Jonathan Taylor and Marcus Mariota headline a crucial London showdown with both teams fighting to move above .500: Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders.
The Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders matchup takes the NFL to London for the first international game of the 2026 season’s European leg. Both teams enter Week 4 at 1-2 after earning their first victories of the season last week, making Sunday’s meeting an opportunity for one club to move above .500.
Indianapolis arrives after a narrow 19-17 victory over the Houston Texans, while Washington produced one of Week 3’s biggest surprises by defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 33-31.
The game also has an important quarterback storyline. Washington will again be without Jayden Daniels, who has been ruled out because of his left-elbow injury. Marcus Mariota will make his second consecutive start after leading Washington to its comeback victory over Seattle.
For Indianapolis, the focus will be on whether Jonathan Taylor can finally break through against a Washington run defense that has been one of the league’s strongest through three games.
Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders: Why This Game Matters
Both teams entered the season with expectations of competing for postseason relevance, but neither has made a convincing start.
The Colts are 1-2, although their Week 3 victory over Houston provided some encouragement. Washington also sits at 1-2 after beating Seattle, meaning Sunday’s winner will leave Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a 2-2 record.
The international setting adds another element. The game is being played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, and it is the first of three consecutive London games on the NFL’s 2026 schedule.
Washington also has a historical international problem to solve. The Commanders are the only NFL franchise to have played at least three international games without recording a victory, entering this game with a 0-2-1 international record.
Colts Team Form
Indianapolis opened the season with losses before finally getting into the win column against Houston.
The Colts’ 19-17 victory was not an offensive explosion, but it demonstrated that they could win a close game when their defense made important stops.
One of the biggest questions entering London is Jonathan Taylor’s production.
Taylor has carried the ball 66 times through three games, tied for the NFL lead in rushing attempts, but he is averaging fewer than four yards per carry and has not yet produced a 100-yard rushing performance this season.
That makes this matchup particularly interesting because Washington’s run defense has been considerably better than its overall defensive numbers.
The Commanders have allowed only 246 rushing yards through three games, third-fewest in the NFL, while opponents are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry. Washington also leads the league in run-stuff percentage at 25%.
Taylor therefore faces a defense capable of attacking one of Indianapolis’ preferred methods of controlling the game.
Commanders Team Form
Washington also enters at 1-2, but the mood around the team improved dramatically after Week 3.
The Commanders defeated Seattle 33-31 behind a standout performance from Marcus Mariota. The veteran quarterback threw three touchdown passes without an interception and added a rushing score as Washington pulled off the upset.
Mariota will again start against Indianapolis because Jayden Daniels has been ruled out.
Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in Week 2 and missed the following game. He returned to limited practice this week but was ultimately ruled out for London. Washington hopes he can return as soon as Week 5 against the New York Giants.
The question now is whether Mariota can produce another efficient performance away from home.
Key Matchup: Jonathan Taylor vs Washington’s Run Defense
This could be the most important matchup of the game.
Taylor remains one of Indianapolis’ most important offensive players, but his efficiency has been below his usual standard during the opening three games.
Washington has allowed just 246 rushing yards and 3.8 yards per carry. The Commanders have also limited opponents to five runs of at least 10 yards, tied for third-best in the NFL.
That makes Taylor’s ability to create consistent early-down production crucial.
There is also a historical international angle. Taylor dominated Indianapolis’ international game last season against Atlanta, producing 244 rushing yards and 286 yards from scrimmage. Those performances set NFL international-game records, according to NFL Research.
If Taylor can establish himself against Washington, Indianapolis can make life easier for its passing game.
Key Matchup: Marcus Mariota vs Colts Defense
Washington’s biggest advantage may come from its quarterback situation — surprisingly, not because Daniels is playing, but because Mariota enters the game with confidence after his Week 3 performance.
Mariota threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns against Seattle without an interception. He also contributed with his legs and helped Washington close out the upset.
He now faces a Colts defense that has struggled badly overall.
Indianapolis is allowing 417.3 total yards per game, the worst mark in the NFL entering Week 4. However, the Colts’ defense showed significant improvement against Houston in the previous game.
That creates an important question: was Week 3 the beginning of a defensive turnaround, or simply a strong performance against a struggling Houston offense?
