Something has to give Sunday in London. Jonathan Taylor has carried the Indianapolis Colts’ offense into the end zone four times in three games, and the Washington Commanders have not let a single runner score on them this season.
The Colts and Commanders, both 1-2, kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on NFL Network. One of those two numbers is likely to change there.
Jonathan Taylor’s four rushing touchdowns
Taylor had 66 carries through three weeks, the most in the league over that span, and turned them into 258 yards. All four scores came in the first two games, against Baltimore and Kansas City. He also has 91.5% of Indianapolis’ backfield touches, the highest share for any back in the NFL, according to Sharp Football Analysis.
The production has thinned out, though. His yards per carry have gone from 5.2 to 3.8 to 3.0, and Houston held him to 68 yards on 23 attempts last week. PFF gives him a 68.7 rushing grade, which ranks 20th among 46 running backs.
The blocking and the passing game both play a part. Colts backs have been hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 57% of their runs, the second-highest rate in the league, per Sharp. The offense also lost Alec Pierce’s deep speed to injured reserve. Taylor has averaged 5.4 yards on 17 carries with Pierce on the field and 3.4 on 49 carries without him.
Washington’s zero rushing touchdowns allowed
A year ago, this would have been a friendly matchup for Taylor. Washington gave up 141.8 rushing yards per game in 2025, which ranked 30th, along with 18 rushing touchdowns.
Through three games under new coordinator Daronte Jones, the Commanders have allowed 246 rushing yards, third fewest in the NFL, and none of the 64 carries against them has reached the end zone. They held Dallas to 66 yards and Seattle to 44. FTN’s DVOA ranks them first against the run.
The additions up front explain much of it. Tim Settle, Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson all arrived this offseason, and No. 7 overall pick Sonny Styles was just named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Holdover Daron Payne liked the scheme from the start of training camp.
“For me, I just feel like I’m just being more versatile,” Payne said in August. “Being able to play more outside, inside, you know, just being able to move along the line.”
Washington will be without linebacker Leo Chenal, who is out for the season, but captain Frankie Luvu returns Sunday from a groin injury.
If Taylor can’t find room, the Colts will need Daniel Jones to attack a secondary that has allowed 11 touchdown passes in three games. Jones has turned the ball over in every game this season, so Indianapolis would much rather see its back keep scoring.
