The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday because the NFL begins a run of three consecutive regular-season video games in London.
Each groups arrive with 1-2 data after securing their first wins of the season in Week 3. Indianapolis beat the Houston Texans 19-17, whereas Washington edged the Seattle Seahawks 33-31. That provides Sunday’s cross-conference assembly added significance earlier than each schedules transfer deeper into October.
The schedule lists Kick-off for two.30 pm BST on Sunday, 4 October. The Commanders are the designated house workforce, regardless of the sport happening at Tottenham reasonably than Northwest Stadium. It’s the first of three London video games on the 2026 NFL worldwide schedule.
For readers following the season, World in Sport’s NFL protection contains the most recent previews, outcomes and league developments.
Colts and Commanders enter London at 1-2
Neither facet has loved a simple opening three weeks.
Indianapolis began with a 41-23 house defeat towards the Baltimore Ravens earlier than shedding 33-30 in time beyond regulation on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Shane Steichen’s facet then responded towards Houston.
The 19-17 victory ended a nine-game Colts shedding run stretching again into final season. Spencer Shrader kicked the decisive 53-yard subject objective after Houston had taken a late lead.
The outcome provided encouragement for a defence that had struggled badly by way of the opening fortnight. Indianapolis allowed solely 223 complete yards towards Houston after conceding 1,029 throughout the primary two matches.
Nonetheless, the Colts nonetheless gave the ball away 3 times. Daniel Jones dedicated all three turnovers as Indianapolis grew to become the primary Colts workforce since 1999 to win regardless of ending a minimum of minus-three in turnover differential.
Washington additionally wanted Week 3 to maneuver into the win column.
The Commanders beat Seattle 33-31 with Marcus Mariota beginning at quarterback rather than the injured Jayden Daniels. Mariota accomplished 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns with out an interception.
That victory relieved a number of the early stress on Dan Quinn’s workforce and ensured either side journey into Sunday’s fixture with equivalent data.
Jayden Daniels’ health stays a serious query
Washington’s quarterback state of affairs is among the most necessary points forward of kick-off.
Daniels returned to follow on Wednesday however was restricted due to a left elbow damage. His availability for Sunday had not been confirmed on the time of writing.
That distinction issues. Mariota confirmed towards Seattle that Washington can function successfully with him behind centre, however the Commanders must alter once more if Daniels receives clearance to return.
The official Commanders damage report listed Daniels as restricted on Wednesday. Guard Sam Cosmi and security Nick Cross didn’t take part, whereas a number of different Washington gamers have been additionally restricted.
Indianapolis subsequently have to arrange for a couple of chance at quarterback reasonably than constructing their defensive plan round a confirmed starter.
For newer NFL followers, World in Sport’s information to NFL positions and participant roles explains how quarterback obligations match into an offence.
Indianapolis want to guard the soccer
The clearest concern for the Colts stays turnovers.
Jones helped Indianapolis transfer the ball towards Houston, however his three giveaways repeatedly positioned stress on the defence. He has dedicated 5 turnovers by way of the opening three video games.
Indianapolis can not assume they are going to overcome the identical downside in London.
Washington punished Seattle errors in Week 3. The Commanders scored 10 factors after receiving brief fields from turnovers, whereas linebacker Kain Medrano returned a fourth-quarter interception for a landing.
That creates a simple contest throughout the wider sport. Indianapolis have to maintain drives with out giving Washington beneficial subject place.
Jonathan Taylor stays central to that strategy. Houston restricted him to 68 yards from 23 carries final weekend, however an efficient working sport would ease the burden on Jones and assist Indianapolis handle possession.
Taylor was restricted at Wednesday’s follow, though the Colts listed that restriction as a veteran relaxation day reasonably than an damage concern. Keenan Allen and Charvarius Ward have been restricted for a similar purpose.
Kicker Shrader, who handled a groin subject earlier than making all 4 of his field-goal makes an attempt towards Houston, participated totally on Wednesday.
Colts defence face one other check after Houston enchancment
Indianapolis produced their greatest defensive efficiency of the younger season towards Houston.
The distinction from the primary two weeks was appreciable. The Texans managed simply 67 yards within the opening half and completed with 223. C.J. Stroud threw for 167 yards.
Sunday will present whether or not that enchancment can carry throughout the Atlantic.
Washington demonstrated towards Seattle that they will discover factors with out producing big passing numbers. In addition they benefited from subject place and defensive scoring.
The Colts subsequently have to restrict explosive performs whereas additionally avoiding the sudden-change conditions that adopted offensive turnovers towards Houston.
Followers unfamiliar with ideas corresponding to turnovers, downs and subject place can discover them defined in World in Sport’s NFL guidelines information.
London begins three-week NFL run
Sunday’s sport opens the NFL’s three-week keep in London.
Philadelphia Eagles face Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 11 October earlier than Jacksonville meet Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on 18 October. The schedule lists all three video games for two.30 pm native kick-offs.
The Colts and Commanders each performed in Europe final season. Indianapolis beat Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, whereas Washington misplaced to Miami Dolphins in Madrid.
Washington have additionally beforehand performed a regular-season sport in London, showing within the metropolis in 2016.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has change into one of many NFL’s important European venues. Its purpose-built retractable soccer pitch permits NFL video games to be staged on a separate synthetic floor beneath.
Colts vs Commanders key particulars
| Element | Info |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders |
| Date | Sunday, 4 October 2026 |
| Kick-off | 2.30pm BST |
| Venue | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London |
| Week | NFL Week 4 |
| Colts document | 1-2 |
| Commanders document | 1-2 |
| Designated house workforce | Washington Commanders |
The Colts lead the regular-season sequence between the groups 21-11. Washington received their most up-to-date assembly 17-16 in Indianapolis in October 2022.
This assembly arrives with each groups attempting to show one victory into momentum. Indianapolis have simply produced a much-needed defensive response, whereas Washington have proven they will win with Mariota if Daniels is unavailable.
The ultimate quarterback choice for the Commanders and every workforce’s capacity to guard possession ought to form a lot of Sunday’s contest at Tottenham.
