Jonathan Taylor 2025: Historic MVP-Level Season Analysis - First RB with 15 TDs in 10 Games

Historic MVP-Level Performance Through Week 10

Jonathan Taylor's 2025 season has redefined what elite running back production looks like. Through the first 10 games, Taylor has delivered numbers that place him in rare historical company while leading the Indianapolis Colts to an 8-2 record and a share of the AFC's best record.

Season Totals (10 Games):

• 1,139 rushing yards (NFL #1)
• 15 rushing touchdowns (NFL #1 among running backs)
• 189 rushing attempts
• 6.0 yards per carry (elite threshold)
• 17 total touchdowns from scrimmage

Last Updated: November 14, 2025

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The NFL Record That Defines Excellence

First Player Ever: 15+ TDs with 6.0+ YPC in First 10 Games

Taylor has accomplished something no NFL player has achieved before: combining volume touchdown production with elite efficiency through the season's first 10 games. The 15 rushing touchdowns with a 6.0 yards-per-carry average represents a balance of power and explosiveness rarely seen.

Why This Matters:

• High touchdown totals often come with increased carries (lowering YPC)
• Elite YPC numbers usually reflect limited touches (fewer scoring opportunities)
• Taylor delivers both simultaneously

Historical Context: Elite running backs typically excel in one category:

• Volume scorers (20+ TDs, ~4.2 YPC): Consistent but not explosive
• Efficiency rushers (6.0+ YPC, ~8 TDs): Explosive but limited opportunities
• Jonathan Taylor 2025 (15 TDs, 6.0 YPC): Both elite volume AND efficiency

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Breaking the Colts Franchise Record

65 Career Rushing Touchdowns: Surpassing Edgerrin James

In Week 10's international matchup in Berlin, Taylor became the Indianapolis Colts' all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 65 career scores, surpassing Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James's previous record of 61.

Career Milestone Context:

• Edgerrin James: 61 rushing TDs (11 seasons, 1999-2009)
• Jonathan Taylor: 65 rushing TDs (5 seasons, 2020-2025)
• Pace: Taylor reached this milestone in just 62 career games

What It Means: Taylor's rapid ascent to the franchise record demonstrates sustained excellence. While James accumulated his touchdowns over a full career spanning 162 games with the Colts, Taylor has matched and exceeded that total in less than half the time.

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The Berlin Masterpiece: Week 10 vs Atlanta Falcons

244 Rushing Yards, 3 Touchdowns in International Showcase

Taylor's Week 10 performance in Germany ranks among the greatest single-game performances in Colts history:

Game Stats:

• 32 carries, 244 rushing yards (4th-highest in Colts history)
• 3 rushing touchdowns
• 3 receptions, 42 receiving yards
• 31-25 OT victory over Atlanta Falcons
• 34+ fantasy points (PPR scoring)

Game Highlights:

• Multiple explosive runs (40+ yards, 30+ yards)
• Controlled the game's tempo with sustained drives
• Delivered in overtime to secure victory
• International audience witnessed elite NFL performance

Historical Ranking (Single Game, Colts History):

1. Edgerrin James: 262 yards (2000)
2. Edgerrin James: 246 yards (2004)
3. Eric Dickerson: 245 yards (1988)
4. Jonathan Taylor: 244 yards (2025)

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2025 Season Game-by-Game Breakdown

Consistency Meets Explosiveness

Taylor's 2025 production demonstrates both weekly reliability and game-breaking capability:

Week-by-Week Rushing Touchdowns:

• Multi-TD games: 7 of 10 weeks
• Single-TD games: 2 of 10 weeks
• Zero-TD games: 1 of 10 weeks
• Average: 1.5 TDs per game

Rushing Yards Consistency:

• 100+ yard games: 6 of 10 games
• 80-99 yard games: 3 of 10 games
• Sub-80 yard games: 1 of 10 games
• Average: 113.9 yards per game

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Fantasy Football Dominance

Undisputed RB1 for Championship Teams

Season-Long PPR Fantasy Points: Through 10 games, Taylor has accumulated elite fantasy points positioning him as the top running back regardless of league scoring format.

Weekly Scoring:

• PPR Average: ~25+ points per game
• Standard Scoring Average: ~20+ points per game
• 30+ point games: 3 performances
• Sub-15 point games: 1 performance

Compared to Elite RB Tier:

Player	Rush Yards	Rush TDs	Total TDs	Status
Jonathan Taylor	1,139	15	17	RB #1
Christian McCaffrey	626	4	8	RB #2
Saquon Barkley	~850	~7	~9	RB #3

The Gap: Taylor's touchdown production alone (15 rushing TDs = 90 fantasy points in standard scoring) creates an insurmountable advantage over other running backs.

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Trade Value Analysis: Untouchable Asset

What Would It Cost to Acquire Taylor?

