The Colts and Commanders meet in London on Sunday morning with both teams carrying a little momentum after getting into the win column last week. Indianapolis snapped its season-opening skid by beating the Houston Texans, while Washington followed by knocking off the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Oddsmakers like the Colts in this one. FanDuel Sportsbook has Indianapolis as a 3.5-point favorite, and the reason is pretty clear: Washington will once again be without quarterback Jayden Daniels. Terry McLaurin is also questionable with a hamstring issue, and that leaves the Commanders short-handed on offense.
That’s the setup for a Colts defense that expects to go after Marcus Mariota. One of the staff takes on the matchup put it this way: "With Daniels (elbow) already ruled out and Terry McLaurin (hamstring) popping up as questionable, Washington's offense won't be at full strength, and it certainly won't be as explosive or dynamic without Daniels. Marcus Mariota is one of the NFL's finest backups, but I expect Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to throw the kitchen sink at him to take full advantage of the situation.
"Washington's defense blitzes at the second-highest rate in the league, yet has just five sacks. If the Colts can take advantage of this, they could have some significant pass plays. Ashton Dulin's potential return could also spawn a big play or two in the kickoff return game."
Another prediction had Indianapolis on top, 30-24. "The Colts are coming off their first win in over 300 days and looking to build upon it out in London against the Commanders. The Commanders are a sneaky competitive team, despite starting Mariota at quarterback, as they boast a top run defense and a diverse passing attack on offense.
"The Colts need this to be a game where Daniel Jones protects the football while also keeping the offense efficient and in control. He showed he was capable of doing that last season; he just needs to play a cleaner game on Sunday. I'm expecting a strong showing from the passing offense against a bottom-five pass defense, and it should be enough to get the job done."
Jones has done a better job recently handling pressure. Against the blitz last Sunday, he completed 6 of 8 passes for 42 yards.
The turnovers, though, are still hanging around. He gave it away three times in that game, with two fumbles and an interception, and now has five turnovers through the first three weeks.
Mariota has filled in for Daniels in two games and won his only start. In those appearances, he has completed 30 of 47 passes for 294 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He has been sacked twice, owns a passer rating of 109.7 and has added six carries for 14 yards with one fumble.
In Other News...
Colts Draft Debate Just Got More Uncomfortable At Linebacker
CJ Allens first three games have not given the Colts much reason to feel better about the linebacker decision they made in the spring. The rookie has seen limited playing time and has made only a small statistical imprint so far, which is a difficult contrast for a team that expected immediate help in the middle of its defense and believed it had addressed a key need.
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 Avoid One Problem Sunday But Still Face A Real Threat
The Colts got one piece of good news heading into Sundays matchup with Washington, as Jayden Daniels has been ruled out with a left elbow injury. Marcus Mariota is expected to make the start in his place, and he has already shown he can keep an offense moving after working effectively against Seattle. Even with the change under center, Indianapolis is still being looked at as the favorite in Week 4.
Still, a quarterback switch does not automatically make the Commanders an easy draw. Mariota brings a different kind of challenge, one that can alter the feel of the game in a hurry if the Colts are not sharp early. For Indianapolis, the bigger issue may be less about who is starting for Washington and more about making sure a favorable setup does not turn into a tense afternoon. [Read more 🡒]