Sauce Gardner finally broke a 651‑day drought without an NFL victory on U.S. soil, and now the Indianapolis Colts cornerback is gearing up for another trip across the Atlantic. The Colts secured their first win of the 2025‑2026 campaign in Week Three, edging the Houston Texans 19‑17, and Gardner’s previous U.S.
triumph dated back to December 15, 2024, when he was still a member of the New York Jets. After being dealt to Indianapolis in November 2025, Gardner’s only subsequent victory came in Berlin against the Atlanta Falcons, a game that offered a brief glimpse of redemption before the Colts stumbled through the final seven contests of the season. This week, the team is back in Europe, slated to face the Washington Commanders at London’s iconic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a contest that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports NFL. "The crazy thing I was saying to my teammate Josh Downs was, imagine we lost that game in the States, then we go overseas, win there, but still lose back home.
It was a painful thought," Gardner told Sky Sports. "I’ve always loved international games, especially those in London. The city holds a special place in my heart; the atmosphere is electric, the fans are incredible, and the whole experience is just amazing." The upcoming matchup is part of a packed October schedule that features three consecutive London games, contributing to a record‑setting nine international contests for the 2026 season.
The NFL’s global push has expanded beyond Europe, with inaugural games in Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro this year, underscoring Commissioner Roger Goodell’s vision of staging up to sixteen games outside the United States each season. Colts safety Cam Bynum expressed his enthusiasm for the travel, noting, "If I could play overseas every week, I would. The only downside is the disruption to my routine—my acupuncture, massages, and recovery protocols are all scheduled around a home‑base schedule.
When you’re flying in, you lose that consistency, and the limited sleep on the plane—just six hours—doesn’t help. But both teams face the same challenges, so it evens the playing field." Despite logistical hurdles, many players relish the chance to showcase their talents on a global stage.
Offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann, who attended his first live NFL game at Wembley as a teenager in 2013, returned to London as a professional. The Austrian reflected, "Back then I was just a kid playing football with a club team, dreaming of the NFL. Seeing those players felt like watching superheroes. To now be on the field, knowing what this means to the fans, is incredibly special.
I hope my story inspires kids to chase their dreams and work hard every day." The Colts will also rely heavily on the contributions of running back Jonathan Taylor, who entered the season as a premier offensive weapon, leading the league with 18 rushing touchdowns and amassing 1,585 yards on the ground. Taylor reminisced about his journey, "From playing a Turkey Bowl in high school—where a thousand fans turned up, the biggest crowd I’d ever seen—to Wisconsin, Indianapolis, and now an international game, it’s surreal. I don’t take any of it for granted." Washington arrives in London fresh off a stunning upset over the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota is set to start again after Jayden Daniels was sidelined with an injury. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who was listed as questionable on Friday due to a hamstring strain, remains a key target, while Stefon Diggs offers a different skill set. Gardner praised both, saying, "McLaurin has elite speed and explosiveness. Diggs may not be as fast, but he’s smart, has great hands, and knows how to create separation." Head coach Shane Steichen’s squad had stumbled to an 0‑3 start before snapping a win last weekend, a victory that lifted the team’s morale dramatically.
Gardner noted the psychological impact, "Going from 0‑3 to 1‑2 changes the energy completely. We lost a close game to the Chiefs, but it showed us we can compete. Now we have to finish what we started and win this one." The London game also highlights the broader NFL strategy of building a worldwide fan base. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, originally designed for soccer, has become a premier venue for American football, offering a capacity of over 60,000 and state‑of‑the‑art facilities that enhance the viewing experience for both in‑person spectators and television audiences.
The stadium’s acoustics amplify crowd noise, creating a hostile environment for visiting teams and a memorable experience for players. Beyond the on‑field action, the NFL’s international push includes community outreach programs, youth clinics, and cultural exchanges aimed at deepening the sport’s roots abroad.
In previous years, the league has partnered with local schools to introduce American football fundamentals, providing equipment and coaching resources to nurture home‑grown talent. These initiatives aim to cultivate a pipeline of international players who could eventually compete in the NFL, further diversifying the league’s talent pool. As the Colts and Commanders prepare for kickoff, fans can expect a high‑octane contest featuring dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball, a vibrant London atmosphere, and the continued narrative of the NFL’s expansion beyond American borders. The game will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with additional coverage on the NOW platform for viewers seeking a contract‑free streaming option.
For those eager to follow the entire 2026 season, Sky Sports will broadcast every regular‑season game, the playoffs, and Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for February 14, 2027. The network also offers promotional deals and a flexible streaming service, ensuring that fans worldwide can stay connected to the league’s evolving story.