FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll for Week 9 has been released. Panelist Ayokunle Spencer submitted his ballot. Here is this week’s Super 16 ranking.
WEEKLY SUPER 16
FWAA-NFF SUPER 16 POLL (Week 10 – Oct. 31)
Ayokunle Spencer (Panel)
WEEKLY SUPER 16
POLL
1 Ohio State
2 Texas A&M
3 Indiana
4 Alabama
5 Oregon
6 Georgia
7 Ole Miss
8 BYU
9 Virginia
1 0 Louisville
1 1 Texas Tech
1 2 Texas
1 3 Oklahoma
1 4 Vanderbilt
1 5 Georgia Tech
1 6 Notre Dame
On Thursday Night Football, the 2–5 Baltimore Ravens traveled to Miami to face the 2–6 Dolphins in a matchup between two struggling AFC teams looking to salvage their seasons. Baltimore made a statement on both sides of the ball, led by the return of star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had been sidelined since Week 5 with a hamstring injury. Jackson looked sharp, completing 18 of 23 passes for four touchdowns against a Dolphins defense that has been one of the league’s worst all year.
Photo Cred: ThePress.Net
The win moves the Ravens closer to contention in the AFC North, and with one of the softer remaining schedules in the division, they now have a realistic chance to make a late-season push—especially with the Steelers likely to fall to 4–4 after facing the powerhouse Indianapolis Colts. While the offensive explosion was expected with Jackson back, the real story was the Ravens’ defense.
After a rough start to the season, Baltimore’s defense has turned a corner, holding opponents to 17 points or fewer in three straight games—including just three points allowed to Miami. If this defensive resurgence continues, the Ravens could be in position not only to win the division but also to make some noise in the playoffs. On the other side, the Dolphins are in complete disarray.
Following the 22-point loss, the team fired general manager Chris Grier as Miami fell to 2–7. Despite heavy speculation about his job security, head coach Mike McDaniel is expected to remain in place for the rest of the season. Miami’s issues, however, extend beyond coaching—the roster lacks depth and star power, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has failed to live up to his massive $50 million per year contract.
Photo Cred: Dolphins
His poor play, coupled with questionable public comments, has only added to the turmoil. With limited talent, front-office turnover, and an uninspiring upcoming quarterback draft class, the Dolphins face an uncertain future. A full rebuild may be on the horizon, and trading down in the draft to accumulate assets could be the only viable path toward long-term stability.
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| NEW YORK — Oct. 30, 2025 — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones, and Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz are the AFC Players of the Month for October (Weeks 5-8).
OFFENSE: RB JONATHAN TAYLOR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
DEFENSE: CB MARCUS JONES, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
SPECIAL TEAMS: K WIL LUTZ, DENVER BRONCOS
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| For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com |
| NEW YORK — Oct. 30, 2025 — New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Teddye Buchanan are the NFL Rookies of the Month for October (Weeks 5-8).
OFFENSE: QB JAXSON DART, NEW YORK GIANTS
DEFENSE: LB TEDDYE BUCHANAN, BALTIMORE RAVENS
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| For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com |
Three teams had their sights on the College Football Playoffs since the early offseason, but underdogs and upsets have left these national powerhouses speechless and coachless. Their next question to answer – who do we hire now? Not many people are happy in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. Penn State began the season ranked second, only behind Texas, when Oregon gave them their first loss of the season in week 4. Losing yet another top 10 matchup, head coach James Franklin was reminded he struggles to win the biggest games of the season.
Photo Cred: Mike Farrell Sports
The following week, the Nittany Lions traveled out west to visit the 0-4 UCLA Bruins, who had just fired their head coach and made Jerry Neuheisel, the tight ends coach, their new offensive coordinator just two days before the game. And with hardly anyone in the stands to watch, UCLA jumped to a commanding 27-7 lead, and held on until the final whistle. And to top things off, Penn State then hosts Northwestern the following week and starting quarterback Drew Allar goes down with an injury. Losing to the Wildcats, and losing 3 consecutive games shattered national championship dreams and Franklin was promptly fired after 12 seasons.
