NFL London preview: Washington Commanders vs Indianapolis Colts odds, betting tips & prediction

The big story heading into the game for Washington surrounds the fitness of franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. He suffered a nasty-looking elbow injury in a Week 2 loss to Dallas, a reoccurrence of the issue that ruled him out for much of 2025, after his dream rookie season in 2024 when he led the Commanders to the NFC Championship game. However, he is avoiding surgery for now and has travelled to London and practiced this week.

In his absence last week, backup QB Marcus Mariota delivered the biggest upset of the season as Washington stunned Super Bowl champions Seattle in a 33-31 win. Mariota was superb, throwing three touchdown passes. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin stepped up with 77 yards and a touchdown, and free agent addition Stefon Diggs already has 3 TDs this year.

The Commanders defense is giving up the 2nd-most points per game in the NFL (30.7), and allowing the 2nd-most passing yards per game (280.3). However, its run defense has been decent, allowing the 3rd-fewest rushing yards per game (82), which they will need to come to the fore against Colts star back Jonathan Taylor. Rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, the 7th pick of the 2026 draft, already looks a star in the making and won NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Washington are yet to win any of their three international games - although playing the Bills in Canada is hardly fair. That was back in 2011, although they travelled abroad last year to play the Dolphins, which they lost 16-13 in Madrid. They were also involved in the only ever international tie, a 27-27 thriller at Wembley against the Bengals in 2016.

Indianapolis are also 1-2 after winning a tight divisional game against the Houston Texans 19-17 in Week 3. Quarterback Daniel Jones has thrown 3 TDs and 3 INTs through the opening weeks, as he comes off a serious achilles injury. The Colts were one of the surprise stories last season as Jones led them to an 8-2 start, but they collapsed and lost their last seven games to miss the playoffs.

Their key offensive player remains running back Jonathan Taylor, who has rushed for 258 yards and four touchdowns so far in 2026. Taylor had a sensational 2025, with 1,963 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns. He's set to be the Colts' workhorse in Tottenham again.

Daniel Jones is missing one of his favourite targets in Alec Pierce, but receiver Josh Downs has emerged as a deep threat, while veteran Keenan Allen posted 63 yards and a touchdown last week. Second-year tight end Tyler Warren is another reliable option and has two touchdowns in 2026.

The Colts defense has been poor across the board, with the 4th-most points allowed (30.3), as well as ranking 28th and 30th for rushing yards (141.3) and passing yards (276) allowed per game. Indianapolis needs more from star cornerback Sauce Gardner, who they traded two first-round picks to acquire from the New York Jets last year.

Indianapolis are 2-1 all time in NFL international games, but both of their wins came in Germany, and they lost their only game in London to the Jaguars in 2026.

It could be a high-scoring affair, with both teams conceding more than 30 points a game, so we're predicting the match will go over 48.5 points. Jonathan Taylor has been a touchdown machine, with 24 in his last 20 games, so we're backing him to find the endzone game.

Colts are favoured in the odds by around a field goal, but we think the Commanders could actually have the edge in this one. If Daniels plays, that will be a huge boost, but Mariota is similar enough stylistically for the offense not to be disrupted. The Colts defense is poor as a whole, while the Commanders run defense could limit Taylor from taking over the game. We'll go for a narrow, entertaining Washington win.

Prediction: Commanders 29-27 Colts

Commanders vs Colts best bets

• Over 48.5 points

• Jonathan Taylor anytime touchdown

View the latest NFL odds.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.