Archaeologist Daniel Jones? Colts QB embracing 'Indiana Jones' nickname

When the Indianapolis Colts announced the signing of backmost Daniel Jones connected X successful March, they captioned their station simply: "INDIANA JONES."

That planted the seeds of a caller nickname that has taken the NFL by storm, with references to Jones arsenic the fictional leader prof and archaeologist receiving adjacent cosmopolitan acclaim. Las Vegas Raiders walk rusher Maxx Crosby said it "might beryllium the champion nickname astir close now."

While appearing connected the "ManningCast" successful Week 3, Peyton Manning asked Jones if the existent crushed helium signed with the Colts was due to the fact that it gave him the accidental for a nickname upgrade. Jones was known arsenic "Danny Dimes" portion with the New York Giants.

"An upgrade, huh? A nickname upgrade," Jones said, laughing. "I didn't origin that in. But, you know, I'd accidental it's astir apt an upgrade. Yeah, it's ever a nickname ... There's a nickname present everywhere."

Jones told Kay Adams that helium watched a clump of Indiana Jones movies backmost successful the day, but it's been a portion since he's seen one. Whether helium is genuinely "Indiana Jones" oregon not, his play connected the tract has sparked a 3-1 commencement for the Colts.

Heading into Week 5, the quarterback's 79.7 full QBR leads the league. Over the erstwhile 2 seasons, helium ranked 29th retired of 33 qualified quarterbacks successful QBR, according to ESPN Research. Jones has thrown for 1,078 yards, the 3rd astir successful the NFL.

He was besides the lone subordinate successful the past 90 years with 3 passing touchdowns, 3 rushing touchdowns and zero turnovers successful his team's archetypal 3 games. However, Jones threw 2 interceptions and 1 touchdown walk successful the Colts' 27-20 nonaccomplishment to the Los Angeles Rams successful Week 4.

Indianapolis' discourtesy has thrived nether Jones. The Colts are averaging a league-high 6.5 yards per play positive 30.8 points per game, their astir points done 4 games since 2014. They besides punted the shot lone erstwhile successful the archetypal 3 weeks, giving them the fewest by immoderate squad implicit its archetypal 3 games of an NFL play since astatine slightest 1940.

Whether oregon not Jones tin prolong this resurgence remains up for debate. Indianapolis hosts the Raiders connected Sunday -- a acquainted quest for the antheral nicknamed aft the prima of "Raiders of the Lost Ark."