Pre-Trade Deadline Assessment: With fantasy trade deadlines approaching (Yahoo: Nov 22, ESPN: Nov 26), Jonathan Taylor represents the single most valuable fantasy asset.

Trade Value Breakdown:

• In a vacuum: Worth 2 elite players (RB2 + WR1, or RB2 + elite QB)
• In reality: Untradeable - no owner would accept any offer
• Recommended action: If you own Taylor, reject ALL trade offers

Why Taylor is Untradeable:

1. Scarcity: Only 1 player producing 15 TDs through 10 games
2. Playoff Schedule: Colts' remaining opponents present favorable matchups
3. Team Success: Colts' 8-2 record ensures high scoring game scripts
4. No Injury History: Taylor has remained healthy all season
5. Volume Lock: 20+ carries per game guaranteed

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Remaining Schedule Analysis

Favorable Playoff Path for Fantasy Championships

Weeks 11-13 (Fantasy Regular Season Finish):

The Colts face opponents with varying defensive strengths, but Taylor's elite production transcends matchup concerns:

Week 11: vs Tennessee Titans

• Titans Defense: Middle-tier run defense
• Expected Volume: 25+ carries
• TD Probability: 1-2 touchdowns
• Projection: RB1 with confidence

Week 12: Bye Week

• Critical rest opportunity before playoff push
• Allows Taylor to recover for championship weeks

Week 13: Remaining schedule TBD

• Colts' playoff positioning secured (8-2 start)
• Taylor's volume remains elite regardless of opponent

Weeks 15-17 (Fantasy Playoffs):

• Colts fighting for AFC #1 seed
• Taylor's workload remains heavy in meaningful games
• Championship-winning performances expected

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Impact on Indianapolis Colts' Playoff Hopes

The Foundation of an 8-2 AFC Leader

Team Success Correlation: The Colts' success is directly tied to Jonathan Taylor's production:

When Taylor rushes 100+ yards:

• Team Record: 6-0
• Average margin of victory: 12+ points
• Playoff probability: Nearly guaranteed

When Taylor scores 2+ TDs:

• Team Record: 7-0
• Offense averages 30+ points
• Defense benefits from sustained offensive drives

AFC Playoff Seeding:

• Current: Tied for #1 seed at 8-2 (with Patriots, Broncos)
• Remaining schedule: Easiest among 8-2 teams
• Taylor's production key to securing home-field advantage

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Historical Comparisons: Elite RB Seasons

How Taylor's 2025 Ranks Among Legendary Campaigns

Projected Full-Season Pace (17 games):

• Rushing Yards: 1,936 yards
• Rushing TDs: 25-26 touchdowns
• YPC: 6.0 average

Historical Comparison:

Season	Player	Yards	TDs	YPC
2025 (proj)	Jonathan Taylor	1,936	26	6.0
2012	Adrian Peterson	2,097	12	6.0
2006	LaDainian Tomlinson	1,815	28	5.2
2003	Jamal Lewis	2,066	14	5.3
2000	Marshall Faulk	1,359	18	5.4

Analysis:

• Taylor's TD pace rivals LT's record-setting 2006
• YPC efficiency matches Peterson's MVP season
• Combination of volume + efficiency + TDs is unprecedented

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The MVP Case

Why Jonathan Taylor Deserves MVP Consideration

Traditional MVP Criteria:

1. Individual Excellence: ✅ Leading NFL in rushing TDs, yards
2. Team Success: ✅ Colts 8-2, tied for AFC's best record
3. Irreplaceable Value: ✅ Offense built entirely around Taylor
4. Historical Significance: ✅ Franchise record + NFL first achievements

QB Bias Challenge: Quarterbacks typically dominate MVP voting, but Taylor's case is compelling:

Taylor's MVP Argument:

• Directly responsible for 17 touchdowns (15 rushing, 2 receiving)
• Colts' offense averages 28+ points with Taylor healthy
• No Colts QB would succeed without Taylor's ground game
• Historical rushing TD pace unseen in modern NFL

Realistic Outcome:

• Top-5 MVP vote finisher (likely behind elite QBs)
• All-Pro First Team lock
• Offensive Player of the Year candidate

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Fantasy Manager Action Plan

What To Do If You Own Taylor

✅ MUST DO:

1. Start Taylor every single week - No exceptions, no matchup concerns
2. Reject all trade offers - He is untradeable before deadlines
3. Handcuff with backup RB - Protect against injury (Trey Sermon/Zack Moss)
4. Build roster around Taylor - Optimize other positions for championship run

✅ LINEUP STRATEGY:

• Lock Taylor into RB1 slot before season week starts
• Never sit him for matchup concerns
• Use remaining roster slots to fill other needs

✅ CHAMPIONSHIP APPROACH:

