Jonathan Taylor wasn't dropping the pigskin prematurely this time.
After a weaving, 65-yard touchdown sprint in the second quarter Sunday against Tennessee, the Indianapolis Colts running back not only made sure he crossed the goal line with the ball, but he took it all the way up the tunnel, Bo Jackson-style.
In Week 15, Taylor released the ball a fraction before entering the end zone against the Denver Broncos, turning a lead-extending score into a touchback turnover that completely changed the tenor of the game in an eventual loss.
Sunday, Taylor was out to make up for the error.
"Like I said, that was something that never happened before and would never happen again," Taylor said, via the Associated Press. "I already had predetermined in my mind, next time, I was going all the way through the tunnel."
Taylor streaked through the Titans defense all afternoon. After his 65-yard score, he went longer, adding a 70-yarder to open the third quarter. In all, Taylor earned three touchdowns as the Colts built a 38-7 lead in the third quarter before the Titans made it interesting late. Indy hung on for a 38-30 win.
Taylor blasted off for 218 rushing yards with three scores on 29 carries. The Colts generated a franchise-record 335 rushing yards. They broke the club record of 318 set in Week 5, 1956 -- when Dwight Eisenhower resided in the White House.
"You want to be able to run it every game, but, obviously, it was going good today and guys were popping it," coach Shane Steichen said. "Single-game (franchise) record? Incredible. It's fun to watch."
A week ago, Taylor's fumble short-circuited the Colts, who wouldn't score another point against Denver, and crippled their playoff chances. This week, his second-quarter blastoff was part of a 38-0 run for Indy over the second and third quarters.
With Anthony Richardson attempting just 11 total passes (completing seven for 131 yards with a TD and an INT), the Colts did not hide their intentions to pound the Titans into submission. At one point, Indy ran on 12 consecutive plays over three possessions in the second quarter.
"That's kind of the exciting part," Taylor said. "It's kind of when you start imposing your will, establishing that line of scrimmage. Those are the types of football games as a running back you love."
Sunday marked the first time that Taylor had 29 totes since Week 15, 2021. The 218 yards were the second-most of his career (253 in Week 17, 2020 vs. Jacksonville). Taylor has generated 10 games with two-plus touchdowns; only Edgerrin James (15) has more in Colts history.
The win kept Indy's playoff hopes alive. Next Gen Stats gives the Colts (7-8) a 15% chance to make the postseason. With two games remaining -- at Giants, vs. Jaguars -- Indy needs to win out and get help to get into the tournament.
