The Indianapolis Colts entered Week 9 with the best record in the NFL at 7-1 and high hopes of extending their dominance. However, the team stumbled on Sunday, falling 20-27 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a hard-fought contest that exposed several issues, most notably, Jonathan Taylor’s quiet performance.
The star running back, who has been the centerpiece of the Colts’ offense, looked out of rhythm throughout the game. He failed to produce his usual burst and struggled to make an impact on the ground.
Fans immediately began to question whether Taylor was dealing with a lingering issue. In the days leading up to the matchup, he was briefly listed on the injury report due to minor soreness, though he was cleared to play.
Jonathan Taylor MVP convo dead
Daniel Jones MVP convo dead
Jordan Love MVP convo dead
Jared Goff MVP convo dead
— Hugh Jay Nuss IV (@JayNussIV) November 2, 2025
Despite being active, Taylor appeared sluggish, leading to speculation that he may still be managing some level of discomfort. The Colts relied on him early, but his production quickly dipped as the game wore on.
Before Sunday’s loss, Taylor had been one of the most consistent running backs in the league this season. He had accumulated over 800 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, while averaging nearly five yards per carry.
His resurgence had been key to Indianapolis’ 7-1 start and had firmly placed him among the league’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year candidates. With this underwhelming outing, though, Taylor’s form and health have suddenly become points of concern for Colts fans and analysts alike.
The team will need him fully healthy and back to his usual form if they hope to maintain their status as one of the AFC’s elite squads.
Jonathan Taylor MVP Odds
Jonathan Taylor entered Week 9 as a legitimate dark-horse MVP contender, with odds hovering around +2000 on major sportsbooks. That positioned him just outside the top five favorites, an impressive feat for a non-quarterback.
However, his lackluster showing against the Steelers could take a noticeable toll on those odds. MVP races tend to favor quarterbacks, and Taylor’s best chance has always been tied to both elite production and consistent team success.
Sunday’s loss, paired with his disappointing performance, might cause sportsbooks to lengthen his odds. A single bad game isn’t fatal to his campaign, but it does hurt momentum, especially in a tightly contested field that includes standout quarterbacks across the league.
If Taylor rebounds quickly and leads the Colts to a strong finish, his MVP narrative could regain traction. But another poor performance or lingering injury concerns might shift focus to the Offensive Player of the Year race instead, where his chances remain far stronger.
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