Down south, the struggles are alive and well. In Gainesville, Florida, the Gators were looking for their first playoff appearance. But the trials began before they entered conference play when they were upset in week 2 against the South Florida Bulls. Then dropping the next two games to LSU and Miami, they found a glimmer of hope when they beat Texas. Then a week later they fell to 2-4 after getting boatraced by Texas A&M. That seemed to be the final straw but the head coach Billy Napier was fired the next week after beating Mississippi State.
And in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, LSU head coach Brian Kelly got all the praise for beating Clemson in the first game of the year. Starting the year 4-0, the Tigers stumbled for the first time after losing to Ole Miss. Two weeks later, they were upset by Vanderbilt. And hosting Texas A&M, at night, was supposed to be a season defining win but quickly turned into an embarrassment. The day after losing 49-25, Kelly was fired and said his final goodbyes after 3 full seasons.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
And the most important decision for each school is deciding who is up next. A lot of eyes turned to Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. He has an impressive coaching career across the nation and has won in many different settings. The attraction of either LSU or Florida is appealing; both schools are desperate for a coach that can salvage what’s left and keep the program at its highest level.
Another name being thrown around is Clark Lea at Vanderbilt. It’s been a very long time since Vanderbilt has been this high in the AP Poll and it’s all because of him. Many are wondering what he can do with a team with more prestige, better recruiting, and more funding.
Finally, another SEC coach is Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri. He has established a winning culture at a school that has been down for a while and is making the push to keep Mizzou as a highly competitive team that can hang with anyone. And again, the questions are about what he can do if he gets more resources to work with.
NEW YORK — Oct. 29, 2025 — Below are the players that can set historic marks or reach career milestones in Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season, including:
JOSH ALLEN
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen had three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) last week, his 46th career game with both a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown, surpassing Cam Newton (45 games) for the most such games in NFL history.
Allen has five rushing touchdowns in 2025 and on Sunday against Kansas City (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), can become the first quarterback and fourth player ever with at least six rushing touchdowns in each of his first eight career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Additionally, with a rushing touchdown, Allen can become the first quarterback and sixth player ever with at least six rushing touchdowns in eight consecutive seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk (10 consecutive seasons from 1994-2004), LaDainian Tomlinson (10 from 2001-10), Jim Brown (nine from 1957-65) and Thurman Thomas (eight from 1989-96) as well as Derrick Henry (eight from 2018-25).
The players with the most consecutive seasons with at least six rushing touchdowns in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS |
| Marshall Faulk HOF | Indianapolis, St. Louis Rams | 10 (1994-2004) |
| LaDainian Tomlinson HOF | San Diego Chargers, N.Y. Jets | 10 (2001-10) |
| Jim Brown HOF | Cleveland | 9 (1957-65) |
| Derrick Henry | Tennessee, Baltimore | 8 (2018-25) |
| Thurman Thomas HOF | Buffalo | 8 (1989-96) |
| Josh Allen | Buffalo | 7* (2018-24) |
| *has five rushing touchdowns in 2025 | ||
PATRICK MAHOMES
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 299 yards and three touchdowns with a 104.9 passer rating last week, his third straight game with at least three touchdown passes.
Mahomes has 46 career games with at least three touchdown passes and at Buffalo on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (46 games) for the most such games by a player in his first nine seasons in NFL history.
With a passer rating of 100-or-higher on Sunday, Mahomes can surpass Matt Ryan (61 games) for the third-most games with a passer rating of 100-or-higher in his first nine career seasons, trailing only Russell Wilson (74 games) and Dak Prescott (63).
The players with the most games with a passer rating of 100-or-higher in their first nine seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | GAMES |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle | 74 |
| Dak Prescott | Dallas | 63 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 61* |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 61 |
| *in ninth season | ||
Mahomes has 49 career games with at least 300 passing yards, the most by a player in his first nine seasons in NFL history. With his next 300-yard performance, he can become the sixth quarterback all-time with at least 50 such games in his first 12 career seasons.
