Running back, offensive line fuel Indianapolis offense through three weeks
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Through three weeks of the 2025 season, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has made a compelling case to be the best running back in the NFL. His dominance on the ground has become the linchpin of a Colts offense that flows through his legs and the trenches up front — and early returns suggest Taylor’s resurgence is the engine that could power a serious playoff push.
Taylor enters Week 4 leading the league with 338 rushing yards on 60 carries, an average of 5.6 yards per rush. He has also scored three rushing touchdowns. Those are eye-popping numbers in isolation, but what amplifies them is how integral he has become to the Colts’ identity.
Ground game sets the tone
From Week 1, Indianapolis committed to a power-run identity. The Colts have allowed Taylor to shoulder a heavy load: 60 carries in three games, putting him among the most frequently used backs in the league so far.
In Week 2, Taylor torched the Denver Broncos for 165 rushing yards on 25 carries, adding two receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown — a 215-yard day from scrimmage. He followed that up in Week 3 against Tennessee with 102 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 17 carries, plus 16 receiving yards. That game included a 46-yard burst to the end zone.
Those numbers tell one story. The bigger story is how often the Colts lean on Taylor in critical moments. On early downs, in short-yardage, and in red-zone sets, they trust him to deliver. His patience and versatility — slipping between tacklers, bouncing outside, or catching passes out of the backfield — make him a matchup nightmare.
Because the offense leans so heavily on him, the line must gel. The Colts’ ability to consistently gain positive yards can be traced directly to the performance of their front five.
Offensive line doing the dirty work
No running back flourishes without a competent offensive line, and Indianapolis has built one that is quietly among the better units in 2025. According to Pro Football Focus, the Colts’ line ranks just inside the top five among NFL units entering Week 4.
That may come as a surprise, given the offseason shakeup. The Colts replaced longtime center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries. In their place, Tanor Bortolini has stepped in at center, and Matt Goncalves at right guard. Bortolini is young but has already shown consistency and toughness.
Meanwhile, left tackle Bernhard Raimann signed a four-year, $100 million extension this summer, a signal from the organization that it views him as a cornerstone. Raimann has been one of the better run-blocking tackles in recent seasons and continues to hold that reputation.
Guards Quenton Nelson and Goncalves, with Braden Smith rounding out the unit, have created daylight for Taylor. Analysts have begun to call some of these linemen underrated, especially Raimann, who is frequently pegged as one of the NFL’s most overlooked bookend tackles.
The cohesion is deliberate: the Colts’ staff has prioritized timing, combo blocks, and zone-scheme principles. Taylor’s patience fits that mold. When lanes close, he cuts back or bounces outside. That flexibility turns marginal gains into first downs.
Balance keeps defenses honest
Taylor’s dominance doesn’t stifle the passing game — it fuels it. As defenses commit extra bodies to stopping the run, openings emerge elsewhere.
Quarterback Daniel Jones has taken advantage. Through three games, Jones has looked efficient, limiting sacks and maximizing play-action. In the 41-20 win over Tennessee, he completed 18 of 25 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown, while Taylor’s ground game absorbed defensive focus.
The Colts as a whole boast one of the highest drive success rates in the league. In Week 3, they posted an 84.6% success rate, converting consistently on early downs and maintaining possession. Their offense ranks among the league leaders in yards per play and efficiency. That balance — run threat plus passing threat — forces defenses into uncomfortable choices every down.
When Taylor is hitting, Indianapolis doesn’t need heroics on third down. Drives stay alive, play-action looks open up, and the offense can strike quickly. In this system, the offensive line and Taylor anchor everything.
Can Taylor keep it up?
There are questions. Taylor’s workload is high. Defenses will eventually scheme to take away his favorite lanes. Injuries loom. But this is not a fluke: Taylor has had success before, and the Colts have recommitted to building around him. He is 26, still in his prime years as a running back.
What matters most is whether Indianapolis can sustain the balance. Jones must remain a credible threat, receivers must stretch the field, and the line must continue to adapt. If that happens, Taylor’s early surge could set the tone for a breakout season.
Through three weeks, Jonathan Taylor looks like not just the best running back in Indianapolis — he looks like the best running back in football. The Colts’ offense flows through his legs, powered by an ascending offensive line and balanced by a passing game that keeps defenses honest. If this keeps up, opponents will pay dearly — and the Colts will have a weapon worth building everything around.
Check Out All EasySportz NFL Content Here!
Dolphins Must Feature Waddle More!
