London opens the NFL’s three-week run of Sunday morning games with the Indianapolis Colts facing the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as both 1-2 clubs try to build on upset wins over 2025 playoff teams last week.
The game begins the European portion of the league’s 2026 international schedule after earlier stops in Oceania and South America. Indianapolis and Washington each made recent overseas history: the Colts won the NFL’s first regular-season game in Berlin last year, while the Commanders lost in the league’s inaugural game in Spain at Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium.
Washington is still chasing its first international victory. The Commanders are 0-2-1 outside the United States and are the only franchise with at least three international appearances without a win.
Injury report and player statuses
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders quarterback: Out for a second straight game after dislocating his left elbow in Week 2. He was limited during London practices and has not had surgery or been placed on injured reserve.
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders wide receiver: Questionable with a hamstring issue. He is seeking his first 100-yard receiving performance of 2026.
- Keenan Allen, Colts wide receiver: Dealing with a groin injury that could affect his availability.
- Alec Pierce, Colts wide receiver: Indianapolis has been managing health concerns involving the receiver.
- Ashton Dulin, Colts wide receiver: Also among the Colts wideouts dealing with health concerns.
Daniels’ absence puts Marcus Mariota back in charge of Washington’s offense. Mariota delivered a three-touchdown, no-interception showing against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, recording a passer rating above 110 for the first time since Week 8 of 2022. He also helped close that win with a key read-option run.
Washington coach Dan Quinn called Daniels’ return to limited practice work a “big step,” but the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year will not play. Daniels also missed the Commanders’ Madrid trip last season with an elbow dislocation.
Taylor faces a tough test on the ground
Jonathan Taylor remains central to Indianapolis’ offensive hopes, particularly as quarterback Daniel Jones works to regain his rhythm and the receiving corps works through injuries. Taylor is tied for the league lead with 66 rushing attempts through three games, but his efficiency has fallen below four yards per carry. He has not reached 100 rushing yards in a game this season and finished last week’s narrow win over Houston with 68 yards and no touchdown.
The Commanders have been among the NFL’s most effective run defenses. They have surrendered 246 rushing yards, third fewest in the league, at 3.8 yards per rush. Their 25% run-stuff rate leads the NFL, and opponents have produced only five runs of at least 10 yards, tied for the third-lowest total.
Taylor has already shown he can thrive in an overseas setting. In Indianapolis’ overtime win over Atlanta in Berlin last season, he set international-game records with 244 rushing yards and 286 yards from scrimmage. He needs 78 rushing yards against Washington to become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher in international games.
Secondaries offer opportunities for both offenses
Both teams enter the matchup with defenses that have allowed significant production, and the passing games may find favorable matchups in the slot and on the perimeter.
For Indianapolis, Josh Downs has taken on a larger role while Pierce has been unavailable. Across Weeks 2 and 3, Downs posted a team-best 2.4 yards per route and drew targets on 32.8% of his routes. His plus-12.6 receiving expected points added ranks 15th among qualified NFL receivers.
Washington cornerback Mike Sainristil has allowed five touchdown passes and a 142.4 passer rating when targeted, both difficult early-season marks. Jeremy Reaves has yielded a 154.6 passer rating and a plus-42.8% completion rate over expected, while Quan Martin has allowed a plus-28% completion rate over expected. Those numbers could create chances for Downs, Allen if healthy, and tight end Tyler Warren.
The Commanders, meanwhile, can target Colts nickelback Justin Walley. He has allowed 13 catches on 15 targets for 213 yards and two touchdowns from the slot. His yardage total is the highest allowed by any defender, 84 more than the next closest cornerback, and quarterbacks have produced a perfect 158.3 rating on those throws.
McLaurin, rookie Antonio Williams and Stefon Diggs are Washington’s leading options for that assignment. Williams leads the team with a plus-27.2% completion rate over expected and plus-8.7 receiving EPA on slot targets, while Diggs has run a team-high 44 routes from the slot.
The week ahead
Indianapolis and Washington meet Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first of three consecutive weeks of NFL football in London. Mariota will make his second consecutive start for the Commanders, while Daniels continues his recovery from the left-elbow injury. The Colts will look for Taylor to regain his early-season form against Washington’s stout front, while both offenses assess the availability of key receivers.
