5 reasons Colts can win the Super Bowl this year

3. RBs Marlon Mack and Jonathan Taylor provide 1-2 punch

Running back Marlon Mack comes off a season in which he set career highs in attempts (247), rushing yards (1,091) and scores on the ground (8). He’s run for a combined 1,999 yards and 17 scores in 26 regular-season outings the past two seasons. But that didn’t prevent the team from adding one of the top running backs in this year’s draft in University of Wisconsin workhorse Jonathan Taylor.

Of course, the team’s new quarterback is veteran Philip Rivers. In recent seasons with the Chargers, he became acclimated with a talented backfield combination in two-time Pro Bowler Melvin Gordon (ironically, another former Wisconsin Badger) and underrated Austin Eckler. Now could the same happen in Indianapolis with the three-year pro and the rookie runner? And could one or the other emerge as the go-to guy?

“It all depends on the development (with) these guys, where they get in that first game,” said Colts’ running back coach Tom Rathman via Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star back in June. “Is Jonathan Taylor going to be at the level that Marlon Mack is? Mindset, understanding how to play the game, well Jonathan hasn’t played any NFL football. So he still has to grow into that role. We all see it. We all anticipate it. We all expect it. But are you going to see it right away? I can’t say that.”