The Indianapolis Colts kicked off the 2026 NFL London Series at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a 30-13 win over the Washington Commanders, a game in which the latter lost Marcus Mariota to injury
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown during the NFL match between Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders as part of the London NFL Series 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 04, 2026 in London, England.
Two Jonathan Taylor touchdowns powered the Indianapolis Colts to a win in London over the Washington Commanders(Image: Getty Images)
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London, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — The NFL's 2026 London Series kicked off on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Indianapolis Colts claiming a 30-13 win over the Washington Commanders.
In the buildup to the game, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris risked the NFL's ire by admitting that losing a home game to play in London is less than ideal. While the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was packed with Commanders fans, they were unable to help the team overcome the loss of Marcus Mariota, who himself was starting in place of the injured Jayden Daniels. The Commanders' quarterback suffered a knee injury in the first quarter, and he did not return to the game. They also lost Jaylin Lane to a gruesome ankle injury.
In Mariota's place, Washington turned to Athan Kaliakmanis, a seventh-round rookie, who struggled tremendously during the first half before producing some sublime throws in the second.
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The opening quarter of action in London was not pretty. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones fumbled on just the second play of the game, the result of which saw the Commanders take a 3-0 lead thanks to a 31-yard field goal from kicker Drew Stevens.
While Indianapolis was unable to get anything going offensively in the opening quarter, Mariota made a handful of plays, one of which saw him carry the ball on a read option run for 35 yards.
That drive also resulted in three more points for Washington, courtesy of Stevens' boot, giving Washington a 6-0 lead with just over six minutes left in the first quarter.
However, soon after that, the Commanders' quarterback exited the game with a knee injury after being sacked by Laiatu Latu and Adetomiwa Adebawore.
He did not return to the game, meaning that Kaliakmanis was called upon to lead Washington's offense. Unsurprisingly, he struggled. Washington punted on consecutive drives after Kaliakmanis was inserted into the Commanders' lineup for Mariota.
Marcus Mariota of the Washington Commanders during the NFL match between Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders as part of the London NFL Series 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 04, 2026 in London, England.
Marcus Mariota was injured during the first quarter of action in London(Image: Getty Images)
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While Kaliakmanis struggled, so too did Jones.
The Colts veteran threw a gift of an interception during the second quarter to cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, the result of which went unpunished after Washington was turned over on downs after being stuffed on 4th & 1.
On the ensuing possession after getting the ball back, the Colts finally picked up some rhythm, with Jones and company going on a nine-play, 46-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown run by Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, with Spencer Shrader's extra point giving Indianapolis the lead.
Another Washington punt after Kaliakmanis was unable to connect on a deep pass with Antonio Williams handed the ball back to the Colts, who went 51 yards in just over a minute to give Shrader the opportunity to kick a 48-yard field goal, which he duly converted, giving the Colts a 10-6 lead at the half.
Washington began the second half in the worst possible fashion. Jacory Croskey-Merritt was stuffed on the first play of the second half for a loss of two yards.
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Then Kaliakmanis ensuing pass to Williams resulted in an incompletion, before a false start penalty on 3rd & 12 backed Washington up to its 24-yard line.
On 3rd & 17, the Commanders' rookie saw his pass intercepted by Jaylon Carlies, who was pushed out of bounds at the Washington 20. Four plays later, Indianapolis extended its lead to 17-12 after a second Taylor touchdown and Shrader's extra point.
Having underwhelmed and struggled in relief of Mariota, Kaliakmanis connected with wide receiver Treylon Burks for a 47-yard touchdown down the left sideline, making it 17-13 Colts.
Indy added another field goal on the following drive before Kaliakmanis produced another excellent throw, which saw Dyami Brown haul in a 48-yard pass with Sauce Gardner in coverage.
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However, a sack on third down pushed Washington out of field goal range, forcing them to punt.
Washington thought it had tied the game after Williams went 87 yards to the house from the Commanders' 13-yard line, only for his touchdown to be chalked off by two penalties.
Another Shrader field goal extended the Colts' lead to seven. Jones then found the end zone at the beginning of the fourth quarter, scrambling for a four-yard touchdown to give Indianapolis a 27-13 lead, which was again further extended by Shrader to make it 30-13, which is how the game finished.