Can J.J. Taylor take Sony Michel’s role? Twitter thought so, and was wrong
Sony Michel had a slow start to the New England Patriots’ Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders — and this season in general.
Michel barely played in the first quarter and rookie undrafted free agent J.J. Taylor took advantage of the moment. Taylor ignited the Patriots’ rushing attack in the first half, leading up to a huge day for the running back crew.
The third-year running back took notice and immediately started making plays. He began with a career-long 38-yard rush and followed it up with 48-yard rush that helped him surpass 100 yards on the day.
Michel earned respect from the Twitter world, immediately after he was disrespected by that same realm of people.
Here’s the before reactions.
J.J. Taylor >>> Sony Michel
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 27, 2020
Every touch Michel receives over Taylor now is pure sunk cost fallacy.
— Pats Pulpit (@patspulpit) September 27, 2020
JJ Taylor just blew by Sony Michel on the depth chart.
— Tony Massarotti (@TonyMassarotti) September 27, 2020
Rex Burkhead and JJ Taylor continuously show you Sony Michel is useless
— SpoOky Brycen 🎃🕸 (@BradyyNFL) September 27, 2020
Sony Michel does not play as well as JJ Taylor.
Period.
— SAVAGE BOSTON🍀 (@SavageBoston) September 27, 2020
Sony Michel should never touch a football again just give it to JJ Taylor Rex Burkhead and Damien Harris when he comes back
— Anthony Martucci (@Mar2chainzz) September 27, 2020
J.J. Taylor > Sony Michel
— Rich Keefe (@Keefe21) September 27, 2020
Taylor >>>>> Sony
— Young Boston™ (@YoungBostonTM) September 27, 2020
Less Sony, more Taylor
— El Castroso (@ElPatsFan) September 27, 2020
Here’s what Twitter had to say after.
All the Pats beat writers after Sony Michel's big runs and the dropped pass by Taylor pic.twitter.com/CnZvep3WE8
— Matt (@mvaluk) September 27, 2020
This aged really well.
Michel: 140 scrimmage yards.
Burkhead: 98 total yards and 3 touchdowns.
Taylor: 11 carries, 43 yards.
You can’t make up this level of stupidity.#Patriots #NFL #Football https://t.co/ydDsAL0TyE
— Andrew (@AndrewP8186) September 27, 2020
Sony Michel saw all those J.J. Taylor tweets.
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) September 27, 2020
Sony Michel saw your tweets about JJ Taylor and he’s got receipts… 👀
— Courtney Fallon (@CourtneyFallon_) September 27, 2020
Seven carries for 112 yards for Michel. Would this have happened without the productive cameo from JJ Taylor? Was stuck-in-the-mud Sony a result of him not running well or there being no space? (I vote for the latter…)
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) September 27, 2020
Breaking News — Sony Michel with a productive runs. JJ Taylor may have lit a fire under his ass. About time.
— Andy Hart (@JumboHart) September 27, 2020
