Robert Saleh Explains What Makes Jonathan Taylor Tough to Stop

The Tennessee Titans have the luxury of facing Jonathan Taylor twice in the AFC South. 

Luxury here is used sarcastically, since Taylor is a very tough running back to game plan for. Since he was drafted out of Wisconsin in 2020, Taylor has been a problem. 

He hit the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie and also accounted for 11 touchdowns. He then led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in just his second year in the league. 

Taylor has had his injury issues along the way, but is a very reliable running back when healthy. He comes into Sunday's matchup with 398 rushing yards and six touchdowns. 

He was able to rush for over 100 yards in both matchups against the Titans last season. 

The Titans have had a decent run defense this season, but facing Taylor will be a big test. The Titans rank 17th in rushing yards allowed per game (114). 

Tennessee allowed New York Jets running back Breece Hall to hit 100 yards, but they have been steady ever since. Not even Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry managed to get over 100 rushing yards against them. 

Head coach Robert Saleh was asked to analyze the run defense and the challenge of stopping Taylor at Friday's press conference. 

"Yeah, I think we've been all right," Saleh said. "You know, we're getting a lot of turns at it. But from a yards per play standpoint, creating TFLs, I think we've done pretty good overall. Didn't love our first game against the Jets, but since then, I feel like it's been pretty good. And Taylor's a big challenge. He's, like I've said, he's a home-run hitter. He's a home run waiting to happen from anywhere on the football field at any moment of the game. Especially if you give him a small crease, like, he'll make you pay." 

Stopping the running game hasn't been the problem for this Titans defense. The problem has been third downs and allowing explosive plays. 

This Titans team can seem to get off the field on defense. Constantly throughout the year, we've seen the Titans get into favorable third-and-long situations defensively, only for the opposing team to find a way to move the chains. 

This was especially true in the Philadelphia Eagles game. It ultimately cost the Titans a win because they couldn't get off the field. 

We've seen explosive plays pop up more recently, particularly in the losses to the Ravens and the Texans. The confusing decision to put Cody Barton on Zay Flowers against the Ravens was dumbfounding. 

The problem with Taylor is that he can create explosive plays on his own. One minute you think you have him wrapped up in the backfield, and then he finds a crease and runs away from the defense for a touchdown. 

We'll see if the Titans' defensive problems show up against the Colts. If they do, it will be a long afternoon for the Titans in Indianapolis. 

Kickoff is set for noon CT on Fox from Lucas Oil Stadium.