Key Matchup: Colts Receivers vs Washington Secondary
Indianapolis could have opportunities through the air, particularly against a Washington secondary that has given up significant production.
Josh Downs has emerged as an increasingly important target for the Colts. With Alec Pierce dealing with an injury and Michael Pittman no longer part of the current receiving picture, Downs has taken on a larger role in the passing game.
Washington’s secondary has struggled to contain receivers.
Mike Sainristil has allowed five touchdown receptions through three games, while the Commanders have also had problems limiting production from other defensive backs.
That could give Indianapolis an opportunity to move the ball without relying entirely on Taylor.
Key Matchup: Washington Receivers vs Colts Secondary
The Commanders can also attack Indianapolis through the passing game.
Terry McLaurin remains Washington’s leading established receiver, while Stefon Diggs and rookie Antonio Williams provide additional options. McLaurin is still looking for his first 100-yard receiving performance of 2026, but his availability is an important factor heading into the game.
The Colts have particularly struggled against slot receivers.
Justin Walley has allowed 13 receptions on 15 targets for 213 yards and two touchdowns in slot coverage, according to Next Gen Stats figures cited by NFL.com.
That could create an opportunity for Diggs and Williams to attack the middle of the Indianapolis defense.
Injury Updates
The quarterback situation is already settled for Washington.
Jayden Daniels is out with his left-elbow injury, meaning Marcus Mariota will start for the second consecutive game.
Washington will also be without running back Rachaad White, guard Sam Cosmi and safety Nick Cross. Terry McLaurin is questionable with a hamstring injury, while safety Percy Butler is questionable with a concussion.
The Colts’ biggest late injury development is wide receiver Keenan Allen, who was downgraded to out because of a groin injury. Ashton Dulin is listed as questionable with an ankle issue.
Allen’s absence puts additional pressure on Josh Downs and the rest of Indianapolis’ receiving group.
Colts vs Commanders Prediction
This game is more difficult to predict than the records suggest.
Both teams are 1-2, both won last week and both have defensive concerns. Washington has the stronger rushing defense, while Indianapolis has the more concerning overall defensive numbers.
The biggest advantage for the Colts is Jonathan Taylor. If Indianapolis can establish the run, it can control possession and prevent the game from becoming an open passing contest.
Washington’s biggest advantage is the matchup against the Colts’ secondary. If Mariota can repeat his efficient Week 3 performance and get the ball to McLaurin, Diggs and Williams consistently, the Commanders can put pressure on Indianapolis.
The injury situation also slightly favors the Colts in terms of quarterback stability. Washington is without its starting quarterback, while Indianapolis has Daniel Jones available and can lean heavily on Taylor.
However, the Commanders have home-field familiarity with the London trip, despite technically playing far from Washington, and Mariota is coming off one of his strongest recent performances.
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 24, Washington Commanders 21
The Colts should have enough offensive balance to win a close game, but Washington’s run defense could make this much more competitive than a typical matchup against a defense allowing more than 400 yards per game.
The deciding factor could be whether Indianapolis can avoid turnovers and whether Taylor finally produces the kind of efficient performance the Colts need from him.
Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders Game Details
Game: Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders
Week: Week 4, 2026 NFL season
Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Kickoff: 9:30 a.m. ET
India time: 7:00 p.m. IST
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+
Play-by-play: Dave Pasch
Analysts: Kurt Warner and Jason Kelce
Sideline reporter: Molly McGrath
Final Outlook
The Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders game gives both teams a chance to move to 2-2 and build some momentum after uneven starts to the season.
For Indianapolis, everything begins with Jonathan Taylor and whether the Colts can finally establish a consistent rushing attack against Washington’s strong run defense. For the Commanders, the biggest question is whether Marcus Mariota can deliver another efficient performance while Jayden Daniels continues his recovery.
The matchup also presents opportunities for both passing games. Indianapolis can attack a vulnerable Washington secondary through Josh Downs and its other available receivers, while Washington can target areas of weakness in the Colts’ coverage with Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams.
With both teams coming off Week 3 victories, this London matchup should provide an early indication of which 1-2 team is better positioned to turn its season around.
Final prediction: Colts 24, Commanders 21.
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