Colts vs Commanders London 2026: Preview, Team News, Stats & UK Kick-Off Time

The NFL London Games are back, with the Indianapolis Colts taking on the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 4 October.

Both teams arrive in London at 1-2, but their routes to that record have been very different. Indianapolis finally got its first win of the season against Houston in Week 3, while Washington also enters the game looking to build momentum — but will have to do it without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels yet again.

Colts vs Commanders: Game Details

Game: Indianapolis Colts @ Washington Commanders
Date: Sunday 4 October 2026
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Records: Colts 1-2 | Commanders 1-2

Commanders Team News: Jayden Daniels OUT

Jayden Daniels will not play in London after dislocating his non-throwing left elbow against Dallas in Week 2. He travelled to London and took part on a limited basis in practice, but Washington head coach Dan Quinn confirmed on Friday that he has been ruled out.

That means Marcus Mariota will make his second start of the season. And Mariota has actually been pretty efficient when called upon:

294 passing yards | 63.8% completions | 4 TD | 0 INT.

Washington also has other injury concerns. Rachaad White, Sam Cosmi and Nick Cross are out, while star receiver Terry McLaurin is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Colts Team News

Indianapolis arrives in considerably better shape. The Colts list Keenan Allen (groin) and Ashton Dulin (ankle) as questionable.

That matters particularly for Daniel Jones and the passing game, but the player I’m most interested in for Indianapolis is Jonathan Taylor.

Player to Watch: Jonathan Taylor

Taylor has been given a huge workload through the opening three games:

66 carries | 258 yards | 4 TD | 3.9 yards per carry.

He’s tied for the NFL lead in rushing attempts, although the efficiency hasn’t yet been vintage Jonathan Taylor. Definitely a slow start for Taylor but he’s one of the best in the business and is sure to explode at some point soon. Should be an interesting battle against the Washington run defence.

Daniel Jones vs Marcus Mariota

Daniel Jones: 611 passing yards, 66.3% completions, 3 TD, 3 INT.

Marcus Mariota: 294 passing yards, 63.8% completions, 4 TD, 0 INT.

Jones has produced more volume, but the turnover numbers are significant when you combine them with one of the biggest statistical mismatches in the game.

UK Rookie Stat: The Turnover Battle

Indianapolis: -5 turnover differential
Washington: +2 turnover differential

That ranks the Colts 28th in the NFL and Washington 10th entering Week 4. Indianapolis also enters the game without a defensive interception through three weeks, while Washington has two.

UK Rookie Stat: Can the Colts Run the Ball?

Washington has been considerably more effective at limiting the run than Indianapolis so far, while Taylor is already carrying the ball 22 times per game.

Can Washington force Daniel Jones to beat them through the air rather than allowing Indianapolis to lean on Jonathan Taylor?

UK Rookie Stat: Don’t Rule Out Points

Neither defence has started the season particularly well on the scoreboard.

Colts: 30.3 points allowed per game
Commanders: 30.7 points allowed per game.

Washington is actually 31st in the NFL in points allowed through three games. But there is an important angle with Indianapolis.

They allowed 41 against Baltimore and 33 against Kansas City, before holding Houston to just 17 points in Week 3. That suggests the defence is starting to get on top now going into week 4.

Three Stats to Know

-7: Washington’s advantage in turnover differential (+2 vs -5)

66: Jonathan Taylor already has 66 carries through three games

0: Indianapolis has yet to record a defensive interception this season

Verdict

Losing Jayden Daniels is obviously a major blow, but Mariota has looked comfortable when called upon and has yet to throw an interception this season. The turnover differential worries me most for Indianapolis. If Washington can contain Jonathan Taylor and force Daniel Jones to throw the ball, I think the Commanders can edge the first London game of 2026. Let’s go!