Note to readers: This was completed around 9:30 this morning, so if anything happens later on today, I’ll update. It’s still possible Shane Steichen gets the pipe. It’s still possible a Jonathan Taylor comes down today. It’s still possible Steichen will name Anthony Richardson as the starter against the Cowboys, although I tend to doubt it. Lots can still happen today and all week. So stay tuned.
RUN OFFENSE
Predictably, the top rush defense in the league, the one belonging to the Jacksonville Jaguars, absolutely stuffed Jonathan Taylor and Seth McGowan. Taylor, who is a primary trade target and never should have seen the field (you’d know this if you read yesterday’s column) finished with 23 yards on eight carries. It was his 15th straight sub-100 yard performance, the longest drought of his career. If and when they move Taylor, I won’t be downcast at the prospect of seeing more of McGowan, who runs decisively and runs hard. Not bad for a seventh-round draft pick. My genuine hope is this: If the Colts haven’t traded Taylor by next Sunday (the trade deadline is the very next day), Taylor should not see the field. No reason to take a risk of injury and thus losing significant draft compensation from your most highly coveted player. For what it’s worth, I read the transcript of the Steichen post-game interview, and nobody asked him why he played Taylor and, to a lesser degree, Josh Downs. So maybe I’m on an island here. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Grade: F
