Philip Rivers' return to the NFL was certainly exciting, but he could not lead the Indianapolis Colts to victory on Sunday, as Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks moved to 11-3 with an 18-16 victory. Believe it or not, the Seahawks did not look like the better team for the majority of this matchup, as Jason Myers made six field goals to extend Seattle's win streak to four games.
Rivers completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Jonathan Taylor rushed 25 times for 87 yards. The potential future Hall of Famer did have a special moment in the first half when he threw a seven-yard touchdown to Josh Downs.
As for the Seahawks, they struggled to find their footing for the majority of the afternoon, which was surprising given they were facing off against a 44-year-old grandfather that hadn't taken an NFL snap in almost five years. Seattle went 0-2 in the red zone and trailed by seven points at the halftime break, but found a way to rally in the second half despite the boos from the home fans.
Let's take a look at what went down in Seattle on Sunday.
So, what did the 44-year-old grandpa look like in his return to the field? I'm sure many believed it would be a disaster, but it was not!
The stats didn't show it since Rivers threw for just 39 yards in the second half, but he was surprisingly solid. Rivers clearly does not have the same kind of "zip" on the football like he used to, and he still throws with that interesting shot-put motion. That said, he threw with anticipation and did not make any mind-boggling errors.
What did stand out is that Rivers is unable to attack downfield. Moving forward, everything with the Colts' passing attack is going to be based on quick game and predicated on yards after the catch from the weaponry. This was to be expected, but Sunday confirmed it. All in all, the decision to start Rivers was not comical, as maybe some detractors were hoping for.
Seattle got the win, but what are we to make of this team as legitimate contenders? It's pretty surprising that a rusty 44-year-old could walk into your stadium and look better than your 10-3 offense, no? This Colts team had lost three straight and were without defensive stars DeForest Buckner and Sauce Gardner as well. There's no getting around the fact that Sunday felt like a loss for the Seahawks in some ways.
In the 26-0 victory over the Vikings in Week 13, the Seahawks offense recorded just 219 total yards. In the Week 14 win over the Falcons, Seattle was tied at the halftime break, 6-6. What kind of faith do we have in this Seahawks offense? At the very least, they are prone to slow starts.
On Sunday, Rivers became the fifth quarterback to start an NFL game at age 44 or older, joining Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon and Steve DeBerg. Sunday marked 1,800 days since Rivers' last NFL game, according to CBS Sports Research. It's the longest layoff by a 40-year-old starting quarterback in NFL history.
By returning to the field, Rivers elected to reset his Hall of Fame clock. He was selected as a semifinalist for Canton this year, but the Hall requires a player to be retired for five seasons before he is eligible for induction. Rivers, who spent 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with the Chargers, is an eight-time Pro Bowler and entered Sunday ranked seventh all-time in passing yards (63,440) and sixth in touchdown passes (421).
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers was the MVP of this matchup after going a perfect 6 of 6 on his field goals, including this 56-yard game-winner.
However, Colts kicker Blake Grupe deserves some credit as well.
Listed at 5-foot-7 and 156 pounds, Grupe is probably the smallest player in the NFL. After the Saints released him just a few weeks ago, he found himself on the Colts practice squad. On Sunday, he converted all three of his field goals, including a career-long 60-yarder to give Indy the lead late in the fourth quarter.
The Colts will return to Indianapolis next week to host another NFC West squad in the 49ers on "Monday Night Football." As for the Seahawks, they are on a short week, hosting Matthew Stafford and the Rams on "Thursday Night Football."
On the first play of this potential game-winning drive, Philip Rivers' pass is tipped and intercepted by Coby Bryant. Game over. Seahawks win 18-16.
Jason Myers! The hero for Seattle. He hits from 56 yards out, and becomes the first kicker in franchise history to convert on six field goals in one game!
18-16, Seahawks
Philip Rivers and the Colts have 18 seconds, but three timeouts.
On first-and-10, Sam Darnold dropped back and hit trade deadline-acquisition Rashid Shaheed for 28 yards. Seahawks now at the 37-yard line.
Here we go! Philip Rivers led a seven-play, 26-yard drive, and set up Blake Grupe for a 60-YARD field goal to give Indy a 16-15 lead with under one minutes to play!
The Seahawks have 42 seconds remaining, but zero timeouts.
It's been only field goals today for the Seahawks, but they have the lead for the first time, 15-13.
This sets up for an exciting finish, as Philip Rivers has 2:27 to lead a game-winning drive!
Credit the Colts defense, as they had a red-zone stand to hold onto the lead.
Myers is good from 32 yards out, and the Seahawks now trail, 13-12.
Down four points, it appears Seattle is prepared to take the lead for the first time today. Sam Darnold just hit JSN on a 29-yard gain, and the Seahawks are in the red zone.
Shaheed also had this big gain on the same possession:
A change in momentum? The Colts went three-and-out for just the second time all game to start the third quarter, as Philip Rivers couldn't connect with an open Josh Downs on third-and-4. The throw wasn't bad. The two just weren't on the same page. Downs didn't see it.
