While Atlanta Falcons’ running back Bijan Robinson dominates the non-QB MVP talk, Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts deserves just as much attention. After another standout game against the Los Angeles Chargers, his impact is undeniable. And head coach Shane Steichen made it clear he fully supports Taylor’s MVP case.

When reporters asked Steichen about Taylor’s three-touchdown showing versus the Chargers, he was full of praise for his running back. “He’s the best back in the league right now, there’s no doubt. And it starts with our guys up front. He’s running hard, he’s running physical, he’s got great vision. Yeah, he’s balling out right now,” he said.

And the coach is not exaggerating.

Taylor carried the ball 16 times for 94 yards and three scores, while also catching all three of his targets for another 38 yards in the Colts’ 38-24 win. He was absolutely lethal, scoring from 23 yards out in the first quarter before adding eight and 19-yard touchdowns in the third.

That makes it three games this season where Taylor’s found the end zone three times. He’s now leading the entire NFL with 11 total touchdowns (10 on the ground, one through the air) and piling up 882 yards from scrimmage in the way. These are insane numbers.

Quarterback Daniel Jones’ resurgence has been the headline-grabber for the Colts’ hot start, but let’s not get it twisted. Taylor is the backbone behind this Colts offense. Right now, he’s the clear frontrunner for Offensive Player of the Year, though guys like Puka Nacua and Bijan Robinson are doing their best to keep it interesting.

Remember when running backs actually had a shot at the MVP award? Feels like forever ago. The trophy has basically become a quarterback-exclusive club. But if there’s one running back capable of breaking that drought and becoming the first to win MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012, it’s Jonathan Taylor.

Of course, this Colts offense isn’t just Taylor doing everything on his own. The whole unit has become a well-oiled machine, and at 6–1, Indy has cemented itself as one of the league’s top teams. If not the best.

Colts’ offense is firing on all cylinders

The offense has been lights-out. Daniel Jones is playing with confidence, the offensive line is giving him time, and the defense has been better than expected. Taylor sets the tone, yet Jones, Michael Pittman Jr., and Alec Pierce are all keeping the chains moving in big moments.

Against the Chargers, the Colts came out blazing.

They ended up scoring touchdowns on their first three drives and finding the end zone on six of their first seven possessions. Then, after the defense came up clutch with another crucial fourth-down stop, Jones put the game to bed by hitting Pierce on a 13-yard completion on third-and-10 right before the two-minute warning.

This is one of the most efficient Colts offenses we’ve seen in years. They’ve been rolling since Week 1, when they dismantled the Dolphins 33–8, and they just dropped 38 points on a strong Chargers defense like it was nothing.

Jones spread the ball around beautifully, completing passes to eight different receivers. Pittman caught seven for 58 yards and another touchdown: his 5th of the season, one shy of career high. Pierce led the team with 98 receiving yards, while Warren chipped in with four catches for 69 yards and his fourth straight game with a score.

We haven’t seen this kind of chemistry between a Colts quarterback and his receivers in ages. It’s exciting football again in Indianapolis. And if they keep this up, who knows? A Super Bowl run, their first since 2007, doesn’t sound all that far-fetched anymore.