Daniel Jones doesn’t need much help spotting the opportunity in front of him Sunday in London. The Washington Commanders have been vulnerable through the air and sturdy against the run, which puts the Colts quarterback squarely in the spotlight for a game Indianapolis needs to win.
That’s the setup for a matchup that could tilt heavily on Jones’ arm. Washington has allowed 280.3 passing yards per game through three games, the second-most in the league. Only one team has been worse, and the Colts are right there with them at 276.0 - though Indianapolis won’t have to deal with Jayden Daniels (elbow) in this one.
The flip side is just as clear. The Commanders are holding opponents to 82.0 rushing yards per game, the third-lowest mark in the league, which makes life tougher for Jonathan Taylor. He has not been especially efficient so far, averaging 3.91 yards per carry with one fumble lost.
That pushes the pressure back onto Jones, who has had a season that’s looked like two different quarterbacks stitched together. He’s flashed poise in the pocket and delivered some excellent throws, only to follow that with decisions that have left people shaking their heads, including that head-scratching interception in Week 3. Overall, he’s completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 611 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Even with the mixed reviews, there’s reason to think this is the kind of defense Jones can attack. He’s never been the reckless gunslinger type, but he does have more arm talent than he’s often given credit for. When he’s on, he can place the ball well and hit receivers in stride, and that should matter against a Commanders secondary that has been shaky.
The Colts’ offensive line should also get a friendlier assignment after last week’s battle with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. If Jones gets a clean pocket, he should have a chance to pick apart one of the league’s weakest cornerback groups.
Marcus Mariota’s strong outing against the Seattle Seahawks showed what he can do when things break right, but that kind of performance isn’t something Washington can count on every week. He’ll throw it downfield, and that can create problems, but it can also end with the ball going the other way.
With a high-scoring game in play and Taylor unlikely to be the driving force, the Colts may need Jones to carry more of the load than usual. Sunday offers a clean chance for him to get rolling, build momentum, and strengthen his case for the future after getting paid big bucks this offseason.
In Other News...
Colts Fans Got Dragged Into The Jason Kelce Backlash Too
Jason Kelces growing presence around the NFL has started to follow the Colts into their own broadcast footprint. During the teams game against Washington in London, Kelce debuted as a color commentator for NFL Networks International Games, adding another high-profile platform to a list that already includes a widely aired YouTube TV commercial and a weekly podcast with his brother Travis.
The reaction from viewers was not especially warm, and some Colts fans took to social media to vent about the extra airtime and a player-name mistake on the broadcast. For a fan base watching its team overseas, the chatter around Kelce became part of the backdrop, turning a normal international showcase into another reminder of how quickly a familiar media face can become a lightning rod. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A Marvin Harrison Jr. Scenario Worth Watching
A rookie wide receiver of Marvin Harrison Jr.s pedigree is already drawing attention around the league, and not just because of his draft status. Through his first three games with the Cardinals, the No. 4 overall pick has had limited production, enough to spark trade rumors and push ESPNs Adam Schefter to report that teams are doing due diligence ahead of the November deadline.
For the Colts, that creates a scenario worth monitoring even if nothing appears imminent. Any conversation about Harrison will quickly turn into a search for the right fit, the right fit in the wrong place, and the kind of roster math that can make a big-name move feel possible before the deadline arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Owens And The Colts Just Got A Huge London Spotlight
Simone Biles has become one of the most visible supporters in the Colts orbit this season, showing up at games to back husband Jonathan Owens as he settles in with Indianapolis after stops with the Texans, Packers and Bears. Her latest appearance drew plenty of attention overseas, where she was spotted in London wearing a trench coat featuring Owens No. 38, a fittingly bold nod to a player whose NFL journey has already taken him across several teams.
For the Colts, any extra spotlight in London only adds to the intrigue around Owens new home. He has been in the league long enough to know how quickly a fresh setting can change the conversation, and Biles presence has only amplified the attention around his latest chapter. The bigger picture now is how much more of that international stage the Colts and Owens can keep turning into their own. [Read more 🡒]