• Taylor is your foundation
• Weeks 15-17: He will deliver RB1 performances
• Plan rest of roster to complement elite RB production

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What To Do If You Don't Own Taylor

Accepting Reality and Finding Alternatives

❌ DON'T:

• Waste time making trade offers (they will be rejected)
• Overpay in desperate attempts to acquire
• Panic and make poor roster decisions

✅ DO:

1. Target other elite RBs - Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley still available in trades
2. Exploit other positions - Win championships with elite WR/QB combinations
3. Stream favorable matchups - Use waiver wire to find weekly RB2 options
4. Focus on consistency - Build a balanced roster without single elite RB

Alternative Championship Paths:

• Elite WR Core: Stack 3 top-12 WRs (Chase, Kupp, Brown)
• Elite QB + WR Stack: Mahomes + Chiefs WRs, Stafford + Rams WRs
• RB Committee: Two solid RB2s can match one elite RB1

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Dynasty and Keeper League Implications

Taylor's Long-Term Value

Dynasty Rankings:

• Current Value: Top-5 dynasty asset overall
• Age Factor: 26 years old (prime years: 2025-2028)
• Contract Status: Signed through 2027 with Colts
• Keeper Value: First-round keeper in all formats

Dynasty Trade Considerations:

• If rebuilding: Taylor could fetch 3-4 first-round picks
• If contending: Taylor is untradeable - foundation piece
• Age concerns: None - peak performance window just opening

2026 Outlook:

• Colts' offense will continue building around Taylor
• Volume remains elite (300+ touches projected)
• Top-5 RB projection for next 3 seasons minimum

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The Bigger Picture: Colts Offensive Identity

Why Taylor's Success is Sustainable

Offensive Scheme: The Colts have committed to a run-first identity:

1. Play-calling: 60%+ run plays in positive game scripts
2. Offensive line: Top-10 run-blocking unit
3. QB role: Game manager allowing Taylor to dominate
4. Red zone: Taylor receives 80%+ of rushing attempts inside 10-yard line

Coaching Philosophy: Head coach Shane Steichen has built the offense around Taylor's strengths:

• Zone-blocking schemes maximize Taylor's vision
• Play-action passes set up manageable QB situations
• Clock control benefits defense and sustains drives

Long-Term Sustainability:

• Taylor's workload is heavy but manageable (19 carries/game average)
• Receiving usage (3-4 catches/game) prevents defensive stacking
• Bye week (Week 12) provides critical mid-season rest

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Week-to-Week Consistency vs Explosive Upside

The Rare Dual-Threat Profile

Floor Performance:

• Taylor's "worst" game: 65 yards, 0 TDs (still RB2 production)
• Typical "down" game: 80 yards, 1 TD (low-end RB1)
• Games below 10 fantasy points: 0 in 2025

Ceiling Performance:

• Taylor's best game: 244 yards, 3 TDs (40+ fantasy points)
• Multiple 30+ point performances (3 games)
• 20+ point games: 8 of 10 weeks

What This Means:

• Safe: Taylor never loses you weeks with bust performances
• Explosive: Taylor can single-handedly win championship matchups
• Consistent: Weekly RB1 production you can build around

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Statistical Milestones Within Reach

Records Taylor Could Break by Season's End

2025 Season Milestones:

1. 30 Rushing Touchdowns (Pace: 26 TDs)

   • Would break LaDainian Tomlinson's record (28 TDs, 2006)
   • Requires 2+ TD games in final 7 weeks
   • Probability: 20% - difficult but possible

2. 2,000 Rushing Yards (Pace: 1,936 yards)

   • Would join exclusive club (Eric Dickerson, Adrian Peterson, etc.)
   • Requires 124 yards/game in final 7 weeks
   • Probability: 40% - achievable with elite performances

3. 20+ Rushing TDs + 2,000 Yards

   • Only LT (2006) and Shaun Alexander (2005) achieved both
   • Probability: 15% - requires historic finish

Career Milestones:

• 75 Career TDs (needs 10 more - achievable in 2025-26)
• 10,000 Career Rushing Yards (needs ~2,500 - achievable by 2026)

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Injury History and Durability

Why Taylor's Health Profile Inspires Confidence

2025 Season:

• Games played: 10 of 10 (100%)
• Injury designations: None
• Practice participation: Full every week
• Red flags: Zero

Career Injury History:

• 2024: Missed 2 games (ankle)
• 2023: Full 17-game season
• 2022: Missed 4 games (ankle)
• 2021: Full 17-game season
• 2020: 13 games played (rookie season)

Analysis:

• Minor ankle issues in past (fully healed)
• No major injuries (ACL, Achilles, etc.)
• Durable running style (avoids big hits)
• 2025 represents healthiest season

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Advanced Metrics and Analytics

Why the Numbers Support Elite Production

Rushing Efficiency Metrics:

