The problem with the NFL MVP is its quarterback bias doesn’t allow for serious consideration for other positions.
Quarterbacks have won 9 of the last 10 MVPs, the sole non-QB being Adrian Peterson in 2012.
Last season voters sadly overlooked Henry’s importance to the Titans and overall dominance. He was voted Offensive Player of the Year, ahead of Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen. Yet in the MVP voting, despite Henry rushing for 2,027 yards and 17 TDs, only the latter three received votes, Rodgers winning it all.
This year voters need to shed their QB bias and check out Indianapolis Colts running back, Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor has been a monster all year, especially in big games like last night against the Patriots.
With a little over two minutes remaining in the game, the Colts held a 20-17 lead and fans were on edge because the Patriots had mounted one of their typical fourth quarter comebacks. All they had to do was stop Indianapolis and get the ball back.
Jonathan Taylor had other ideas though.
He started left and then juked two Patriots’ defenders with a nasty cut right and sprinted 67 yards to the house to seal the game for the Colts.
Lucas Oil Stadium erupted not only because of the excitement of the moment but also because of the magnitude of the win.
It was the Colts’ fifth win in six games and ended an eight-game losing streak against the hated Patriots. Even more importantly, the win solidified their playoff hopes.
The emotional win also elevated Jonathan Taylor as a legitimate MVP candidate.
Up until his game-sealing run, Taylor had 103 yards rushing on 28 attempts, yardage on par with his season average. But his ability to turn a simple run into a “take it to the house” moment separates him from the pack.
Taylor, the NFL’s rushing leader, has 1,518 yards and 17 TDs. He’s averaging 108.4 yards per game, 5.6 yards per rush and 19.3 rushing attempts per game. His closest competitor is Joe Mixon (1,036 yards heading into Sunday’s game) and only trails the injured Derrick Henry in average rushing yards per game (117.1).
But more significant is Taylor’s importance to his team, for without him they would surely have a losing record. Take last night for instance.
Carson Wentz was a mind-numbing 5-12 for 57 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
After Wentz’s interception tipped the momentum in New England’s favor, coach Frank Reich turned the team back over to Jonathan Taylor, and he delivered.
This exemplified the Colts’ mentality and further proved just how valuable Jonathan Taylor is.
Whenever they overlooked the run and emphasized Wentz this season, the Colts were in trouble. When they finally regained their senses and went back to Taylor, the pendulum swung back in the team’s favor.
This was evident at the start of the season when Taylor averaged 57 rushing yards per game and the team started 0-3. Then they focused on running in the fourth game, Taylor rushed for 103 yards and the Colts got their first win.
It’s no coincidence that when Taylor rushes for 100+ yards the Colts are 8-0. Imagine if, in some of their six losses, they let Taylor go off instead of leading with Wentz. They would definitely have a better record than 8-6.
Jonathan Taylor has now scored a rushing TD in eleven straight games, one shy of tying LaDainian Tomlinson’s record of 12 set in 2004. On Saturday night he did it against a Patriots team that leads the league with only 7 rushing TDs allowed.
While Taylor’s season doesn’t overshadow the performances of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, it’s a beacon signaling voters to acknowledge how good Taylor is and how valuable he is to his team.
After the game, fans serenaded Taylor with chants of “M-V-P, M-V-P!”
Are you paying attention voters?