The players with the most games with at least 300 passing yards in their first 12 seasons in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Drew Brees | San Diego Chargers, New Orleans | 67 |
| Matt Ryan | Atlanta | 64 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 56 |
| Kurt Warner HOF | St. Louis Rams, Arizona | 52 |
| Kirk Cousins | Washington, Minnesota | 50 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 49* |
| *in ninth season | ||
DRAKE MAYE
New England quarterback Drake Maye is the first player in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 135-or-higher in five of his team’s first eight games of a season and has at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in each of his past seven starts.
With at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in Week 8, Maye can become the first player under the age of 24 and fourth player in NFL history to record at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in eight consecutive games, joining Aaron Rodgers (12 consecutive games in 2011 and eight in 2020), Tom Brady (eight in 2007) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (eight in 2004)
The players with at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating 100-or-higher in the most consecutive games within a single season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2011 | 12 |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2007 | 8 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis | 2004 | 8 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay | 2020 | 8 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2018 | 7 |
| Drake Maye | New England | 2025 | 7* |
| *active streak | |||
AARON RODGERS
Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers is tied for third in the NFL with 16 touchdown passes, including five games with multiple touchdown passes this season.
With two touchdown passes on Sunday against Indianapolis (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Rodgers can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (165 games) for the third-most games with multiple touchdown passes in NFL history. Only Tom Brady (204 games) and Drew Brees (173) have more.
The players with the most games with at least two touchdown passes in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Tom Brady | New England, Tampa Bay | 204 |
| Drew Brees | San Diego Chargers, New Orleans | 173 |
| Peyton Manning HOF | Indianapolis, Denver | 165 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay, N.Y. Jets, Pittsburgh | 165 |
MATTHEW STAFFORD
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, in Week 7 before the team’s Week 8 bye, recorded his fifth career game with five touchdown passes and ranks tied for first with 17 touchdown passes this season.
On Sunday against New Orleans (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX), Stafford – who has only thrown two interceptions in 2025 – can become the fifth different player with at least 20 touchdown passes and three-or-fewer interceptions in his first eight games of a season, joining Tom Brady (2007 and 2015), Patrick Mahomes (2020), Aaron Rodgers (2011 and 2020) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Y.A. Tittle (1963).
The players with at least 20 touchdown passes and three-or-fewer interceptions in their first eight games of a season in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | PASS TDs | INTs |
| Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City | 2020 | 21 | 1 |
| Aaron Rodgers MVP | Green Bay | 2020 | 24 | 2 |
| Tom Brady | New England | 2015 | 22 | 2 |
| Aaron Rodgers MVP | Green Bay | 2011 | 24 | 3 |
| Tom Brady MVP | New England | 2007 | 30 | 2 |
| Y.A. Tittle MVP / HOF | N.Y. Giants | 1963 | 23 | 3 |
| Matthew Stafford | L.A. Rams | 2025 | 17* | 2* |
| *in first seven games | ||||
JONATHAN TAYLOR
Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor totaled 174 scrimmage yards (153 rushing, 21 receiving) and three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) last week and joined Gene ‘Choo-Choo’ Roberts (1949 with the New York Giants) as the only players all-time with three touchdowns in four of his first eight games of a season.
Taylor can become the fourth player in NFL history with at least three touchdowns in five games in a single season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (six games in 2006) and Marshall Faulk (five in 2000) as well as Chuck Foreman (five in 1975).
Taylor leads the NFL with 850 rushing yards and 14 scrimmage touchdowns this season and on Sunday at Pittsburgh (1 p.m. ET, CBS), can become the sixth player since 1990 and first since 2006 (Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson) with at least 900 rushing yards and 15 scrimmage touchdowns in his first nine games of a season.
