Rivers’ Return Not Enough as Colts Fall 18-16 to Seahawks in Week 15
In a Week 15 showdown at Lumen Field, the Indianapolis Colts fell 18-16 to the Seattle Seahawks, suffering their fourth straight loss.
Since last week, after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending injury, the Indianapolis Colts have been scrambling to find anyone to fill his spot. They ended up bringing back veteran Philip Rivers from a nearly five-year retirement and gave him about a week to prepare for today’s game.
Watching Rivers play today, you honestly could not tell that this was his first game since January 2021. Given his circumstances and a long absence, he was pretty efficient.
In the first half, Rivers threw his first touchdown pass since 2020, connecting with wide receiver Josh Downs for an 8-yard score. Being 1 of 5 men to do so in NFL history, this touchdown gave them an extra boost to help secure a 13-8 lead heading into halftime.
Beyond the stat sheet, Rivers was able to be a leader on the field. He commanded the offense, made several timely throws, and managed the Colts’ ball control game early on.
After halftime, the Seahawks began chipping away. Their offense had difficulty crossing the goal line all night and managed only a single touchdown. Settling for multiple field goals, Jason Myers kicked his team to victory, being the only one to score for Seattle.
If anything, this serves as a testament to the Colts’ defense. They kept the Seahawks from scoring the entire night, limited explosive plays, and forced difficult third downs. The Seahawks repeatedly settled for field goals rather than touchdowns.
But on the offensive side, Rivers and the unit struggled to maintain the early spark. Long gains were scarce, and the Seahawks tightened their coverage to limit big plays. This resulted in a back-and-forth possession battle in which both teams traded field positions more than touchdowns.
The Colts maintained a 2-point lead over the Seahawks until near the end of the fourth quarter. Rivers made a promising final push, moving the Colts into scoring range in the final minutes, but a key interception sealed a win for the Seahawks. With his last kick of the night, Myers made a 56-yard field goal with just under a minute left, furthering the Colts’ losing streak. This loss drops the Colts to 8-6, a disappointing mark after a season that began with so much promise at 7-1.
Although it is uncertain whether Rivers will remain, the team and fans were appreciative of his willingness to step in. Head coach Shane Steichen was also very pleased with Rivers and what he has brought to the team after they faced many struggles in just a few weeks. Rivers says it was a blessing to be back out on the field.
Looking ahead, the Colts will take on the San Francisco 49ers next Monday night. With a challenging schedule and a slim margin for error, the Colts must tighten up offensively and convert more red-zone opportunities if they hope to continue with their season.
The challenge ahead is significant. San Francisco comes in at 10-4 and has an identity built on a punishing run game and disciplined defense. If the Colts want to succeed, they have to lock in on protecting the quarterback, stopping the run, and finishing drives. Discipline, physicality, and efficiency are what will make or break this game. A win against the 49ers would be a significant confidence boost to the team after a troubling few weeks.