Sunday’s Best: Ground Game Glory

Sunday’s Best is a weekly column highlighting the NFL’s top five performers. Each week, the players who are spotlighted not only put up big numbers but also set the tone for their teams and shape the storylines of Sunday.

While the air attacks usually dominate the highlights week to week, it was the work done between the tackles that defined Week 8 — runs that broke games open and reminded everyone that football’s foundation starts on the ground.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are rolling, and Jonathan Taylor’s behind the steering wheel.

Taylor tore through the Tennessee Titans’ defense in a 38–14 win, piling up 153 yards on the ground with two rushing scores and a receiving touchdown. His biggest moment came in the third quarter, when he hit the gas for an 80-yard touchdown that opened the floodgates and gave Indy a 24–7 lead.

The score tied him with Hall of Famer Earl Campbell for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns through a player’s first 75 games, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Taylor has now logged back-to-back three-touchdown performances and leads the league with 14 total TDs.

He’s on pace for a 30-touchdown season, which would make him just the second player to ever hit that mark. The only other name on that list? Former San Diego Chargers legendary running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who finished with 31 and an MVP trophy in 2006.

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

Through eight weeks, the Jets were 0–7, lifeless and desperate for something to go right. Enter Breece Hall.

Hall turned in one of the wildest stat lines of the season: 18 carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns … and a game-winning touchdown pass. Yes, you read that right.

Down 31–16 entering the fourth quarter, Hall brought the Jets back with his three total touchdowns. The third was a trick play touchdown pass to tight end Mason Taylor in the back of the endzone with 1:54 remaining, which sealed a 39–38 comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

It snapped the Jets’ winless streak and reminded everyone how dynamic Hall can be when fully healthy.

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Revenge games just hit different when you embarrass your old team.

After the Eagles’ disappointing 34-17 loss to the Giants two weeks ago, Saquon Barkley made sure to get some payback this time out.

On the second play from scrimmage, he ripped off a 65-yard touchdown and never looked back.

Barkley finished with 150 rushing yards as well as a receiving touchdown in Philly’s 38–20 win. He added a 28-yard burst late in the third before limping to the sideline, cutting short what could’ve been an even bigger day. Still, his impact was undeniable as the Eagles improved to 7–1 and strengthened their hold atop the NFC.

Each performance carried its own story of dominance, resilience and redemption. Together, they reminded the league about how games are really won.

In a league filled with highlight throws and clutch catches, these three running backs stole the show, reminding everyone that the heart of football still beats in the trenches.