Colts Beat Commanders 30-13 in London as Jonathan Taylor Runs Over a Depleted Washington -

LONDON — The Indianapolis Colts did not look like the better team early Sunday. They did look like the steadier one by the end.

The Indianapolis Colts did not look like the better team early Sunday in the Colts vs Commanders game in London. Indianapolis beat the Washington Commanders 30-13 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the NFL’s first London game of 2026. It was the kind of win that did not need much polish. Jonathan Taylor ran for two touchdowns and 95 yards, and the Colts’ defense made enough stops against a Washington offense that lost its second quarterback of the day’s rotation before halftime.

The Colts improved to 2-2 after an 0-2 start. The Commanders dropped to 1-3.

How the Colts vs. Commanders game unfolded

Washington had the better start. On the second snap, Odafe Oweh sacked Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and recovered the fumble. The Commanders turned it into a field goal. They added another on their next drive. Both possessions stalled in the red zone, and Washington led 6-0 after one quarter.

The game turned in the second quarter. A Washington fourth-down attempt failed. A personal foul on cornerback Amik Robertson then wiped out what would have been a third-down stop, and Taylor ran in from five yards out. Spencer Shrader added a 48-yard field goal on the last snap of the half, and Indianapolis led 10-6 at the break.

The Colts then scored 10 points in each of the final three quarters. Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis threw an interception to Jaylon Carlies early in the third quarter, and four plays later Taylor scored his second touchdown. Kaliakmanis answered with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Treylon Burks, but Washington did not score again.

Indianapolis finished with 128 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Taylor had two, Jones had one, and backup Seth McGowan added 31 yards on the ground.

What happened to Marcus Mariota?

Mariota started for the second straight week with Jayden Daniels sidelined by a dislocated left elbow. His day ended early.

Mariota was sacked on third-and-goal by defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore, with Laiatu Latu also in on the play, and his right knee appeared to bend awkwardly. He walked to the locker room under his own power. He had already run 35 yards on the same drive.

Washington listed him as questionable to return, then ruled him out. Coach Dan Quinn told the NFL Network broadcast that Mariota aggravated an MCL injury from the preseason. Quinn said the team was gutted for him. As of Sunday evening, the team had not announced a timeline for his return.

Kaliakmanis steps in for his NFL debut

The Commanders’ third-string quarterback, a seventh-round rookie out of Rutgers, finished 15 of 33 for 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked and hit repeatedly after holding the ball too long, but he made some big plays.

Kaliakmanis completed passes of 48 and 47 yards. He also threw an 87-yard touchdown that was wiped out by a penalty. That play was the difference between a competitive fourth quarter and the game Washington actually played.

How the Colts vs Commanders game unfolded

The Colts won despite being outgained. Washington finished with 317 total yards to Indianapolis’ 257. Jones had a rough day, going 19 of 34 for 143 yards with no touchdown passes, one interception and a lost fumble.

Washington’s problem was finishing. It went 2 for 15 on third down and 1 for 4 on fourth down. It also settled for field goals on its first two trips inside the Colts’ 20.

US Sports Media Analysis

The following is editorial analysis based on the reported facts above.

Indianapolis did not win this game with its quarterback. It won with a ground game and a defense that kept bending without breaking, which is a more sustainable formula than Jones’ passing numbers suggest.

That matters because the Colts entered Week 4 ranked last in total defense, according to NBC. Allowing 317 yards is not a clean bill of health. But getting stops on third down and in the red zone is what separates a bad defense that can survive from one that cannot. The Colts vs Commanders result also exposed a gap in Washington’s quarterback depth.

The Jones question is real. He has not thrown a touchdown pass in this game, and the Colts’ offense has leaned on Taylor to cover for the turnovers. Taylor is good enough to do that for a while. It is a thin margin if the schedule gets tougher.

For Washington, the issue is bigger than one loss. Losing a starter and his backup in a single game is a depth-chart failure that no scheme fixes. The offense also showed it can generate yards, so the problem looks like finishing drives, not moving the ball. That matters once Daniels returns.

Playoff picture and what’s next

After Colts vs Commanders, neither team gets a bye. It is early. One Week 4 result does not define a season, and both teams have time to recover. For Indianapolis, a .500 record keeps it in the AFC South race. Jacksonville was 2-1 before its own Sunday game, according to NFL.com’s standings snapshot. Washington’s 1-3 start is a bigger hole, but there is plenty of schedule left.

Neither team gets a bye after the trip home.

Colts: At Pittsburgh in Week 5. NBC reports the Steelers have a rest advantage after playing Thursday night.
Commanders: Host the New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. ET on Fox. They then play at San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, before their Week 7 bye.

Daniels remains week-to-week with the elbow he dislocated Sept. 20 at Dallas. He was ruled out Friday for the London game and has not been cleared to return.