Sauce Gardner finally broke a 651‑day drought without a victory on American soil, and now the Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback is gearing up for another trip across the Atlantic. The Colts secured their first win of the 2025‑26 campaign in Week Three, edging the Houston Texans 19‑17. Gardner’s previous U.S. triumph had come on December 15, 2024, when he was still wearing a New York Jets uniform.
After being dealt to Indianapolis in November 2025, his sole win with the Colts before the Berlin showdown was a narrow victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, that triumph was followed by a seven‑game losing streak that left the team searching for momentum. This week the Colts will once again test themselves in Europe, facing the Washington Commanders at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a contest that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports NFL. Gardner reflected on the oddity of his recent schedule, telling Sky Sports, “I was joking with Josh Downs about how we could lose a game at home, then go abroad, win there, and still feel the sting of that home loss.
It was painful.” He added that playing internationally, especially in London, holds a special place in his heart because of the electric atmosphere and passionate fans. The NFL’s global push continues to gather steam. The 2026 season features a record‑setting nine international games, including inaugural matchups in Melbourne, Australia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
London will host three consecutive games in October, underscoring the league’s ambition to expand beyond the United States. Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly hinted at a long‑term goal of staging 16 games abroad each season, and the London fixtures are a clear step toward that vision. Colts safety Cam Bynum expressed his enthusiasm for travel, saying, “If I could play overseas every week, I would.” He also noted the logistical challenges that come with international travel, such as disrupting his routine of acupuncture, massages, and other body‑work treatments.
Bynum explained that his typical Thursday includes a session with his acupuncturist, followed by a Friday massage with a different therapist who flies to Indianapolis for the appointment. The sudden shift to a six‑hour flight and a truncated night of sleep forces the players to adapt quickly, but Bynum believes both teams face the same obstacles, creating a level playing field. Running back Jonathan Taylor is another marquee name heading to London.
The league’s leading rusher, with 18 touchdowns and 1,585 yards on the ground, sees the overseas game as a chance to showcase his talent on a world stage. Taylor reminisced about his high‑school “Turkey Bowl” on Thanksgiving, recalling a crowd of a thousand people as the largest he’d ever played before.
He described his journey—from that modest field to the University of Wisconsin, then Indianapolis, and now an international venue—as “the most amazing feeling in the world,” emphasizing that he never takes these opportunities for granted. The Commanders arrive in London fresh off an upset victory over Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks. Quarterback Marcus Mariota is slated to start, replacing the injured Jayden Daniels. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who was listed as questionable due to a hamstring strain, remains a key target, while Stefon Diggs brings his trademark route‑running and reliable hands to the mix.
Gardner praised McLaurin’s speed and explosiveness, noting that Diggs compensates with intelligence and precise separation skills. Coach Shane Steichen’s staff will be hoping to reverse the early‑season slump that saw the Commanders start 0‑2 before a win against the Seahawks. Gardner highlighted the psychological boost a single victory can provide, stating, “Going from 0‑3 to 1‑2 changes the entire energy in the locker room. It’s a huge difference.” He recalled the narrow loss to the Chiefs, saying the team felt they were close enough to win and that the next game must be a victory.
A poignant subplot to the London showdown involves Colts offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann, who attended his first NFL game as a teenage fan at Wembley Stadium in 2013. The Austrian now returns to the same venue as a professional player, describing the experience as “extremely special.” Raimann hopes his story will inspire young athletes, saying, “If kids see my journey, they might believe their own dreams are possible and keep working toward them.” Overall, the upcoming London contest illustrates both the excitement and the logistical hurdles of playing football abroad. Players must juggle altered sleep patterns, disrupted recovery routines, and the pressure of representing the league on an international stage. Yet the enthusiasm of fans, the unique atmosphere of venues like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the chance for athletes to broaden their horizons keep the momentum strong.
As the NFL continues to schedule more games outside the United States, London remains a flagship destination, offering a taste of the sport’s growing global appeal. Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sports, with the entire 2026 season—including playoffs and Super Bowl LXI—available for streaming on NOW without a contract. The league’s commitment to accessibility and worldwide exposure ensures that even viewers far from the traditional American football heartland can enjoy every snap, tackle, and touchdown as the sport continues its worldwide expansion.