Philip Rivers Returns to NFL with Colts as Playoff Race Heats Up
Philip Rivers has returned to the NFL at age 44, joining the Indianapolis Colts after a multi-year hiatus during which he coached high school football in Alabama since 2021. His familiarity with head coach Shane Steichen's offense, developed when Steichen coached Rivers at the Chargers, has helped ease his comeback.
In his return game against the Seattle Seahawks, Rivers completed 18 of 26 passes for 120 yards, throwing a touchdown and an interception. A notable 16-yard back-shoulder pass to Alec Pierce set up a 60-yard game-winning field goal attempt by Blake Grupe. However, Seattle ultimately won on a last-minute Jason Myers field goal after Rivers threw a late deep interception to Coby B.
The Colts improved their record to 8-6 and face remaining games against the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans to conclude the regular season.
Elsewhere in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs suffered a torn ACL in their loss, ending his season and leaving Kansas City at 6-8, projected to miss the postseason for the first time since 2014. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence has shown improvement under coach Liam Coen, finishing with six total touchdowns in a 48-20 win over the Jets as the Jaguars moved to 10-4.
The New England Patriots lost a 21-point lead as the Buffalo Bills rallied to win 35-31, ending the NFL's longest streak of maintaining a 21-point lead in 120 games. Denver secured a playoff berth with a 12-2 record after beating Green Bay 34-26, highlighted by Bo Nix's four touchdown passes. However, the Broncos faced setbacks as Christian Watson left the game with a chest injury and Micah Parsons reportedly tore his ACL.
The Los Angeles Rams, with an 11-3 record, became the first team to clinch a playoff spot. The upcoming matchup between the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks will be pivotal in determining the NFC West outcomes.
