Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor provided a much-needed spark on Sunday, scoring the team’s first touchdown against the Washington Commanders in London.
The Colts entered the game struggling to move the football, but Taylor’s rushing touchdown helped Indianapolis turn a difficult opening stretch into a 7-6 advantage.
Indianapolis had gone through its first five offensive possessions without scoring. Quarterback Daniel Jones lost a fumble and threw an interception, while the Colts also recorded three consecutive punts. The offense was averaging only 3.5 yards per play as halftime approached.
Jonathan Taylor Finds the End Zone
The Colts finally capitalized after their defense stopped Washington on fourth down, giving Indianapolis excellent field position.
Taylor finished the drive by finding the end zone on the ground, putting the Colts ahead 7-6. Running back Seth McGowan also contributed important yards during the possession, while a Washington penalty helped extend the drive.
For Taylor, the touchdown was an important moment in a game where the Colts needed their running game to provide stability.
Jonathan Taylor Chasing NFL International Rushing Record
Taylor also entered the London matchup with a significant milestone within reach.
He needed 78 rushing yards against Washington to move past Travis Etienne Jr. and become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher in international games.
Entering Week 4, Taylor had recorded 258 rushing yards on 66 carries through three games, averaging 3.9 yards per attempt while scoring four rushing touchdowns.
Taylor had already made NFL history in international play last season when he rushed for 244 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin. He finished that game with 286 total yards from scrimmage, both single-game international records.
Commanders Defense Presents Major Challenge
Washington entered the game with one of the NFL’s strongest run defenses.
The Commanders had allowed only 246 rushing yards through their first three games, the third-lowest total in the league. Washington was surrendering just 82 rushing yards per game and had posted a 25% run-stuff rate, which led the NFL entering the matchup.
That made Taylor’s pursuit of the international rushing record more difficult.
The Colts star also had not recorded a 100-yard rushing game during the 2026 season entering Sunday. His previous outing against the Houston Texans resulted in a season-low 68 rushing yards.
Still, Taylor’s ability to break long runs and handle a significant workload made him one of the biggest threats facing Washington.
Colts Need Taylor to Keep Offense Moving
With Indianapolis struggling early and dealing with injuries among its receivers, Taylor could become even more important as the game progresses.
His touchdown gave the Colts their first points after a frustrating opening sequence and provided the offense with momentum. Indianapolis will likely continue looking toward its star running back as it tries to control the game and overcome Washington’s strong defensive front.
Whether Taylor reaches the 78-yard mark remains one of the key storylines to watch, but his touchdown has already given the Colts a crucial early lead.
Jonathan Taylor Name Variations
Fans searching for johnathan taylor or jonathon taylor are referring to the same Indianapolis Colts running back, whose correct spelling is Jonathan Taylor. The Colts star remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous rushing threats and continues to add to his impressive international-game résumé.
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