Commanders Fall Apart After Fast Start, Lose 30-13 to Indianapolis in London
The Washington Commanders could not turn an encouraging start into a much-needed victory Sunday morning, falling 30-13 to the Indianapolis professional football team at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Washington jumped ahead 6-0 and had opportunities to build a larger advantage, but another quarterback injury, costly penalties and an offense that struggled to sustain drives allowed Indianapolis to take control. The loss dropped Washington to 1-3 through the first four games of the season, while Indianapolis improved to 2-2.
Washington entered the game without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was ruled out because of injury, leaving Marcus Mariota to make his second start of the season. The Commanders were also without running back Rachaad White, while wide receiver Terry McLaurin was a surprise inactive after suffering a hamstring injury in practice. Despite the depleted lineup, Washington started the game looking like the sharper team.
Commanders Start Fast
Washington took advantage of an Indianapolis turnover almost immediately. Daniel Jones fumbled on the second play from scrimmage, giving the Commanders excellent field position and an opportunity to establish control of the game. Washington ultimately settled for a Drew Stevens 31-yard field goal, taking a 3-0 lead rather than turning the turnover into seven points.
Mariota then broke loose for a 35-yard run on Washington’s next possession and helped move the Commanders deep into Indianapolis territory. The drive reached the five-yard line, but Mariota was sacked for a six-yard loss on third down and immediately showed signs of discomfort. Stevens connected from 29 yards to make it 6-0, but the more significant development was Mariota leaving the game with a knee injury.
That forced rookie seventh-round quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis into action much earlier than Washington could have anticipated. Mariota finished 3-of-4 passing for 46 yards and added 35 rushing yards on his only carry. With Daniels already sidelined, Washington suddenly found itself playing its third quarterback of the young season.
Washington Fails to Capitalize
The Commanders defense gave Washington another opportunity when Rasul Douglas intercepted Jones for his first interception of the season. Instead of taking advantage and potentially building a two-score lead, however, the offense stalled. Washington punted on three consecutive possessions as Indianapolis slowly recovered from its poor start.
Indianapolis finally broke through late in the second quarter. A Washington unnecessary roughness penalty extended a Colts drive that otherwise would have resulted in a field-goal attempt, and Jonathan Taylor eventually scored on a five-yard run. The extra point gave Indianapolis a 7-6 advantage.
Spencer Shrader then connected on a 48-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the half. Despite forcing two Indianapolis turnovers and controlling much of the opening quarter, Washington went into halftime trailing 10-6.
That was the first major missed opportunity for the Commanders. Indianapolis’ first five offensive possessions produced two turnovers and three punts, yet Washington managed only six points during that stretch.
Third Quarter Turns the Game
Things became considerably more difficult for Kaliakmanis and the Washington offense immediately after halftime. The rookie threw an interception early in the third quarter, giving Indianapolis a short field. Four plays later, Taylor scored his second five-yard touchdown of the game to extend the Colts’ lead to 17-6.
Kaliakmanis responded with his best throw of the afternoon. He connected with Treylon Burks for a 47-yard touchdown, with Burks getting behind Indianapolis cornerback Sauce Gardner for the score. Stevens’ extra point suddenly made it 17-13 with 10:39 remaining in the third quarter and put Washington right back into the game.
The rookie quarterback showed flashes despite being unexpectedly thrown into a difficult situation. Kaliakmanis later connected with Dyami Brown for 48 yards, another explosive play against Gardner. Kaliakmanis finished 15-of-33 for 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Washington could not turn those explosive plays into enough points. Indianapolis answered Burks’ touchdown with Shrader’s 52-yard field goal, pushing the lead back to 20-13.
Penalties Crush Washington
One of Washington’s biggest problems throughout the afternoon was its inability to stay out of its own way. The Commanders were penalized 10 times for 84 yards compared with just one Indianapolis penalty for five yards. That 79-yard difference in penalty yardage was particularly damaging in a game Washington had opportunities to control.
Perhaps the most painful mistake came when Kaliakmanis appeared to connect with Antonio Williams for an 87-yard touchdown. The play would have dramatically changed the game, but an illegal shift wiped the touchdown off the board. Instead of potentially tying the game, Washington came away empty-handed.
Indianapolis eventually put the game away in the fourth quarter. Jones scrambled four yards for a touchdown with 11:44 remaining, extending the lead to 27-13. Shrader’s 44-yard field goal with 5:52 remaining produced the final 30-13 margin.
Taylor Carries Indianapolis
Taylor became the difference-maker after Washington’s defense controlled the opening portion of the game. He carried 20 times for 95 yards and scored two touchdowns, giving Indianapolis a dependable offensive option while Jones struggled through another turnover-filled performance.
Jones completed 19-of-34 passes for only 143 yards with no passing touchdowns and an interception. He also lost a fumble, although his four-yard rushing touchdown helped Indianapolis finish the game. Jones has now committed seven turnovers this season, but Washington could not punish Indianapolis enough for his mistakes.
Washington actually outgained Indianapolis 317-257 and averaged 5.2 yards per play compared with Indianapolis’ 3.9. Those numbers normally would suggest a much closer game, but they were overwhelmed by Washington’s inability to finish drives, convert third downs and avoid penalties.
The Commanders converted only 2-of-15 third-down opportunities. That statistic, combined with the 10 penalties, explains how Washington could outgain its opponent by 60 yards and still lose by 17 points.
Injuries Continue to Mount
Mariota’s knee injury is now another major concern for a Washington team already dealing with significant injuries. The Commanders announced during the game that Mariota had suffered a knee injury, while his availability moving forward remains uncertain. Daniels is expected to return to practice Wednesday, which suddenly becomes one of the biggest developments to watch this week.
Washington also lost Charles Omenihu to a groin injury during the game, while Jaylin Lane was carted from the field with an apparent leg injury. Sonny Styles, Amik Robertson and Jeremy Reaves also dealt with injuries, although each returned to action.
The Commanders now return home for an important NFC East matchup against the New York Giants. At 1-3, Washington cannot afford to allow its early-season struggles to continue much longer, especially with divisional games becoming increasingly important.
MSB Take
This was a game Washington absolutely had an opportunity to win, and the final score does not tell the entire story. The Commanders forced two early turnovers, led 6-0, outgained Indianapolis and had an 87-yard touchdown erased by a penalty. A 30-13 loss under those circumstances is incredibly frustrating.
Mariota’s injury obviously changed the offense, and asking a seventh-round rookie quarterback to take over unexpectedly in London is hardly an ideal situation. Kaliakmanis deserves some credit for continuing to attack downfield, particularly on his touchdown to Burks and 48-yard completion to Brown. Washington still needed to help him more than it did.
Ten penalties for 84 yards and a 2-for-15 performance on third down are not winning football. The Commanders repeatedly gave Indianapolis extra opportunities while failing to capitalize on the Colts’ mistakes. Washington had a chance to put Indianapolis in a significant early hole and simply did not do it.
Getting Daniels healthy could change the outlook quickly, but Washington is now 1-3 and has little room to keep giving games away. Sunday’s loss was not simply about being short-handed at quarterback. The Commanders had opportunities to win this game, and their own mistakes played a major role in letting those opportunities disappear.
