The biggest surprise of the 2025 NFL season is the Indianapolis Colts’ sudden rise to the top of the AFC. After years of mediocrity, they’ve overcome past limitations, with their recent success clearly tied to the offensive chemistry between quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor.
This unexpected surge began taking shape when the Indianapolis Colts signed Daniel Jones during the offseason. Although there was a healthy amount of skepticism about Jones’ performance in the NFL up until this season, his career with the New York Giants included an 84.3 quarterback rating with 70 touchdown passes and 40 interceptions. Now, with the Colts, Jones boasts a significantly better rating of 101.6, with 15 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.
A closer look at Jones’ transformation with the Colts reveals the pivotal role played by running back Jonathan Taylor. So far this season, Taylor has run the ball for 6.0 yards per carry, scoring 15 rushing touchdowns. In addition, Taylor has caught the ball out of the backfield 30 times for 260 yards and two additional touchdowns.
This dynamic between Jones and Taylor has sparked debate over which player is more important to the Colts’ turnaround. Ultimately, both players need each other to succeed. In games where Jones has struggled, including his three interceptions against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Taylor’s role has been minimized, causing Jones to resemble his earlier Giants performances. For the Colts to remain a top team, they must maintain balance between Jones’ passing game and Taylor’s running game.
