Washington Commanders Opponent Preview: Indianapolis Colts

For the second straight year, the Washington Commanders will head to London as part of the international games with a chance for, on paper, the easiest of the first four games to start the 2026 regular season. We dive into what should fans know about the Indianapolis Colts, who return ample key pieces as safety Nick Cross prepares to face his former team for the first time.

2025 Record: 8-9, third in AFC South

Key Players: Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner, Sauce Gardner, Laiatu Latu

Key Losses: Nick Cross, Kwity Paye, Michael Pittman Jr, Zaire Franklin, Braden Smith

Key Additions: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Colby Wooden, Jonathan Owens, Cam Taylor-Britt

How They Fared in 2025:

Indianapolis was off to a hot start in 2025, starting the season 8-2, thanks to excellent QB play from former Giant Daniel Jones. However, the team lost their last seven games, and Jones missed the last four with a torn ACL. Before the injury, Jones was having the best season of his career, as he completed 68% of his passes and was on pace to have career highs in passing yards and touchdowns. To finish out the season, the Colts signed Phillip Rivers, who had been retired for five years, and started Riley Leonard in the final game. Running back Jonathan Taylor started every game for the first time since 2021 and led the league in both carries and rushing touchdowns.

At receiver, Alec Pierce led the league in yards per catch, with an average of over 21. This earned him a 4-year, $114 million contract over the offseason with Washington a finalist in free agency, leading the team to trade Michael Pittman Jr to the Steelers. Overall, the offense finished in the top ten in points scored, total yards, passing yards, and rushing touchdowns. The defense struggled to defend the pass in 2025. The Colts gave up the second-most yards through the air, but were in the top 15 in both touchdowns scored against and interceptions. The run defense finished seventh in yards given up and had the second-fewest touchdowns given up. Second-year defensive lineman Laiatu Latu led the team in sacks with 8.5. Over the offseason, the team lost longtime player Kwity Paye, Zaire Franklin, and Nick Cross, who signed with Washington.

Key Matchup: RB Jonathan Taylor vs. Washington defensive line

Taylor is one of the best backs in football when on the field. The issue for him throughout his career has been staying healthy and available. 2025 saw him play every game for the first time since 2021, and he rushed for over 1500 yards, leading the league in rushing touchdowns along the way. Taylor will be the second arguably top-five back the Commanders will face in their first four games, the other being Saquon Barkley in week one.

Daron Payne and the defensive line will have another big challenge for them while the season is still young. It should be around this time that the questions surrounding the unit start to get answered. Washington signed Tim Settle, DJ Davidson, and Charles Omenihu over the offseason. How will they fit in this defense? Will Javon Kinlaw rebound from a struggling first year in Washington? Lastly, will Jer’Zhan Newton start to show signs of a breakout season coming? Taking away Taylor’s production will go a long way in helping the Commanders’ chances of taking this home matchup -- could this be the game Settle proves to loom large?

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