Every week needs to be a big week for running back Jonathan Taylor–he is what makes this Indianapolis Colts’ offense go.
However, Taylor being able to find success against an aggressive and blitz-heavy Minnesota Vikings defense feels like a must this week.
The Vikings are entering Week 9 ranked first in blitz rate, which has played a key role in them also generating pressure at the highest rate in football as well. And it’s not only that the Vikings are extremely willing to send extra defenders–sometimes even two or three of them–but it’s how they disguise where the blitzes are coming from that adds a layer of complexity for offenses to deal with.
If the Colts struggle on early downs and fall behind the sticks, finding themselves in a number of second and third-and-long situations, that is going to play right into the hands of this Vikings defense. In those predictable passing situations, Minnesota is then able to really pin its ears back and get after Joe Flacco.
This can quickly become a vicious cycle for the offense and one that’s difficult to get out of, especially if they are trailing on the scoreboard and forced to play catch up.
On the flip side, success on the ground can give the offense the advantage with short down-and-distances opening up the playbook for Shane Steichen and Minnesota having to defend both the run and the pass on any given play.
Almost regardless of the situation, this is a defense that we are still going to see blitz–it’s just in their DNA under Brian Flores–but operating from 2nd-and-3, for example, will give the Colts’ offense the upper hand.
Indianapolis and Taylor being able to move the ball on the ground will also help the Colts control the time of possession–keeping the explosive Vikings’ passing game on the sidelines.
Opponents have struggled to get things going in the run game against Minnesota, who is allowing only 3.9 yards per carry as a defense this season, with additional rushers filling running lanes.
Taylor is having a highly productive season. He’s eclipsed 100 rushing yards in three of his last four games and is averaging 4.9 yards per rush on the year. Regardless of who the quarterback is, Taylor can still put up yards, but the Colts’ run game does lose some of its unpredictability with Flacco under center instead of Anthony Richardson.
