Cameron Ward Hails Jonathan Taylor After Titans’ Loss to Colts
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Despite a 38–14 defeat at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward was quick to praise the standout performance of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
In what has been a season of struggles for the Titans (now 1-7), the 2025 campaign has been a series of learning experiences for the rookie quarterback. However, there was one silver lining in Sunday’s defeat — Ward had a front-row seat to one of the NFL’s top running backs at the peak of his powers.
Taylor, who rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding a receiving touchdown, was the focal point of a dominant Colts offense that racked up 38 points, further solidifying Indianapolis’ position as one of the league’s top teams. Despite the Titans’ difficulties in slowing him down, Ward didn’t shy away from offering high praise for Taylor’s performance.
"Jonathan is an incredible player. He’s got the vision, the speed, and the power to make any defense look foolish," Ward said after the game. "Even though we came out on the wrong side of the score today, I have to give credit where it's due — he was a game-changer. I’m just hoping we get another shot at him later this season because he’s the type of player you want to challenge yourself against."
It’s a testament to the respect Taylor has earned around the league. The 2024 All-Pro was unstoppable in the first half, dominating both in the run game and as a receiving threat. His 80-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was a prime example of his rare combination of vision, acceleration, and power that has made him one of the most feared backs in the NFL.
The Colts’ offense has been firing on all cylinders this season, and Taylor’s performance was a crucial factor in the team’s 7-1 start. His ability to take over games and control the pace of play has been a significant advantage for Indianapolis, especially as they continue to battle through a number of defensive injuries.
For Ward and the Titans, the loss was another tough blow in what has been a tumultuous year. The Titans are in full rebuild mode, with rookie quarterback Cam Ward still adjusting to the speed and intensity of the NFL. However, Ward’s acknowledgment of Taylor’s brilliance speaks to a broader understanding of the challenge at hand.
"I’m still learning and growing in this league, but playing against a guy like Jonathan makes you understand what it takes to be great," Ward added. "We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but that’s the kind of competition I’m excited to face moving forward."
Despite the loss, Ward’s words show maturity beyond his years, recognizing the value in learning from top-tier competition. As the Titans continue to build around their young quarterback, it’s moments like these that will fuel his development — and possibly set the stage for future battles against one of the NFL’s best.
As for Jonathan Taylor, his dominance continues, and with the Colts continuing their push for a playoff spot, opponents like the Titans will have to find a way to stop him — something Ward, in his postgame comments, clearly understands will be no easy feat.
Eagles Wallop Giants, 38-20, Behind Season-Best Rushing Attack
PHILADELPHIA – Every week the question was: Is this the week Saquon Barkley breaks out?
The Eagles running back, behind a strong game from backup center Brett Toth pulling to the outside, finally had an answer – yes. Barkley ran for 150 yards on 14 carries, a 10.7 yards-per-carry average, including a 65-yard burst just 17 seconds into the start of Sunday’s game against his former team, the New York Giants, to spark the Eagles to a 38-20 win.
Barkley added a 9-yard receiving touchdown early in the second quarter. His two-score half gives him six touchdowns this season – four rushing and two receiving. However, he injured his groin on a 28-yard run in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles will have a week to heal as they enter their bye week at 6-2 and in first place in the NFC East. The Giants continue on their road to nowhere for yet another year, and still have no answers with Brian Daboll as their head coach after falling to 2-6.
Tank Bigsby Adds To Rushing Attack
It wasn’t just Barkley. Tank Bigsby cleared 100 yards, too, rushing for 104 yards on nine carries (11.6 per carry) as the Eagles ripped the New York defense for a season-best 277 yards rushing.
The last time the Eagles had two running backs over 100 yards rushing in the same game was on December 13, 2020, against the New Orleans Saints. Miles Sanders rushed for 114 yards and Boston Scott rushed for 119 yards in that game.
The win avenged a 34-17 loss to the Giants just 17 days ago, and the running game was a big part of it. The Giants held the Eagles to just 73 yards rushing in that game and a 3.7 yards-per-carry average.
The Eagles weren’t slouches in the passing game, though. Dallas Goedert caught a pair of touchdowns – from 6 yards and 17 yards. He now has seven TD catches this season, which is a new career high.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw four touchdown passes – the two to Goedert, the one to Barkley, and a 40-yard heave to Jahan Dotson, who outjumped a defender to make the grab. It was the 100th TD pass of Hurts' career. A week after posting a perfect 158.3 passer rating, he ended this one with a PR of 141.5. He has 15 this season and only one interception.
THOUGHTS
-Who needs A.J. Brown? That is said tongue-in-cheek, but the Eagles offense ran quite well without the star receiver, who missed the game with a hamstring injury. It was the first time this season the offense put up more total yards than opponent. 427-246.
-DeVonta Smith needed to step up without Brown, and he did, catching six of nine targets for 84 yards.
-What a nice play design by OC Kevin Patullo on the 17-yard TD toss to Dallas Goedert with 11:17 to play in the game. The Eagles were eating on the ground with Tank Bigsby picking up big chunks, when Jalen Hurts kept the ball on a fake handoff to Bigsby. It looked like Hurts was going to sweep the right side for a run, when he pulled up and found a wide-open Goedert to make the score 31-13.
-Speaking Bigsby, he looks like he is entrenched as Barkley’s backup, so A.J. Dillon appears to be a spare part, one who could get released to make room for players expected to come off IR after the bye – Nolan Smith and Jakorian Bennett.
-Will Shipley deserves props for returning two kickoffs for a total of 79 yards – one for 41, the other for 32 – to give the Eagles good starting field position. The Eagles used that good starting position to score the touchdown that put them up 21-10 at halftime – a 6-yard touchdown reception from Dallas Goedert.
-Jordan Davis continues to put together an underrated season. The defensive tackle notched his career-high third sack.
-Speaking of sacks, two Eagles got their first of the season – Jalen Carter and Jalyx Hunt. Until Hunt ended one Giants drive inside the red zone, forcing a field goal with 19 seconds left to pull with 24-10, he had more interceptions (1) than sacks. Zack Baun had his third, but Moro Ojomo continues to lead the team after he notched his fourth.
