The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Washington Commanders 30-13 on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The Colts vs Commanders matchup changed early when Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota left with a right knee injury and was replaced by rookie Athan Kaliakmanis.
Indianapolis improved to 2-2 with the victory, while Washington fell to 1-3 after starting its second-string quarterback because Jayden Daniels was unavailable with an elbow injury.
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Colts Vs Commanders: Colts pull away after tight first half
Washington led 6-0 early, but the Colts went into halftime ahead 10-6 after Jonathan Taylor scored on a five-yard run and Spencer Shrader converted a 47-yard field goal.
Indianapolis struggled to move the ball consistently in the opening half and committed two turnovers, but its defence kept Washington from turning the early advantage into a larger lead.
The Commanders were also hurt by penalties, committing 10 infractions compared with one flag against the Colts.
| Team | Final score | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 30 | 2-2 |
| Washington Commanders | 13 | 1-3 |
Marcus Mariota injury forces quarterback change
Mariota started for Washington after Daniels was ruled out before the game, but he exited during the first quarter after taking a sack from Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu.
Mariota completed three of four passes for 46 yards and added a 35-yard run before leaving the game.
Kaliakmanis then made his first regular-season NFL appearance, becoming Washington’s third quarterback option for the game.
The 2026 seventh-round pick completed 15 of 33 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
His touchdown came on a 47-yard pass to Treylon Burks, which briefly brought Washington within four points in the third quarter.
However, the Colts forced three punts and a turnover on downs during Kaliakmanis’ first four drives before Jaylon Carlies intercepted him on a third-and-17 throw.
Jonathan Taylor leads Indianapolis offence
Taylor scored twice on five-yard runs and helped Indianapolis control the game after halftime.
The Colts running back also produced a key 40-yard rushing stretch during a 51-yard drive that ended with quarterback Daniel Jones scoring on a four-yard zone-read keeper.
Jones connected with Laquon Treadwell on the drive that set up Taylor’s second touchdown.
Shrader added field goals from 52 and 44 yards in the second half to keep Washington from mounting a late comeback.
Taylor’s first touchdown was his fifth in an NFL game played outside the United States, giving him the most international rushing touchdowns in league history.
Colts defence closes out London win
Indianapolis repeatedly pressured Kaliakmanis as Washington tried to regain momentum.
Laiatu Latu stopped a fourth-and-one attempt in the fourth quarter, forcing an incompletion and giving the Colts possession at the Commanders’ 46-yard line.
Indianapolis converted the short field into Shrader’s final field goal, extending the lead to 30-13 with less than six minutes remaining.
The Colts have now won three consecutive international games, following victories in Frankfurt in 2023, Berlin in 2025 and London in 2026.
What comes next for both teams
The Colts return to the United States for a Week 5 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 11, 2026.
Washington’s immediate focus will be its quarterback situation, with Mariota’s knee injury added to Daniels’ elbow recovery.
The Commanders had hoped Mariota could provide stability after leading the team to a 33-31 win over Seattle the previous week.
Instead, Washington finished the London game with its third quarterback and will have to assess both the injury outlook and Daniels’ readiness before its next contest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Colts vs Commanders score?
The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Washington Commanders 30-13 in London on October 4, 2026.
Who scored touchdowns for the Colts?
Jonathan Taylor scored two rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Daniel Jones added a rushing touchdown.
What happened to Marcus Mariota?
Mariota left the game in the first quarter with a right knee injury after taking a sack from Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu.
Who replaced Marcus Mariota?
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis replaced Mariota and made his first regular-season NFL appearance.
What are the Colts and Commanders records after the game?
The Colts improved to 2-2, while the Commanders dropped to 1-3.
Fact-Checked: Key game details, player statistics, injury developments and the final score were checked against official Colts and NFL information.
Disclaimer: Injury diagnoses and return timelines remain subject to further medical evaluation and team updates.