The players with at least 900 rushing yards and 15 scrimmage touchdowns in their first nine games of a season since 1990:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | RUSH YARDS | SCRIMMAGE TDs |
| LaDainian Tomlinson HOF | San Diego Chargers | 2006 | 932 | 18 |
| Shaun Alexander | Seattle | 2005 | 1,114 | 17 |
| Priest Holmes | Kansas City | 2002 | 908 | 16 |
| Terrell Davis HOF | Denver | 1998 | 1,219 | 16 |
| Emmitt Smith HOF | Dallas | 1995 | 1,137 | 16 |
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis | 2025 | 850* | 14* |
| *in first eight games | ||||
JA’MARR CHASE
Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL with 70 receptions and has 38 receptions in his past three games, tied with Michael Thomas (38 receptions from Weeks 1-3 in 2018 with New Orleans) for the most receptions in a three-game span in NFL history.
On Sunday against Chicago (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Chase – who had 10 receptions in Week 6, 16 receptions in Week 7 and 12 receptions in Week 8 – can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson (Weeks 13-16, 2012 with Detroit) as the only players in NFL history with at least 10 receptions in four consecutive games.
Additionally, Chase can become the fourth player ever with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in 20 games in his first five seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Lance Alworth (24 games), Randy Moss (24) and Jerry Rice (21).
Chase has 15 career games with at least 125 receiving yards since entering the NFL in 2021 and with 125 receiving yards in Week 9, can tie Odell Beckham Jr. (16 games) and A.J. Brown (16) for the fourth-most such games by a player in his first five seasons in the Super Bowl era.
The players with the most games with at least 125 receiving yards in their first five seasons in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | GAMES |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota | 23 |
| Randy Moss HOF | Minnesota | 17 |
| Julio Jones | Atlanta | 17 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | New York Giants | 16 |
| A.J. Brown | Tennessee, Philadelphia | 16 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati | 15* |
| *in fifth season | ||
TEE HIGGINS
Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins had his fourth touchdown reception of the season last week and since Week 5 of the 2024 season, has at least one touchdown reception in eight consecutive home games.
On Sunday against Chicago (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Higgins can become the third player all-time with a touchdown reception in nine consecutive home games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Cris Carter (10 consecutive home games with Minnesota from 2000-01) and Jerry Rice (nine with San Francisco from 1989-90).
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA
Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba – at 23 years old – leads the NFL with 819 receiving yards and has at least 75 receiving yards in each of his seven games this season.
With 81 receiving yards on Sunday Night Football at Washington (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), Smith-Njigba can join Pro Football Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce (938 receiving yards in 1995) as the only players under the age of 24 with at least 900 receiving yards in their first eight games of a season in NFL history.
Additionally, with 75 receiving yards in Week 9, Smith-Njigba can become the fifth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 75 receiving yards in each of his first eight games of a season, joining Antonio Brown (first nine games in 2014), Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin (first nine in 1995), Dwight Clark (first eight in 1982) and Adam Thielen (first eight in 2018).
The players with at least 75 receiving yards in the most consecutive games to begin a season in the Super Bowl era:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Antonio Brown | Pittsburgh | 2014 | 9 |
| Michael Irvin HOF | Dallas | 1995 | 9 |
| Dwight Clark | San Francisco | 1982 | 8 |
| Adam Thielen | Minnesota | 2018 | 8 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seattle | 2025 | 7* |
| *active streak | |||
TREY MCBRIDE
Arizona tight end Trey McBride, in Week 7 before the team’s Week 8 bye, recorded his sixth career game with at least 10 receptions, the most such games by a tight end in his first four seasons in NFL history. This season, he ranks second among tight ends with 47 receptions and since Week 17 last season, has at least five receptions in nine consecutive games.
