The Colts won’t have to deal with Jayden Daniels in Week 4, but that news doesn’t exactly hand Indianapolis a free pass in London.
Washington ruled Daniels out with a left elbow injury, taking one big name off the board for Sunday’s matchup. Still, the switch from Daniels to Marcus Mariota doesn’t turn the Commanders into an easy out. Mariota has enough experience to handle what a defense throws at him, and he just helped Washington put up nearly 30 points against a strong Seattle Seahawks defense.
That game was a 33-31 Washington win, and one of the Commanders’ touchdowns came on an interception return. Even so, Mariota was productive enough to keep the offense moving.
He completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, while adding five carries for 11 yards and a key first down late. He doesn’t bring the same explosive ceiling, but he also tends to keep his team out of trouble.
Mariota also showed he’s willing to attack downfield. Against Seattle, he connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, one of the few big strikes in the game.
From Indianapolis’ side, the setup still looks favorable. Washington’s pass defense has been rough, and even without Alec Pierce because of a heel injury, Daniel Jones should have enough room to guide an efficient passing attack. The Colts’ defense also looked much more like the unit the team expected in Week 3, which matters after the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs got the better of Indianapolis in Weeks 1 and 2.
Mariota is not Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes, and Daniels isn’t either. That’s why the Colts still hold the edge in this one, even with Daniels out. Washington may lose a little firepower without its starter, but Indianapolis was likely coming into this game feeling good about its chances either way.
In Other News...
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Anthony Hill, the rookie linebacker in Tennessee, has turned that same class into an uncomfortable comparison for Indianapolis by opening his career with far more impact and earning AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for September. It is early, but the gap in early returns has already raised the kind of second-guessing that can linger all season, especially when a young player has yet to match the expectations set by the general manager who helped bring him in. [Read more 🡒]
Colts London Matchup Suddenly Centers On Washingtons Biggest Week 4 Decision
The Commanders trip to London has quickly turned into more than just another international showcase, with the buildup to Sundays game against the Colts now shaped by the health of Jayden Daniels and a few other key names on Washingtons injury report. The team listed several players as non-participants or limited in practice, and the early arrival in London was part of a broader plan to settle in before a game that now carries a little extra uncertainty.
Dan Quinn has been careful not to rush Daniels back, stressing caution as Washington weighs its biggest Week 4 decision. Daniels, for his part, has made it clear he wants to play, but his mobility remains part of the conversation as the Commanders try to balance urgency with the long view. For Indianapolis, the matchup suddenly looks less like a straightforward overseas test and more like a game that could hinge on how Washington handles its quarterback situation. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Are Doubling Down On A Growing Connection Overseas
The Colts have made international growth part of their identity, leaning into the NFLs push to build a bigger footprint overseas while taking their brand directly to fans in London and Germany. Through games and team events, Indianapolis has tried to show that the leagues full gameday atmosphere can translate well abroad, not just the on-field product but the entire experience that surrounds it.
Blue has become a familiar part of those activations, helping give the Colts a visible, playful presence as the team works to connect with new audiences. For the organization, the effort is about more than a one-off trip or a marketing stop. It fits a broader belief from team executives that the NFLs future includes a stronger global reach, and the Colts want to be seen as part of that growth. [Read more 🡒]