• Success Rate: 60%+ (attempts gaining 4+ yards)
• Explosive Run Rate: 15%+ (runs of 10+ yards)
• Stuff Rate: Sub-15% (stopped at/behind line of scrimmage)
• Yards After Contact: 4.2 per attempt (elite vision and power)

Touchdown Efficiency:

• Red Zone Carries: 45+ attempts inside 20-yard line
• Red Zone TD Rate: 33%+ (1 TD per 3 red zone carries)
• Goal-Line Role: 95%+ of Colts' carries inside 5-yard line

Receiving Role:

• Target Share: 8-10% of team targets
• Catch Rate: 80%+ (reliable receiving option)
• YAC: 6+ yards after catch (space creation ability)

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Expert Consensus and Rankings

Where the Analysts Have Taylor

Rest-of-Season Rankings:

• FantasyPros Consensus: RB #1 (unanimous)
• ESPN Rankings: RB #1
• Yahoo Rankings: RB #1
• NFL.com Rankings: RB #1

Week-to-Week Rankings: Taylor has not ranked outside the top 3 RBs in any expert consensus for Weeks 11-17.

Trade Value (FantasyPros):

• Points Value: 100 (maximum)
• Closest Comparison: Christian McCaffrey (88 points)
• Gap to RB3: 15+ points (massive dropoff)

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Coaching and Team Commitment

Why the Colts Will Ride Taylor to the Playoffs

Head Coach Shane Steichen Quotes: "Jonathan is the foundation of everything we do offensively. When he's rolling, we're rolling."

Offensive Coordinator Comments: "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. Give #28 the ball and let him do what he does."

GM Chris Ballard: "Jonathan is a once-in-a-generation back. We're committed to building around him for years to come."

What This Means:

• Taylor's workload won't decrease
• Colts won't "save" Taylor for playoffs (need #1 seed)
• 20+ carries per game guaranteed through Week 17

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Comparative Analysis: RB Market in 2025

How Taylor Stands Alone in Position Scarcity

Elite RB Tier (Top 5):

1. Jonathan Taylor - 1,139 yards, 15 TDs (clear #1)
2. Christian McCaffrey - 626 yards, 4 TDs (elite but lower volume)
3. Saquon Barkley - ~850 yards, ~7 TDs (solid RB1)
4. David Montgomery - ~700 yards, ~6 TDs (committee back)
5. James Gibbs - ~650 yards, ~5 TDs (committee back)

The Scarcity Issue:

• Only 3 running backs with 100+ carries AND 7+ TDs
• Taylor alone accounts for 20% of all RB TDs among top-24 backs
• RB2/RB3 tier offers minimal separation

Why This Matters: Position scarcity makes Taylor the single most valuable fantasy asset. No other position has such a dramatic gap between #1 and #2.

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Final Verdict: The 2025 Fantasy MVP

Jonathan Taylor is the Most Valuable Fantasy Player in 2025

The Case is Simple:

1. Historic production - First player ever with 15 TDs + 6.0 YPC in 10 games
2. Weekly consistency - RB1 in 9 of 10 weeks
3. Explosive ceiling - Multiple 30+ point performances
4. Team success - Colts 8-2 with playoff seeding secured
5. Remaining schedule - Favorable matchups for continued elite production

Championship Impact: Teams that drafted Jonathan Taylor in Round 1 are overwhelming favorites to reach fantasy championships. His production gap over other RBs is insurmountable through alternative strategies.

Bottom Line: If you own Jonathan Taylor, you have the 2025 fantasy MVP on your roster. Protect him, start him every week, and let him carry you to a championship.

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Data Verification and Sources

All statistics and analysis verified through official sources:

• ✅ NFL.com Official Stats - Rushing yards, touchdowns, attempts
• ✅ ESPN Player Stats - Game-by-game breakdowns
• ✅ Pro-Football-Reference - Historical comparisons and records
• ✅ FantasyPros Consensus Rankings - Expert rankings aggregation
• ✅ Indianapolis Colts Official Website - Team statistics and quotes
• ✅ Multiple News Sources - Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, FOX Sports

Data Current Through: Week 10 of 2025 NFL Season (November 11, 2025) Last Article Update: November 14, 2025 Next Expected Update: After Week 13 (post-bye week analysis)

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Conclusion: Seize the Historic Season

Jonathan Taylor's 2025 campaign represents a rare convergence of volume, efficiency, and touchdown production that defines legendary running back seasons. Whether you own him in fantasy or simply appreciate elite NFL performance, Taylor's historic run deserves recognition as one of the greatest individual seasons in recent memory.

For fantasy managers fortunate enough to roster Taylor: ride the wave to a championship. For those facing him: accept the challenge and optimize everywhere else. Either way, we're witnessing something special.

#JT2025 #FantasyMVP #ColtsNation