The Washington Commanders couldn't overcome miscues and injuries after falling, 30-13, against the Indianapolis Colts in London
For the second straight year, the Washington Commanders dropped its international regular season game after the Indianapolis Colts walked out of Wembley Stadium following a 30-13 finish.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis finished 15-of-33 with 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Stefon Diggs notched 35 yards on five catches, while Dyami Brown recorded 65 yards on three catches highlighted by a 48 yard catch.
It started well, though, and it didn't take long for the defense to shine after Odafe Oweh came down with his first fumble recovery of the season on just the second play of the game, courtesy of a miscue by Colts QB Daniel Jones. Washington's drive on a short field ended quickly, but was enough to end in points after Drew Stevens drilled a 31 yard field goal to open the scoring.
Washington followed it up with another encouraging drive, first courtesy of a 35 yard run by QB Marcus Mariota then a 35 yard completion to RB Bill Croskey-Merritt. Yet the offense stalled for a second straight redzone trip, leading Stevens back on the field for a 29 yard field goal that put Washington ahead, 6-0.
Yet the second field goal came with a mix of news after Mariota went down with what the team ruled a knee injury, leading rookie Athan Kaliakmanis to step in as the replacement for his first NFL action.
The Commanders defense, meanwhile, was lights out after allowing just one yard of offense through the first two drives, but the tide flipped midway through the second quarter.
After offensive coordinator David Blough elected to turn to running back Craig Reynolds on a 4th-and-2, the Colts' offense rode the momentum of the stop and short field into a scoring drive, which was also aided by an unnecessary roughness on cornerback Amik Robertson. Jonathan Taylor notched his fifth rushing touchdown of the season after bouncing outside for a five yard touchdown, the game's first touchdown with the Colts ahead, 7-6.
The Colts then added to their growing momentum after driving 51 yards on eight plays to drill a 48 yard field goal to close the first half with a 10-6 lead over the Commanders.
With a chance to flip the script to begin the second half, Kaliakmanis tossed an ill-advised interception on 3rd-and-long. The Colts quickly turned into Jonathan Taylor's second touchdown of the day, capping off a four play, 20 yard drive to extend Washington's deficit to 17-6.
Kaliakmanis then gave Washington hope after a 47 yard touchdown marked his first career touchdown, connecting with wide receiver Treylon Burks to cut the deficit to 17-13.
After the Colts drilled a field goal to push the deficit back to seven, the Commanders nearly made it a brand new game after rookie Antonio Williams notched an 87 yard touchdown -- only to be negated by two penalties against Washington.
Yet the Colts seemingly delivered the final blow on a drive that carried into the start of the fourth quarter after a four yard rush by Daniel Jones pushed Washington's deficit to 27-13.
The Colts capped the game off with a field goal midway through the fourth quarter, handing the Commanders already their third loss of the season.
Washington also turned to Lucas Patrick at center with rookie Matt Gulbin drawing the start at right guard over Nick Allegretti in Sam Cosmi's absence. Defensive lineman Charles Omenihu was also ruled out at halftime after suffering a groin injury, while wide receiver Jaylin Lane was carted off the field following a kickoff in the opening minutes of the second half. Safety Jeremy Reaves was also ruled questionable to return due to a finger injury.
The Commanders will return to Washington next weekend to host the New York Giants, marking the third divisional matchup in the first five games. Kickoff is set for 1 PM ET.
