Hall’s YFS is even third in the AFC and ninth in the NFL. And he’s still second in the league among RBs with 358 receiving yards, trailing not usual leader Christian McCaffrey this year, but rather Alvin Kamara of the Saints with 421 yards.

And his style of play, which includes seven plays of 20-plus yards (three on runs, four on receptions), also has Downing and the offense walking a fine line as they try to give rookie RB Braelon Allen more work.

“There’s a delicate balance there and we like what Braelon is doing,” Downing said after confirming that “Taking Breece off the field when he comes on isn’t certainly something we’re looking for reasons for either. “

But as all NFL watchers know, emotions and fortunes can quickly change in Not For Long. Hall pays tribute to the Colts’ defenders, who, he notes, “certainly go for the ball a lot. They have two good linebackers in Zaire (Franklin) and EJ (Speed). They have a good D-line, a good back end. They are good everywhere. We have to come with our A-game.

But Indianapolis also hosts big individual RB matchups with the Texans’ Joe Mixon (twice), the Packers’ Josh Jacobs and the Jaguars’ Tank Bigsby, all with Colts losses. Indy comes to MetLife on Sunday ranked 29th in overall defense, 30th against the rush and 27th in net pass defense.

“Yeah, it’s definitely in the back of your mind,” he said of the time growing shorter as the Jets and Colts (4-6) move their subdued seasons into November and December. “But we are professionals. We know what we have to do, what job we have to do. So we’re just going to try to keep having fun, get better and win.”