Colts (1-2) vs. Commanders (1-2) Week 4 Preview

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

The Indianapolis Colts will play the Washington Commanders on October 4 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with both teams holding 1-2 records and the Colts favored by three points. The game’s outcome is expected to hinge on Indianapolis exploiting Washington’s weak pass defense while the Commanders aim to limit the Colts’ rushing attack and leverage big plays from their top receivers.

The Indianapolis Colts will face the Washington Commanders in a Week 4 NFL matchup scheduled for Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m. ET at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Both teams enter the game with 1-2 records, seeking to gain momentum early in the season. The game will be broadcast on NFL Network, with BetMGM listing the Colts as 3-point favorites.

The Colts’ offense is expected to capitalize on what is considered one of the weaker defenses they have encountered so far this season. Washington’s defense has notably struggled against the pass, ranking near the bottom of the league in points and passing yards allowed. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will likely distribute the ball extensively among his receiving corps, which includes Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, and Darius Slayton. Given Washington’s strong run defense—allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards this year—running back Jonathan Taylor may face limited opportunities to gain ground on the ground.

For the Commanders, containing Taylor’s rushing threat is a primary objective. Slowing the Colts’ ground game could force Jones into risky passing situations. Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota will need to connect on substantial plays to receivers Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs in order to keep pace with Indianapolis. The Commanders’ defense has generally excelled against the run but has been vulnerable to big passing plays, posing challenges in containing the balanced Colts offense.

A key battle to watch lies in the secondary, as Indianapolis cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward are matched up against Washington’s top receivers McLaurin and Diggs. Guerrilla-style coverage against two premier wideouts is a scenario Indianapolis’ defense has prepared for, with Gardner expressing eagerness to be targeted more heavily by opponents.

Analysts project the Colts to hold an edge in this contest, citing Washington’s defensive struggles and Indianapolis’ versatile offensive weapons. The Colts are favored to secure a 30-20 victory as they seek to improve to .500 on the season while the Commanders attempt to move past their early challenges.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.