On Monday Night Football at Dallas (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC), McBride can become the third tight end in NFL history with at least five receptions in 10 consecutive games, joining Travis Kelce (15 consecutive games in 2018 and 11 from 2020-21) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez (13 from 2008-09),
The tight ends with the most consecutive games with at least five receptions in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASON(S) | GAMES |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 2018 | 15 |
| Tony Gonzalez HOF | Kansas City, Atlanta | 2008-09 | 13 |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 2020-21 | 11 |
| Trey McBride | Arizona | 2024-25 | 9* |
| Jason Witten | Dallas | 2012 | 9 |
| *active streak | |||
TRAVIS KELCE
Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce had 99 receiving yards and his 100th career touchdown reception (including the postseason) last week, one of four tight ends all-time with at least 100 career touchdown receptions, including the playoffs.
Kelce ranks second among tight ends with 474 receiving yards this season and with 26 receiving yards at Buffalo in Week 9 (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), can become the fourth tight end all-time with at least 500 receiving yards in 12 career seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Gonzalez (16 consecutive seasons) and Antonio Gates (13) as well as Jason Witten (15).
The tight ends with the most seasons with at least 500 receiving yards in NFL history:
| PLAYER | TEAM(S) | SEASONS |
| Tony Gonzalez HOF | Kansas City, Atlanta | 16 |
| Jason Witten | Dallas | 15 |
| Antonio Gates HOF | San Diego Chargers | 13 |
| Rob Gronkowski | New England | 11 |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City | 11* |
| Shannon Sharpe HOF | Denver, Baltimore | 11 |
| *has 474 receiving yards in 2025 | ||
BYRON YOUNG
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young ranks third in the NFL with a career-high nine sacks this season and since Week 17 last season, has at least a half sack in nine consecutive games.
With a half sack on Sunday against New Orleans (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX), Young can become the sixth player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with at least half a sack in each of his first eight games of a season.
The players with at least half a sack in the most consecutive games to begin a season since 1982:
| PLAYER | TEAM | SEASON | GAMES |
| Jared Allen HOF | Minnesota | 2011 | 9 |
| Everson Griffen | Minnesota | 2017 | 8 |
| Dwight Freeney HOF | Indianapolis | 2009 | 8 |
| Robert Mathis | Indianapolis | 2005 | 8 |
| Shaun Ellis | N.Y. Jets | 2003 | 8 |
| Byron Young | L.A. Rams | 2025 | 7* |
| *active streak | |||
Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com
The Right Decision
When Jonathan Taylor committed to the University of Wisconsin on November 1st, 2016, Badger fans around the country were excited to see the next great Wisconsin running back. Not only did Wisconsin get a top-20 running back recruit, but he committed after breaking his verbal commitment to home-state Rutgers University. After visiting Madison October 15th, Taylor removed all Rutgers from his socials, and later officially decommitted on October 29th. Days later he was a Badger.
As a freshman, Taylor went beyond expectations early, rushing for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns in his second ever game in a 31-14 win against Florida Atlantic. Taylor would go on to run for 175+ rushing yards three times in Big Ten play, finishing the season with 1977 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. His sophomore season was as good as a sophomore jump that you could have asked for, leading the country in rushing yards, ending the season with 2194 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Photo Cred: Bleacher Report
Entering Taylor’s junior season and eyeing potentially declaring for the NFL draft, Taylor knew he had to have his best season yet. He worked the offseason working on his receiving skills, to become a dual-threat back, and it all paid off. Taylor led the Badgers to a ten win season and a Rose Bowl appearance. He ended the season with 2003 rushing yards and a career high 21 touchdowns, but also added 252 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He ended the season 5th in Heisman votes, and was a unanimous All-American. A couple days after the Rose Bowl, Taylor declared for the NFL draft by no surprise to fans.
The Perfect Situation
To a surprise, Taylor wasn’t the first running back selected, and wasn’t even selected in the first round. After watching two running backs go before him, Jonathan Taylor heard his name called 41st by the Indianapolis Colts, hoping to be the franchise running back for years to come. He joined a team that had the second best run blocking grade of any offensive line the season before, headlined by superstar guard Quentin Nelson.
