The Indianapolis Colts, currently holding an 8-6 record, find themselves in a crucial position as they welcome back quarterback Philip Rivers. His return to the NFL has sparked hope among the team, particularly as they aim to advance beyond Week 18 of the season. In a recent piece by ESPN”s Stephen Holder, teammates shared their admiration for Rivers after his performance during the Colts” narrow 18-16 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks on December 14.
Running back Jonathan Taylor expressed the team”s confidence in Rivers, stating, “He gave us a chance. We”ve just got to make more plays. We got to help him out. Given the circumstances, we still had a chance. I mean right there at the end. So, how do we make those one or two plays to just finish this and end up on the other side of this?” Rivers had not participated in an NFL game since January 2021 when head coach Shane Steichen reached out to him at a time when the Colts were without healthy quarterbacks.
In his game against the Seahawks, the 44-year-old completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards and threw a touchdown, putting the Colts in a position to win with less than a minute remaining. However, after Jason Myers of Seattle kicked a 56-yard field goal with under 20 seconds left, Rivers attempted a last-ditch effort but ended up throwing an interception.
Reflecting on his return, Rivers mentioned that his wife remarked on his willingness to “just throw one and get hit hard” during such a significant game. He endured four hits and a sack throughout the match against Seattle, showcasing his commitment to the team.
Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II noted Rivers” intensity, stating, “Just his determination, his passion, fire that he played with, it”s great to see. And just him putting his body on the line, he doesn”t have to do that. And I”m sure every guy in his locker room greatly appreciated it.”
As they pursue the final wild-card playoff spot in the AFC, the Colts are currently trailing the 9-5 Houston Texans. The Texans previously defeated the Colts in Week 13, and the two teams are set to face off again at Houston”s NRG Stadium in Week 18. Rivers is expected to start when the Colts take on the 10-4 San Francisco 49ers this upcoming Monday night, with the Colts listed as 5.5-point underdogs, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
