Jonathan Taylor could win the NFL’s rushing triple crown (leading the league in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns.) The Indianapolis Colts running back is leading the league with 143 carries, 850 rushing yards, and 12 touchdowns this year.
Taylor was great during the Colts’ recent win over the Tennessee Titans. He rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns, including a spectacular 80-yard run. He also had a touchdown catch in the 38-14 victory.
Nobody expected the Colts to be a good team this season. Yet, they’ve shocked everyone, owning the best record in the NFL (7-1).
Taylor, of course, has been instrumental in Indy’s success. The former Wisconsin Badger is playing like an MVP. Impressively, he’s on pace for 2,244 scrimmage yards. He’s also one of only 10 players in history to record at least 14 touchdowns and 1,050 scrimmage yards through eight games.
It’s unlikely that Taylor will win MVP. A non-quarterback hasn’t won the award since 2012 (Adrian Peterson). But winning the triple crown, though, could certainly happen.
Three Is the Magic Number: Colts Star Jonathan Taylor Could Win Triple Crown
Triple Crown Winners in NFL History
In 1937, Washington’s Cliff Battles won the first-ever NFL running back triple crown. He led the league with 216 carries, 874 yards, and five touchdowns that year.
Three players won the triple crown in the 1940s: Bill Paschal (twice), Spec Sanders (twice), and Steve Van Buren (three times). Arguably the greatest running back of all time, Jim Brown won it twice in the 1950s and twice during the 1960s.
The 1970s saw O.J. Simpson (1973 and 1975) and Walter Payton (1977) capture the triple crown. In ‘73, Simpson put up the league’s first-ever 2,000-yard season and also won an MVP award.
After Earl Campbell and Charles White won the triple crown during the 1980s, Emmitt Smith (1995) was the only one to do it during the 1990s. It’s surprising that neither Barry Sanders nor Terrell Davis, both of whom were MVPs during the decade, ever achieved it.
Shaun Alexander (2005) was the lone winner during the 2000s. Then DeMarco Murray, Adrian Peterson, and current Baltimore Ravens star Derrick Henry did it during the 2010s. Meanwhile, Henry (2020) and Taylor (2021) have accomplished it so far this decade.
Will Taylor Accomplish the Feat?
Without a doubt, Jonathan Taylor is capable of winning the triple crown this year. He has already done it before. Taylor was phenomenal during that 2021 season. He had 332 carries, rushing for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns. In addition, he finished behind Cooper Kupp for Offensive Player of the Year honors.
However, for Taylor to win another triple crown, he must stay healthy. After playing all 17 games in 2021, he missed a combined 16 games from 2022 to 2024.
Again, the Colts are playing fantastic football this season. They own the best record in the league and will look to win their first AFC South title since 2014. And who knows, perhaps they’ll make their first Super Bowl appearance since the 2009 season.
Also, they could realistically win their first Super Bowl since the 2006 campaign. It’s certainly possible.
However far they go, the Colts will need their franchise player, Jonathan Taylor in the lineup.
Expect Taylor to finish with an MVP-caliber season. And look for him to win the second triple crown of his career.
Main Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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