Philip Rivers' return to the field accelerates as Indianapolis Colts activated the 44-year-old quarterback for the Week 15 road game against Seattle Seahawks. Rivers is expected to start on Sunday. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports.after completing his five-year retirement on Tuesday signing with the Colts practice squad. Now he's close to being the starting quarterback again.
The Colts are in desperate need of a quarterback. Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles in the team's loss last Sunday. Jacksonville Jaguars. Former No. 4 overall Anthony Richardson He is on injured reserve with an orbital fracture. Rookie Riley Leonardwho was supposed to replace Jones in the starting lineup, suffered a knee injury, but he is not listed on the injury report. With the Colts' season on the line at 8-5, they will likely turn to the quarterback who last led them to the playoffs.
Rivers has made 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with Los Angeles Chargersbut his final season came in 2020 with the Colts. He threw for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as the Colts went 11–5 and earned a wild card berth. Rivers' last NFL game came on Jan. 9, 2021, in a 27-24 playoff loss. Buffalo Billsin which he completed 27 of 46 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
An eight-time Pro Bowler, Rivers is 134-106 as a starter in his incredible career and ranks seventh all-time in passing yards (63,440) and sixth all-time in passing touchdowns (421). Less than five months ago, Rivers signed a one-day contract with the Chargers and announced his retirement. The franchise even released an emotional video. But things have changed, and Rivers will be back in an NFL uniform Sunday in Seattle.
Why did the Colts sign Rivers?
Why did the Colts go and sign 44-year-old Rivers instead of a free agent like Ryan Tannehillor maybe even another NFL legend like Tom Brady? That's likely because Rivers is familiar with the Colts franchise, coach Shane Steichen and the team's offensive system.
Rivers was a high school football coach at Fairhope (Ala.) St. Michael Catholic, where he coaches his son Gunner Rivers, who is also a defensive back. CBS Sports broadcaster and NFL legend JJ Watt I recently learned that Rivers committed the same crime like the Colts for his son's team. If you don't believe it, Rivers and Steichen apparently talked about their plan on a weekly basis, discussing plays and even movies. For that reason, the Colts are expected to start Rivers five days after his return to the NFL.
Philip Rivers' Impossible Return, Joe Burrow's Worries and What NFL Sources Say
Jonathan Jones
Historical influence
If he starts as expected, Rivers will become the fifth quarterback to start an NFL game aged 44 or older. He adds his name to a list that includes Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon and Steve DeBerg. Sunday marks 1,800 days since Rivers last played in the NFL, according to CBS Sports Research. This is the longest layoff of a 40-year-old starting quarterback in NFL history. The previous record was set by DeBerg in 1998 (1,777 days).
Rivers is older than Steichen and Seahawks coach Mike McDonald, making it the sixth time since 1950 that a starting quarterback was older than both head coaches in the game. In fact, Rivers is older than 13 NFL head coaches.
Rivers has 10 children and is a grandfather. Now he's being blamed for saving the Colts' season.
Match against Seattle
The Seahawks present a tough game for Rivers to begin with, as Seattle has already matched last season's win total with a 10-3 record and boasts a ferocious defense. The unit ranks second in the NFL in points allowed per game (17.4), yards gained per game (4.5) and third in defense (33%). Seattle has scored just nine points over its last two games and leads the NFL with six non-offensive touchdowns.
Unfortunately for the Colts, their Week 15 matchup against Seattle isn't the only tough game left on the schedule. In fact, Indy has the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL (0.692 opponent winning percentage). Three of the Colts' last four opponents rank in the top seven in the NFL in pressure rate.
Colts odds to make playoffs
What are the chances that Rivers can come in and pitch for the Colts, stop their decline and get Indy back to the postseason? Let's see what SportsLine's data says:
|
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) |
49.6% |
96.5% |
|
Houston Texans (8-5) |
44.2% |
86.7% |
|
Indianapolis Colts (8-5) |
6.3% |
41.8% |
AFC Playoff Image
This is what AFC looks like after 14 weeks
As the data shows, losing Jones is a major blow. But the Colts were collapsing even before their quarterback went down. The Colts have lost three straight games since an 8–2 start and also lost their star quarterback. Gardner sauce (calf) and protective gear DeForest Buckner (neck) to injury.
Indianapolis risks becoming first NFL team start 8-2 or better and miss the playoffs since Oakland 1995. Raidersbut the Colts are hoping this Hail Mary quarterback will pay immediate dividends.
