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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs past Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton (50) during the first half an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Indianapolis. AP Photo/AJ Mast
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor leapt into the MVP race on Sunday amid a 34–10 blowout win over the Tennessee Titans.
Taylor ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns, which included an 80-yard touchdown run. He helped the Colts improve to 7–1 as the AFC’s top team—a squad few anticipated as the conference’s frontrunner this season.
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has been a big part of that success story, which has seen the team’s best start since 2009, when Hall of Famer Peyton Manning led the way to a Super Bowl win. Jones had his way on Sunday against the Titans’ defense, passing for 272 yards and three touchdowns.
Young QBs Are Ascending
While Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward showed he has a long way to go, other young quarterbacks continued their respective ascents on Sunday.
New England Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye continued to shine in his team’s fifth consecutive win. Maye threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns in a 32–13 win over the Cleveland Browns, and he didn’t let Myles Garrett’s big day of five sacks stop him.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix didn’t need a miracle comeback this time as he ignited his team’s offense early and often against the Dallas Cowboys. Nix threw for 247 yards and four touchdowns as the Broncos beat the Cowboys 44–24 at home.
In his last five quarters on the field, Nix has led the Broncos to 77 points, which includes the fourth quarter of the team’s comeback win last week against the New York Giants. Nix has the Broncos on a five-game winning streak at the moment.
Third-year Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud likewise has been on fire. Stroud threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns in a 26–15 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
The Texans have won three of the last four games with Stroud’s resurgence. Houston will face Denver in Week 9 as two of the AFC’s hottest teams meet.
Dolphins Find Offensive Groove Again
While the 2025 season has been mostly a nightmare for the Miami Dolphins with a 1–6 start, Sunday brought a much-needed reprieve as the Dolphins blew out the Atlanta Falcons 34–10 for their second win.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns, and all went to four different pass catchers. Running backs De’Von Achane, Ollie Gordon II, and Jaylen Wright all combined for 141 yards rushing.
Ravens Reboot
Similar to Miami, the 2025 season has looked like a nightmare for the Ravens with a 1–5 start and injuries across the team, including quarterback Lamar Jackson.
On Sunday, however, Baltimore returned to form and beat the Chicago Bears 30–16 behind backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who threw for 186 yards and one touchdown. Ravens running back Derrick Henry, meanwhile, rushed for 71 yards and two touchdowns in his best game since Week 1.
James Cook Breaks Out for Buffalo
Buffalo needed a spark after two consecutive prime-time losses.
Bills running back James Cook provided just that with a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday in a 40–9 win over the Carolina Panthers. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen also got on track with 163 yards passing and one touchdown in addition to a pair of rushing touchdowns.
Jets’ Justin Fields, Breece Hall Deliver
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields took the blame for the team’s 0–7 start, but he answered the bell on Sunday in a 39–38 comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fields threw for 244 yards and a touchdown, and running back Breece Hall stepped up with 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns. They helped the Jets deliver one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history despite the winless start to the season.
Eagles, Buccaneers Flex NFC Prowess
The Philadelphia Eagles left no doubt which team rules the NFC East with a 38–20 win over the New York Giants. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed their continued stranglehold on the NFC South with a 23–3 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley dominated with 150 yards rushing and a touchdown, and the injury he sustained isn’t expected to be a problem going forward. Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts also dominated, passing for 179 yards and four touchdowns.
While the Buccaneers had a quieter offensive day as quarterback Baker Mayfield didn’t throw for a touchdown, the team’s defense showed its dominance and Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson scored on a short pick-six of three yards.
Matthew Davis is an experienced, award-winning journalist who has covered major professional and college sports for years. His writing has appeared on Heavy, the Star Tribune, and The Catholic Spirit. He has a degree in mass communication from North Dakota State University.