Seattle added its third field goal of the game on its opening drive of the second half, as Myers is good from 46 yards out. Sam Darnold went 43 yards on 11 plays before the drive stalled.
Rashid Shaheed attempted to draw a PI on third-and-7, but he basically just gave up on the play. Good no-call. In fact, I wonder if the flag would have been thrown if he didn't give up on the play while the ball was in the air.
IND 13
SEA 9
9:49 remaining in the third quarter
First downs: IND 10 SEA 4
Total yards: IND 152 SEA 80
Third downs: IND 4-8 SEA 1-6
Penalties: IND 2-9 yards SEA 4-25 yards
TOP: IND 19:02 SEA 10:58
Philip Rivers 10/16 81 yards 1 TD
Sam Darnold 8/12 84 yards
Jonathan Taylor 16 rushes 58 yards
Kenneth Walker 5 rushes 6 yards
Zach Charbonnet 1 rush -2 yards
Michael Pittman Jr. 3 catches 26 yards
Josh Downs 2 catches 9 yards 1 TD
Cooper Kupp 3 catches 31 yards
Jaxon Smith-Njigba 3 catches 31 yards
Following the Rivers TD pass, Sam Darnold rebounded and led a nine-play, 44-yard drive that was capped by a 52-yard Myers FG. Seahawks trail the Colts by seven points at the end of the first half.
IND 13
SEA 6
There's no question the Colts have been the better team in the first half. Philip Rivers just led a 10-play, 58-yard drive, and capped it by throwing a 7-yard TD to Josh Downs!
The Colts are now up by 10 points! They were 14-point underdogs! Embarrassing for the Seahawks.
Four possessions for Seattle, and three three-and-outs. Yikes.
Seahawks fans in attendance are BOOING after their team lost 10 yards on this most recent three-and-out.
Sam Darnold's unit has yet to find a rhythm. That's surprising to say given this team was favored by 14 points.
The Colts are now up 6-3 after a 54-yard FG from Blake Grupe. It was a short, 17-yard, six-play drive.
Philip Rivers is now 5 of 11 for 42 yards, and I have to say, he's playing better than I thought he would. No egregious misses despite being out of the game for nearly five years. Michael Pittman Jr. has been his favorite receiver, as he's caught 3 of 4 targets for 26 yards.
IND 6
SEA 3
8:26 second quarter
Barner has picked up two penalties early in this matchup. He had an illegal shift on a third down on Seattle's first possession, and then just negated a 15-yard gain by lining up offsides.
Seahawks punt from deep in their own territory.
The offenses are copying each other. After the Colts and Seahawks traded punts, the two squads traded field goals. Sam Darnold's unit went 34 yards on six plays, and Jason Myers hits from 47 yards out to tie the game at 3 apiece.
It looked like Seattle really had something going, as the offense picked up 29 yards on its first two plays. However, the Colts run defense then bottled up Kenneth Walker.
Philip Rivers engineers an 11-play, 41-yard drive, and kicker Blake Grupe connects from 42 yards out to give the Colts a 3-0 lead.
Rivers has completed 3 of 8 passes for 31 yards. He doesn't have the same kind of "zip" on the ball, but he definitely understands anticipation. I wonder if the Seahawks are going to get more aggressive in coverage. Press man-to-man.
Philip Rivers had a better first drive than Sam Darnold and the Seahawks did! Seattle picked up just seven yards before having to punt. An AJ Barner illegal shift on third down was declined. Kenneth Walker rushed twice while Darnold completed his lone pass attempt for 6 yards.
As one could have predicted, the Colts' offensive game plan is going to center around Jonathan Taylor and getting the ball out quickly in the passing game. Taylor carried four times for 15 yards on Indy's opening possession, while Rivers completed 1 of 4 passes for 12 yards.
He didn't throw the cleanest spiral in the world, but the veteran did take some chances downfield.
Today, Rivers will become the fifth quarterback to start an NFL game at age 44 or older. He adds his name to a list that includes Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon and Steve DeBerg.
Sunday marks 1,800 days since Rivers' last NFL game, according to CBS Sports Research. It's the longest layoff by a 40-year-old starting quarterback in NFL history. The previous record was DeBerg in 1998 (1,777 days). Rivers is older than Steichen and Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, making it the sixth instance since 1950 where a starting quarterback was older than both head coaches in a game. In fact, Rivers is older than 13 NFL head coaches.
The Seahawks are a tough matchup for Philip Rivers right off the bat, as Seattle already matched its win total from last season at 10-3 and boasts a ferocious defense. This unit ranks second in the NFL in points per game allowed (17.4), yards per play allowed (4.5) and third-down defense (33%). Seattle has allowed just nine total points over the past two games, and leads the NFL with six non-offensive touchdowns.
Unfortunately for the Colts, the Week 15 matchup against Seattle isn't the only tough game remaining on the schedule. Indy actually has the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL (.692 opponent win percentage). Three of the Colts' final four opponents rank top seven in the NFL in pressures.
