The Indianapolis Colts delivered a strong second-half performance to defeat the Washington Commanders 30-13 on October 4, 2026. The Week 4 matchup took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London as part of the NFL’s international schedule. Washington started quickly and held a 6-0 advantage after the opening quarter. Indianapolis responded with 30 unanswered points across key stretches of the game and controlled the contest when it mattered most.
Jonathan Taylor played a central role in Indianapolis’ victory. The Colts running back rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, while Daniel Jones added a rushing touchdown. Spencer Shrader also provided three important field goals. Washington managed 317 total yards compared with Indianapolis’ 257, but the Colts were much more effective in the red zone and on third downs.
Colts vs Commanders Final Score
The Colts finished the game with a 30-13 victory, improving their record to 2-2. The Commanders fell to 1-3 after failing to maintain their early advantage. Washington scored six points in the first quarter but managed only one touchdown during the rest of the game. Indianapolis scored 10 points in each of the final three quarters.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Washington Commanders | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
The scoring pattern shows how dramatically the game changed after the opening quarter. Washington initially created pressure and forced an Indianapolis turnover, but the Colts gradually established control. Their defense generated a crucial interception, while the offense converted its red-zone opportunities.
Jonathan Taylor Leads the Colts
Jonathan Taylor was the biggest offensive difference-maker for Indianapolis. He finished with 20 carries for 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Both of his touchdowns came on five-yard rushing plays, helping the Colts turn promising drives into points.
Taylor’s second touchdown was particularly important because it followed a Washington turnover. Jaylon Carlies intercepted Athan Kaliakmanis and returned the ball deep into Washington territory. Taylor then finished the drive with his second five-yard touchdown, giving Indianapolis a 17-6 advantage.
Daniel Jones Player Stats
Daniel Jones had an uneven passing performance but contributed an important rushing touchdown. He completed 19 of 34 passes for 143 yards, with one interception. He also rushed four times for two yards and scored on a four-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Jones also lost a fumble during the opening Indianapolis drive after pressure from Washington’s Odafe Oweh. That turnover helped the Commanders establish an early scoring opportunity. Despite the mistake, Jones settled down as the game progressed and helped Indianapolis finish with three touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts Receiving Leaders
The Colts did not rely on one dominant receiving performance. Instead, several players contributed throughout the passing game. Laquon Treadwell led Indianapolis with five receptions for 42 yards, while Tyler Warren also recorded five catches for 41 yards. Ashton Dulin added three receptions for 29 yards.
The passing numbers were modest, but Indianapolis maintained enough balance to keep Washington’s defense from focusing entirely on Taylor. The Colts finished with 128 rushing yards and 129 net passing yards, giving them a balanced offensive profile despite producing fewer total yards than Washington.
Washington Commanders Quarterback Stats
Washington’s quarterback situation became one of the biggest storylines of the game. Marcus Mariota started because Jayden Daniels was unavailable, but Mariota left after suffering a knee injury. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 46 yards before leaving the contest.
Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis then took over and completed 15 of 33 passes for 186 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He showed resilience by throwing a 47-yard touchdown pass to Treylon Burks in the third quarter, cutting Indianapolis’ advantage to four points. However, Washington could not produce another touchdown afterward.
Treylon Burks Provides Washington Highlight
Treylon Burks produced Washington’s biggest offensive highlight. Kaliakmanis connected with Burks on a 47-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, cutting the Colts’ lead to 17-13. The play briefly gave Washington momentum after the Commanders had struggled to generate touchdowns earlier.
Burks finished with one reception for 47 yards, making his only catch of the afternoon count. Dyami Brown was Washington’s leading receiver by yardage, recording three receptions for 65 yards. Jacory Croskey-Merritt also contributed two catches for 35 yards.
Spencer Shrader’s Important Field Goals
Colts kicker Spencer Shrader played an important role in Indianapolis’ scoring. He made three field goals, connecting from 48, 52, and 44 yards. Those kicks helped Indianapolis extend its lead during periods when the offense did not reach the end zone.
The 52-yard field goal was especially valuable. It came after Washington had narrowed the score to 17-13 through Burks’ touchdown. Shrader’s kick pushed the advantage back to seven points and helped Indianapolis regain control. His fourth-quarter 44-yarder eventually completed the scoring.
Team Statistics Tell the Story
Washington actually finished with more total offense. The Commanders produced 317 total yards, compared with 257 for Indianapolis. Washington also generated 217 net passing yards and 100 rushing yards. However, those yardage advantages did not translate into enough points.
The biggest difference came in situational football. Washington converted only 2 of 15 third downs and went 1-for-4 on fourth down. Indianapolis converted 5 of 16 third downs and was perfect on its lone fourth-down attempt. The Commanders also committed 10 penalties for 84 yards, while the Colts had only one penalty for five yards.
Key Defensive Highlights
The Colts defense produced an important takeaway when linebacker Jaylon Carlies intercepted Kaliakmanis in the third quarter. The interception came at the Washington 27-yard line and gave Indianapolis excellent field position. Taylor scored his second touchdown shortly afterward.
Washington’s defense also created early problems for Indianapolis. Odafe Oweh forced and recovered Jones’ fumble during the Colts’ opening possession. However, the Commanders could only turn that opportunity into a field goal. That failure to capitalize on turnovers became an important part of the final result.
First-Half Match Highlights
Washington controlled the opening quarter and scored twice through Drew Stevens field goals. The Commanders led 6-0 while Indianapolis struggled to generate early offensive momentum. The Colts finally answered in the second quarter when Taylor scored from five yards out.
Shrader then connected on a 48-yard field goal as the second quarter ended. Indianapolis entered halftime with a 10-6 advantage. That turnaround was significant because Washington had controlled the scoreboard early but failed to convert its early opportunities into touchdowns.
Second-Half Match Highlights
Indianapolis continued its momentum after halftime. Taylor scored his second touchdown early in the third quarter after Carlies’ interception, extending the Colts’ lead to 17-6. Washington responded when Kaliakmanis found Burks for the 47-yard touchdown.
The Colts answered with another Shrader field goal from 52 yards, making the score 20-13 after three quarters. Early in the fourth, Jones rushed for a four-yard touchdown to extend Indianapolis’ advantage. Shrader’s final 44-yard field goal then put the game beyond Washington’s reach.
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Why the Colts Won
The Colts won because they executed better in the most important situations. Their offense scored on all three of its red-zone opportunities, while Washington went scoreless on two red-zone trips. Indianapolis also avoided the penalty problems that hurt the Commanders throughout the game.
Taylor’s running performance gave Indianapolis a reliable scoring option, while the defense made Washington work for every possession. Although Washington gained more total yards, Indianapolis converted those opportunities into points more efficiently. That efficiency ultimately produced the 17-point margin.
Conclusion
The Indianapolis Colts’ 30-13 victory over the Washington Commanders was defined by a strong response after a slow start. Jonathan Taylor provided two rushing touchdowns, Daniel Jones added a rushing score, and Spencer Shrader made three field goals. The Colts also benefited from timely defensive plays and much cleaner execution.
For Washington, the loss highlighted the challenges created by quarterback injuries and poor situational execution. Mariota left early, Kaliakmanis stepped into an unexpected role, and the Commanders struggled badly on third and fourth downs. Despite gaining more total yards, Washington could not sustain drives or finish opportunities. Indianapolis improved to 2-2, while Washington dropped to 1-3 after the London matchup.
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