“Welcome to the NFL’s home away from home,” was the rallying cry from running back Ronde Barber and in-stadium hype man before the league’s 19th year holidaying in the UK began. And welcome Washington’s injury bug who must have stowed away on the flight over to London. The mighty Commanders defense that overwhelmed the Colts at times could not overcome having another quarterback knocked out of commission. Indianapolis capitalised on the misfortune with crafty running back Jonathan Taylor carrying them to a 30-13 victory.
The Commanders were already missing starting quarterback Jayden Daniels with an elbow injury and their pesky interloper wasn’t satisfied that Washington had endured enough torment. The game-defining moment came early as a knee injury would force backup passer Marcus Mariota out of the contest after a strong start. Rookie third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis replaced him and though he delivered the play of the game with an incredible showcase of vision and accuracy on a 47-yard touchdown throw, it was too much, too soon for the 23-year-old.
Washington’s brutal defense, fresh from toppling the Super Bowl champions last week, burst out of the traps as defensive tackle Odafe Oweh drove his opposite number Bernhard Raimann straight into Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. The stunned signal caller fell backwards while coughing the ball up to the Commanders who had a turnover after two plays and three points after a 31-yard field goal from Drew Stevens.
From then on it mattered little that Jones continued to struggle in the face of Washington’s ferocious front seven. The Colts passer would finish with 19 completions from 34 attempts for 143 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Lucky for Indianapolis that they have the capable legs of Taylor who picked up the quarterback’s slack with 95 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns either side of half-time. His game-winning efforts sandwiched a 48-yard Spencer Shrader boot that put the Colts 17-6 up at the break and out of sight.
Meanwhile Kaliakmanis was dealing with the pressure of being thrust into his first professional game. The crowd noticeably quietened at defeat looming far too early as veteran running back Austin Ekeler edged the Commanders to midfield. Those in burgundy and gold had accepted their fate after the unknown QB had started the second half with an ominous interception that set up Taylor’s second score.
The backup’s backup quickly restored some faith though with a breathtaking throw. Kaliakmanis saw Treylon Burks breaking down the left sideline and drove the arcing pass just ahead of the sprinting receiver’s path. Burks made the grab in stride for the touchdown. The crowd could not believe it. Neither could Kaliakmanis as he grinned from ear to ear after giving his team a fleeting spark to sit 17-13 behind.
The rookie continued to receive help from his impressive defense as Indianapolis favoured conservative play calling to avoid any more costly turnovers as they added a field goal from Shrader. Alarm bells from the early fumble and interception had been silenced with Taylor taking care of the ball.
Then for a few seconds it looked as if Kaliakmanis could be delivering a quarterback debut for the history books as his receiver Antonio Williams raced 80 yards for another touchdown that would have levelled the scores. To the crowd’s deafening ire it was not to be due to an illegal shift penalty.
As the final quarter began it was the reliable Taylor again at the controls. Two 12-yard rushes moved the Colts to the goalline. A faked handoff to their linchpin then allowed Jones to tuck and run for a score to add some much-needed positivity after his arm wilted under Washington pressure.
Indianapolis will be glad to escape London with a 2-2 record and realistic hopes of making the playoffs after the rockiest of starts. Washington will lick their wounds hoping Daniels is back soon to revive their season.
