Game Preview, Week 4: Indianapolis Colts at Washington
October 2, 2026
by Steve Thomas
Washington defied all expectations last week and defeated the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, handing them their first loss in 12 games. Washington got the job done thanks to a great job in taking advantage of turnovers, first and foremost, but also getting their offense to the point that it looked like a competent, successful unit. This week brings the Indianapolis Colts, who are actually in a very similar situation to Washington, in that they lost to much better teams in weeks 1 and 2, then got an unexpected victory in week 3. Also, the fact that this game is in London means that neither team will have the benefit of a home crowd. Therefore, while Washington’s fanbase is rightfully and understandably excited, this game isn’t necessarily the guaranteed win that one might expect given that Washington just defeated the 2025 champs. Expect a good, hard-fought game. Our game preview is below.
Game time & location: Sunday, October 4, 2026, 9:30 a.m. ET, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England; gates open 12:30 p.m. BST; parking lots open 9:30 a.m. BST;
Television: NFL Network
Television announcers: Dave Pasch, Kurt Warner, Jason Kelce
TV broadcast map: Click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: Click here
Colts radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 194 (Wash. broad.), 831 (Wash. broad.)
Washington roster: Click here
Washington depth chart: Click here
Colts roster: Click here
Colts depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Colts: 11 – 21 (last 10: 5 – 5)
Last meeting: W, October 30, 2022, 17 – 16
Colts record: 1 – 2 (2nd place) / away: 4 – 3 / NFC: 0 – 0
Washington record: 1 – 2 (4th place) / home: 1 – 0 / AFC: 0 – 0
Early odds: Washington, -1.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Don’t have a letdown after week 3
Washington got a massive win in their first home game of the season last week, very likely saving the season from a very early death. It would be pretty easy to suffer a letdown after such a big win. The coaching staff needs to take extra precautions to ensure that the players move on and forget about last week, particularly in light of the fact that they have to travel all the way to London for this game. I’ll be watching for the team to appear motivated on both sides of the ball, and to play clean, mistake-free football right from the start. In my view, irrespective of anything else, this is the single most important factor in this game. If they can keep up the good play from last week, they have a pretty good chance of winning.
Focus on the Colts’ passing game
It’s not like the Colts are the second coming of the something like the Rams’ Greatest Show on Turf, or anything close to it, but they do have a decent quarterback in Daniel Jones and some talented receivers. In contrast, their running game is the weaker link. My defensive strategy – other than to simply play good defense – is to focus on controlling Josh Downs and Alec Pierce and forcing the Colts to beat them on the ground. Running back Jonathan Taylor has talent, but hasn’t achieved good results yet this season. Don’t forget about the rush; just take out the Colts’ best offensive players.
Sustained drives through a solid rushing attack
I feel like I say this every week, but Washington’s sustained offensive success is only going to come through a consistently effective rushing attack that can set up the pass. For all of Washington’s success last week, they were actually pretty terrible on the ground. That’s understandable, somewhat, against an elite defense like Seattle, but against the Colts – who were terrible in rushing defense in weeks 1 and 2, but slightly better in week 3, there’s no excuse for not getting the running game established. This is an offensive key not only for this season, but also for the entire season.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Javon Kinlaw vs Quentin Nelson
Nelson is an elite guard and will be a Hall of Fame candidate someday, given that he has three First-Team All-Pro selections, three more Second-Team All-Pro selections, and 8 Pro Bowls. He might be getting to the point at which he may be on the decline; nevertheless, Nelson versus Kinlaw is a pretty high-profile matchup by interior line standards. I expect the television broadcast crew to highlight this battle at some point in the broadcast.
Terry McLaurin vs Sauce Gardner
McLaurin and Gardner are both very high-profile players, so this is also a very high-profile matchup. McLaurin seemed to be more like his usual high-performing self against the Seahawks last week, so let’s hope this continues. Gardner’s performance might not be up to the level of his public profile, at least recently, but he’s still one of the better corners Washington will face this season. As a result, it’s possible that McLaurin’s play might be slightly more limited than it was last week. Let’s hope not.
Amik Robertson vs. Josh Downs
Robertson had what was surely one of his best games a pro last week; certainly, it was his best performance in Washington so far. This week, I expect him to be primarily matched up on the Colts’ best receiver, Downs. This isn’t high-profile in terms of the names of the two players, but it is important give how much Downs means to the Colts’ offense. Robertson isn’t good enough for Washington’s coaches to have him follow Downs all day, but given that Downs is primarily a slot receiver, Robertson is going to be featured on him most often. Washington will look to Robertson to keep Downs under control and limit his impact.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Washington | Colts |
| G S. Cosmi, concussion, throat; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | TE M. Alie-Cox, illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: FP |
| S N. Cross, illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | DT G. Stewart, NIR (rest); Wed; NL; Thurs: DNP; Fri: FP |
| RB R. White, shoulder; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR K. Allen, NIR (rest), groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: Q |
| C/G N. Allegretti, hip; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | LB A. Davis-Gaither, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| QB J. Daniels, left elbow; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: O | WR A. Dulin, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; game: Q |
| DT J. Kinlaw, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | K S. Shrader, right groin; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri; FP |
| LB F. Luvu, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | RB J. Taylor, NIR (rest); Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| TE C. Okonkwo, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | CB C. Ward, NIR (rest); Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| DE C. Omenihu, ankle; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; Fri: LP | |
| C/G L. Patrick, foot; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | |
| TE B. Sinnott, rib; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | |
| S P. Butler, concussion; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP; game: Q | |
| CB A. Robertson, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | |
| S Q. Martin, groin; Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: FP | |
| WR T. McLaurin, hamstring; Wed: NL; Thurs: NL; Fri: LP; game: Q |
Steve’s Prediction
I think this is a bit of trap game for Washington. Colts take a close one, 27-24.
Elevated
RB Craig Reynolds
LB Ale Kaho