathan Taylor's monster game wasn't even his best of the season 

And as amazing as Taylor was against the Titans, it was only his second-most productive performance of the season. The two-time Pro Bowler ran for 165 yards and added 50 more receiving in a Week 2 win over a strong Broncos defense. 

Through eight games, Taylor, 26, has surpassed 100 yards rushing in exactly half and scored multiple touchdowns in five. Overall, he has 850 yards and 12 touchdowns on 143 carries for an average of 5.9 yards per rush.  

As far as total yards recorded, Taylor has now posted three consecutive games with 130-plus yards. Before his 174 yards on Sunday, Taylor logged 132 in Week 7 and 137 in Week 6. He's scored a whopping seven touchdowns in those three games combined.

For a running back coming off a season in which he ran for 1,431 yards, Taylor is on a pace to have his best year yet. 

NFL history is not on Taylor's side 

While the NFL MVP usually goes to the most outstanding quarterback, Taylor has been the epitome of "most valuable" to his team. 

But no matter how great a season Taylor has, the odds are still stacked against him actually being named the MVP. The last running back to claim the honor was Adrian Peterson when the Minnesota Vikings legend ran for 2,097 yards in 2012. 

Eagles star Saquon Barkley only finished third in MVP voting despite running for 2,005 yards with 13 touchdowns last year. 

With Taylor as the latest elite running back to vie for the award, the question is now if he will be the first in over a decade to actually cap off the season with an MVP award. 

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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