Jonathan Taylor scored twice as Indianapolis Colts overcame Washington Commanders 30-13 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to open this year’s triple-header of NFL International Series games in London.
The Commanders initially had the better of things, limiting the Colts offense to 20 total yards in the first quarter as they claimed a 6-0 lead.
But an injury to QB Marcus Mariota when sacked on the play prior to Washington’s second field goal proved a turning point, with third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis – a seventh-round draft pick – unable to lead the Commanders to victory despite a couple of eye-catching plays, including a 47-yard deep-ball TD for his first in the NFL.
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Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis finds Treylon Burks for his first NFL touchdown
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, who had two turnovers in the first half, ran in Indianapolis’ third touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter to stretch their lead to two scores – and there was to be no way back for Washington.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones dives in for the game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter
The NFL returns to Tottenham next Sunday for a clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars, who are back in action facing the Houston Texans at Wembley a week later, on Sunday October 18.
Stats leaders:
Indianapolis Colts
- Passing: Daniel Jones, 19/34, 143 yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Jonathan Taylor, 20 carries, 95 yards, 2 TDs
- Receiving: Laquon Treadwell, 9 catches, 42 yards
Jonathan Taylor scored two rushing touchdowns for Indianapolis Colts
Washington Commanders
- Passing: Athan Kaliakmanis, 15/33, 186 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing: Marcus Mariota, 1 carry, 35 yards
- Receiving: Dyami Brown, 3 catches, 65 yards
The Colts fell behind early when Jones lost the football after he was accidentally tripped by his own team-mate, with the Commanders scoring a field goal after Odafe Oweh recovered the ball at the 20-yard line.
Mariota, filling in for injured starting QB Jayden Daniels, left the game with a knee injury when sacked on the play prior to Washington’s second field goal.
Kaliakmanis came in, the 223rd overall pick from the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and though he found the going tough early on his NFL debut, Colts veteran Jones was similarly struggling and was picked off by Rasul Douglas.
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Jonathan Taylor runs into the end zone for the Indianapolis Colts’ first touchdown in their NFL clash with Washington Commanders in London
But the Colts soon took over again on downs after the Commanders’ call to go for it on fourth down from their own 46-yard line. It would prove a poor decision, helping set up Taylor’s opening TD for Indianapolis to see them into a lead that they stretched to four by the half with the first of Spencer Shrader’s three field goals. Taylor celebrated his score by pantomiming drinking tea in the end zone.
Kaliakmanis threw a costly interception early in the third quarter, with Taylor’s second five-yard scoring run of the game then making it 17-6.
Kaliakmanis bounced back on the next drive, though, hitting Treylon Burks on a stunning, 47-yard touchdown pass deep down the left sideline that closed the gap as Burks got past star cornerback Sauce Gardner.
But the Colts (2-2) answered back with further Shrader field goals either side of Jones’ touchdown run from four yards out early in the fourth quarter.
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