However, after his amazing performance, in which he carried the ball 32 times for 185 yards and the five TDs, Taylor stressed the importance of the whole offense, not just him.
In his performance, Taylor not only propelled the Colts into the playoff hunt after the team’s slow start the season, he also racked up a host of personal milestones.
With Derrick Henry — the Tennessee Titans running back who had previously been leading the NFL in rushing yards — injured, Taylor established himself as the league’s leading rusher with 1,122 yards.
The 22-year-old also tied NFL Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson and Lydell Mitchell with an NFL-record eight consecutive games of 100-plus scrimmage yards and one-plus rushing touchdown.
Taylor became just the 18th player in NFL history to score five touchdowns, and his teammates are backing him for MVP this year.
“Great to watch him finish runs and make people miss. He’s a complete back … If there’s any skill position [for MVP], Jonathan Taylor needs to be in it. Him and [Los Angeles Rams receiver] Cooper Kupp. JT is the first in line for a non-quarterback player.”
Although his teammates might think he deserves the title, the recent history of the award might be against Taylor.
Only three non-quarterbacks have won the award in the last 20 years, the last one being running back Adrian Peterson in 2012.
The win is the Colts’ fifth in their last six games, and brings their record to 6-5 on the season.
It moves them right into the thick of the running for a playoff spot this season, while for the Bills, the defeat takes them to 6-4 on the season, meaning division rivals the New England Patriots hop above them atop the AFC East Division.