Colts Pull Away From Commanders 30-13 in London
The Indianapolis Colts handled the Washington Commanders 30-13 in London on October 4, pulling away in a Week 4 matchup that turned on quarterback injuries and running back Jonathan Taylor.
Indianapolis led 17-6 at half-time and never lost control. Taylor scored twice, once on either side of the break, to give the Colts separation in a game both teams entered at 1-2 after Week 3 wins, according to Yahoo Sports and AP.
Taylor finished with 95 rushing yards. It was a steadier outing than a bruising one, especially for a back who entered the day with 73 career rushing touchdowns, per ESPN, and who piled up 244 rushing yards and 286 yards from scrimmage in an international game last season, per NFL.com.
Indianapolis did not need much through the air. Quarterback Daniel Jones completed 19 of 34 passes for 143 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Kicker Spencer Shrader added a 48-yard field goal as the Colts stacked points without a big passing play.
Washington never found stability at quarterback. Starter Jayden Daniels missed the game with an elbow injury. Backup Marcus Mariota started in his place, as reported by Yahoo Sports, then left early with a knee injury.
That forced rookie third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis into the game. His first throw of the second half was intercepted, setting up Taylor's second touchdown and a 24-6 Colts lead. It was a harsh welcome, the kind of mistake where a forced throw into coverage flips field position in one snap.
Kaliakmanis answered later. He hit Treylon Burks for a 47-yard touchdown, Washington's clearest strike of the morning. Indianapolis defensive tackle DeForest Buckner also delivered one of the defense's loudest moments, knocking Kaliakmanis as he threw to force an incompletion.
Washington left other points on the field. An 80-yard touchdown by Antonio Williams was wiped out by an illegal shift penalty, a call for too many players moving before the snap. Kicker Drew Stevens did connect from 31 yards, but the Commanders chased the game from the second quarter on.
The early kickoff at 9:30 a.m. ET did not slow Indianapolis. The Colts leaned on the run, played clean enough on defense, and turned Washington's quarterback shuffle into short fields and momentum.
What makes this stand out is how simple the formula was. Indianapolis ran it with its best player, protected a two-score lead, and let a short-handed opponent make the first big mistake after halftime.
