Jonathan Taylor was the star of the show, crossing the goal line twice as the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Washington Commanders 30-13 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, kicking off this year’s three‑game NFL International Series slate in London. The opening quarter belonged to Washington, which managed to hold the Colts to a meager 20 total yards and grabbed an early 6-0 lead. However, the momentum shifted dramatically after a pivotal injury to Washington’s quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota was taken down on a sack just before the Commanders’ second field‑goal attempt, forcing the team to turn to third‑string quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, a seventh‑round pick who had barely seen the field.
Kaliakmanis, the 223rd overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, struggled to find his rhythm in his debut, despite flashing a few spectacular moments, including a 47‑yard deep‑ball touchdown pass that marked his first career TD. The Colts, meanwhile, began to claw back into the game after a bizarre early mishap. Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones fumbled the ball when he was inadvertently tripped by a teammate, giving Washington excellent field position.
The Commanders capitalized, with Odafe Oweh recovering the loose ball at the 20‑yard line and converting it into a field goal. After Mariota’s exit, the Commanders leaned heavily on Kaliakmanis, but his inexperience showed. On his first series, Jones was intercepted by veteran safety Rasul Douglas, putting Washington in a difficult spot.
The Commanders attempted a daring fourth‑down conversion from their own 46‑yard line, a decision that backfired and set the stage for Taylor’s opening touchdown. Taylor broke free for a short rush that put Indianapolis ahead, and the Colts quickly built a four‑point lead before halftime, thanks to the first of Spencer Shrader’s three successful field goals. Taylor celebrated his score with a playful tea‑drinking gesture in the end zone, a nod to the British setting of the game. The third quarter saw Kaliakmanis throw an early interception, allowing Taylor to add a second touchdown on a five‑yard run, extending the Colts’ advantage to 17-6.
Undeterred, Kaliakmanis responded on the very next drive, launching a spectacular 47‑yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Treylon Burks. Burks sprinted down the left sideline, outrunning star cornerback Sauce Gardner and narrowing the deficit. Nonetheless, Indianapolis answered with more points, as Shrader kicked two additional field goals that bracketed a crucial four‑yard rushing touchdown by Jones early in the fourth quarter. This sequence cemented a two‑score lead that Washington could not overcome.
Beyond the on‑field action, the game highlighted several broader storylines. The NFL’s return to London continues to draw enthusiastic crowds, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium proved once again to be a premier venue for American football. The next International Series matchup will see the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars the following Sunday, followed by a clash between the Houston Texans and the Jaguars at Wembley on October 18. For fans wanting to follow the season, Sky Sports offers live coverage of all games, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for February 14, 2027, with flexible streaming options through NOW without a contract.
In summary, Jonathan Taylor’s dual touchdowns and the Colts’ balanced attack—combining effective rushing, timely passing, and reliable kicking—propelled Indianapolis to a convincing win over a struggling Washington squad. The Commanders’ early lead and brief resurgence were ultimately insufficient to counter the Colts’ relentless pressure and strategic execution, underscoring Indianapolis’s readiness for the remainder of the season.
The London stage provided a memorable backdrop for a game that featured dramatic turnovers, a rookie quarterback’s growing pains, and a veteran running back’s showcase performance, all of which set the tone for an exciting international leg of the NFL’s 2026 campaign.