Washington arrived in London with momentum, a change at quarterback and a sizeable job ahead against Indianapolis. At The Grove, the real story was the work behind the spectacle.
The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 4th October, with both teams arriving in London with a 1-2 record and looking to build on victories in Week 3.
Washington produced an impressive 33-31 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, while Indianapolis edged the Houston Texans 19-17, setting up an intriguing London showdown between two teams.
Ahead of the game, there was an opportunity to see exactly what goes into preparing an NFL team for a regular season game, with access to the Commanders’ practice at The Grove in Hertfordshire.
Before the players took to the field, offensive coordinator David Blough and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones spoke with the media. Both were upbeat, particularly following the dramatic victory over Seattle, which ended the Seahawks’ 12-game winning streak and gave Washington plenty of momentum heading into London.
Then came the opportunity to go pitch side.
Watching an NFL team prepare from just metres away offered an incredible and very different perspective from watching the finished product on a Sunday.
The majority of the squad worked together during the warm-up, while the quarterbacks trained separately before the field gradually split into different position groups. Running backs, wide receivers and defensive units each moved into their own areas, working closely with specialist coaches and repeatedly going through drills, movements and routines.
The level of athleticism, focus and detail was impressive. Every group had its own responsibilities, yet everything ultimately came together around the same objective – being ready for Sunday.
This was only a small glimpse of the work that goes into preparing an NFL team. The repetition, focus and intensity at the highest level were amazing to watch.
The access also provided the opportunity to speak with some of the players, including star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
There was a particularly strong connection to London for Daniels. Just weeks earlier, Arizona State Sun Devils, where he played for three years, had taken on Kansas at Wembley in the Union Jack Classic, bringing college football to the UK for the very first time.
I asked Daniels what it meant to see his former university helping the game grow internationally. He described it as “dope”, saying he enjoyed the atmosphere and that Washington now had the opportunity to experience London too.
Daniels also revealed another connection with the UK, having previously spoken about his support for Chelsea. Asked how he would convince a young British footballer to try American football, his answer was simple: “Definitely show them highlights.”
Unfortunately, Daniels will not be taking those highlights onto the field himself on Sunday. Washington have ruled him out of the game with the left elbow injury that has kept him limited in practice this week, with Marcus Mariota confirmed to start at quarterback.
Mariota arrives in London having played a key role in Washington’s victory over Seattle last weekend, throwing three touchdown passes without an interception.
That idea of entertainment and attracting new audiences was also central to a conversation with wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin.
I asked the pair about the role of the wide receiver, particularly with so many UK supporters following NFL players through fantasy football and whether the position can help introduce new fans to the sport.
McLaurin drew a comparison that instantly connected the NFL to the football culture surrounding them in London.
“Being a wide receiver is maybe like being a striker. They can be the stars, they can switch the momentum of the game, the crowd knows their names and they go wild. It’s a different type of sauce to play receiver.”
It was a great moment, and the chemistry between the two was clear throughout the conversation. Diggs and McLaurin bounced off each other brilliantly, joking about who had the better celebrations, NFL receivers or Premier League strikers – before Diggs admitted that American football players might need to work on their celebrations!
Behind the humour was a serious point. Diggs explained that new fans should be given something exciting to watch. They may not understand everything happening on the field yet, but they understand what a touchdown is, and those moments can help create a connection with the sport. He also spoke about wanting to bring positive energy when he plays.
There was also time to speak with Sonny Styles, who was pleased with his performance against Seattle but already focused on continuing to build on it.
Away from the touchdowns, big plays and celebrations, the NFL is built on preparation, repetition and attention to detail.
The preparation is now complete and the spotlight moves to Tottenham.
For those watching the Colts and Commanders on Sunday, the touchdowns and big plays will be the headline moments. But seeing Washington prepare from pitch side offered a rare glimpse at everything that happens before the spectacle and a reminder of just how much work goes into putting on an NFL show.
