Jonathan Taylor will need to carry the Colts without Carson Wentz
If the Indianapolis Colts are going to make the 2021 playoffs, Jonathan Taylor is going to need to carry the team like never before.
The Indianapolis Colts currently have a 9-6 record and if the 2021 season ended today, they would be in the playoffs.
Things are so tight in the AFC right now, and the margin for error is razor-thin. That is why the latest bit of news the Colts received is most ill-timed and unwelcomed.
The team is going to have to win in Week 17 action without starting quarterback Carson Wentz, who is out a mandatory 10 days on the COVID/reserve list.
Carson Wentz out for Colts, time for MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor to step up
With Carson Wentz out Sunday, Indy’s playoff hopes now figure to rest with QB Sam Ehlinger. https://t.co/Kap2JlIZk9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2021
While rookie Sam Ehlinger will start for the Colts in a massive game against the Las Vegas Raiders at home on Sunday, I would beg to differ with Schefter’s statement here.
Ehlinger might be the QB, but the Colts’ playoff hopes rest firmly with their MVP candidate, running back Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor is going to need to carry this Colts team like never before.
Taylor already has 1,626 rushing yards this season along with 17 rushing touchdowns. He’s also added 36 receptions and another pair of scores as a receiver.
The Colts may not be able to throw the ball a ton against the Las Vegas Raiders, but they also might not have to.
Taylor has proven this season that he can put the Colts on his back, and he’s going to need to do that now more than ever with the team’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
Losing Wentz is certainly not ideal, but it might wind up being a blessing in disguise for the Colts. Don’t be surprised to see 35 or more carries going to Taylor in this game against a Raiders run defense that has certainly not been a brick wall this season.
The Colts have proven under head coach Frank Reich that they are an extremely well-coached, well-rounded team. Not having Carson Wentz for a week is absolutely not ideal, but the identity of this team offensively is not dependant on Wentz at this point.
It is, however, dependant on Jonathan Taylor.
This game could cement Taylor’s MVP candidacy for the 2021 regular season. If he goes out and has a huge game against the Raiders and the Colts win, you can all but put it in permanent ink.