From the jump, the pairing seemed like a home run hit, rushing for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns, being named First Team All Rookie. But more was expected, and Taylor entered his second season ready to avoid a sophomore slump. Taylor broke out, leading the league in rushing yards with 1,811 yards, while also leading with 18 rushing touchdowns. He was subsequently named a Pro Bowler and a First-team All-Pro. He tied the NFL record for consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown with 8, and broke the record of youngest players with 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns in a season. Everything was in line for Jonathan Taylor to repeat his success and push for an Offensive Player of The Year award, but that didn’t happen.
Photo Cred: CNN
Injuries Suck
Taylor started his 2022 campaign strong with 161 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. But late in the fourth quarter of week 4 against the Titans somebody landed on Taylor’s ankle, which forced him to miss his first NFL game of his career. In Week 15 he reinjured the same ankle, spraining it and ultimately being put on the IR, ending his season. He ended with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns in eleven games.
On August 29th, 2023, Taylor was placed on the physically unable to perform list with complications from his ankle. During this period, it was reported that the standoff with his contract worsened, with Taylor requesting a trade after meeting with the Colts owner Jim Irsay. Taylor was unhappy with his contract and either wanted it fixed or a change of scenery. After four weeks of stalled negotiations, Taylor was activated off the PUP list and signed a three-year, 42 million dollar extension. He also injured his thumb which required surgery, and forced him to miss weeks 13-15. In the season finale however, he rushed for a season high 188 yards and a touchdown against the Texans. He finished the season with 741 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
The Resurgence
Entering 2024, Jonathan Taylor was ready to make his comeback. After struggling with injuries after signing a massive extension, he needed to remind fans why they paid that money. Jonathan Taylor had his best season since the 2021 season, rushing for over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns, and being named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career. Still, Taylor missed games with an ankle injury stemming back to the previous seasons. The offseason was about getting that ankle right.
“I know what I can do when I’m healthy.”
The 2025 offseason was a big one for the Indianapolis Colts that saw change. The biggest addition was Daniel Jones from Minnesota to be their starting quarterback over Anthony Richardson. The Colts entered the season as heavy favorites, -400, to win the AFC South.
So far, the Colts have been the talk of the league. They opened Week 1 with a 33-8 domination over the Dolphins, and followed it with wins in Weeks 2 & 3 with Taylor having a combined 338 yards and three touchdowns in the 3-0 start. Since then, the Colts as a team have been elite. They have started the season going 7-1 in large parts to Taylor’s performances including the game winning touchdown against the Cardinals and five total touchdowns in two games versus Tennessee. Jonathan Taylor is currently leading the NFL in rushing yards with 850, while also leading with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Looking ahead of the Colts schedule, they do not play very many teams that have good run stopping defenses. The Colts already have the best record in the NFL, and there is a real possibility that they win 6-8 of their remaining games with Taylor leading the way. He is on pace for over 1700 yards and over 25 touchdowns, which is putting him really close to the all-time season mark of 28 held my LaDanian Tomlinson.
Jonathan Taylor has managed to prove to the entire NFL he is, and has been the best running back in the NFL. Injuries stop most players, specifically running backs from having long careers, and with running backs being the most replaceable position, it is hard to fight your way back. Taylor has proven his work ethic will not let him down and he is the face of running backs in the league and is continuing to be for the rest of his career.
| NEW YORK — Oct. 29, 2025 — Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, and a pair of Tampa Bay Buccaneers – linebacker Anthony Nelson and kicker Chase McLaughlin – are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 8 (October 23, 26-27).
OFFENSE: QB JORDAN LOVE, GREEN BAY PACKERS
DEFENSE: LB ANTHONY NELSON, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
SPECIAL TEAMS: K CHASE MCLAUGHLIN, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
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| For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com |
| NEW YORK — Oct. 29, 2025 — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks and New York Jets wide receiver Isaiah Williams are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 8 (October 23, 26-27).
OFFENSE: RB JAMES COOK, BUFFALO BILLS
DEFENSE: LB JORDYN BROOKS, MIAMI DOLPHINS
SPECIAL TEAMS: WR ISAIAH WILLIAMS, NEW YORK JETS
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| For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com |
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