Indianapolis, IN—-The last few weeks Carson Wentz has kept his head down and played light outs for the Colts.
Wentz threw three touchdown passes, Jonathan Taylor rushed for 172 yards on the ground, 210 overall from the scrimmage with two touchdowns and the Indianapolis Colts beat the New York Jets 45-30 on Thursday night.
Taylor, who had a game-winning 78-yard TD run, also had two catches for 28-yards. Nyheim Hines ran for 74 yards and a score on six carries. The Colts ran through the Jets’ defense for 260 yards on the ground.
“We had a one-play drive for 75 yards or something like that and that’s the best drive you can have,” Wentz said. “He and Nyheim, those guys played unbelievable. Those guys up front, they did a tremendous job.”
After suffering a shocking overtime loss against Tennessee on Sunday, the Colts wanted to come out firing out on all cylinders.
Taylor was the catalyst for the ground attack for Indianapolis. His 21-yard TD run broke a 7-7 tie in the early in the second quarter
The Jets lost Mike White early on in the first period, and backup QB, Josh Johnson, had to enter the game to try to salvage a win. He played well overall, throwing for 317 yards for three touchdowns and a interception, plus 18-yards on the ground.
“Josh, thought he did an awesome job coming in, running the offense exactly the way it’s supposed to be played — hitting the open receiver, just moving the chains,” Saleh said. “We just need to be able to match their defensive intensity.”
With Gang Green quarterback White out with an injury, the Colts (4-5) were going to push the pedal to the ground.
Taylor’s longest run of the night made it 42-10 halfway through the third and helped the Colts finish with the highest single-game rushing total in the NFL this season.
“It takes the pressure off the passing game when you run like that,” coach Frank Reich. “But you could feel it early, you could feel us really dominating the line early.”
The Jets could not get out their own way.
Gang Green running back Ty Johnson lost a fumble near midfield and Wentz capitalized quickly with a 1-yard shovel pass to Jack Doyle for a 21-7 lead.
NY answered with a short field goal late in the first half, but Wentz roared back with an 11-yard TD dart to Michael Pittman to make it 28-10. Wentz marched back down field and hit offensive lineman Danny Pinter with a 2-yard touchdown pass to in the third quarter before Taylor scored again.
Wentz was 22 of 30 with 272 yards. Pittman had five receptions for 64 yards, while Hines caught four passes for 34-yards.
Johnson finished 27 of 41 with an pick that sealed the win for Indy. Moore caught seven passes for 84 yards and two scores.
“When he gets to the second level, I feel like it’s going to the house,” coach Frank Reich said about Taylor. “He’s just fast, strong and elusive. Playing really good.”
Jets Marcus Maye safety, who apparently tore his Achilles is out for the season and him being out of the lineup puts a major strain on the badly depleted team.
INJURY REPORT:
Jets: TE Tyler Kroft (chest) and S Marcus Maye (Achilles tendon) left and didn’t return. Saleh said it “wasn’t looking good” on Maye. Wilson (knee) and WR Corey Davis (hamstring) each sat out for a second straight game.
Colts: Four-time Pro Bowl WR T.Y. Hilton missed the game four days after hitting his head hard on the ground and entering the concussion protocol. Starting S Khari Willis went on injured reserve with an injured calf earlier Thursday. RT Braden Smith left with a triceps injury and CB Xavier Rhodes left with a calf injury.
UP NEXT:
Jets: Begin a two-game homestand against Buffalo on Nov. 14.
Colts: Play the last of three straight home games Nov. 14 against Jacksonville.
