Philip Rivers’ Return Was Inspiring, But the Colts’ Real Spark Came from the Defense
There’s no doubt Philip Rivers brought something special back to the Colts on Sunday. At 44 years old, he wasn’t just a nostalgic figure under center - he was a spark, a voice, a presence.
The kind of guy who walks into the huddle and makes you believe, even when you're a 13.5-point underdog. The Colts felt that belief.
And for most of the game, they played like they were going to shock the Seahawks and win the thing.
But let’s be clear: belief can only take you so far. At some point, your quarterback has to do more than inspire - he has to make plays.
And while Rivers had the team fired up, the tape doesn’t lie. The arm strength just wasn’t there.
The throws floated. The ball rarely traveled more than 15 yards in the air.
And yet, for 59 minutes and 42 seconds, it felt like they might just pull it off. Why?
Because Lou Anarumo’s defense came to play.
That Colts defense was the story of the day. Forget the final 47 seconds for a moment - yes, they couldn’t close it out, but they were the reason 16 points even looked like enough.
Holding the Seahawks to 50 rushing yards and forcing a brutal 2-for-13 on third downs? That’s the kind of defensive performance that usually wins you games.
And if the Colts had either Ward or Gardner available in the secondary, there’s a good chance those 16 points would have held up.
Lou had his guys ready. You could see it in the way they attacked, the way they communicated, the way they tackled.
They practiced like they knew they’d have to carry the load, and on game day, they nearly did. That unit gave the Colts a shot, even when the offense was stuck in neutral.
Now, let’s talk about Rivers. He’s getting plenty of praise, and some of it’s deserved.
He was making checks at the line, getting the offense into the right plays, and he brought a ton of energy to the sideline. That matters.
But here’s the thing - those are also things your coach is supposed to bring to the table.
Shane Steichen is known for his offensive scheming, and there’s no questioning his creativity when it comes to designing plays. But leadership?
Situational awareness? That’s where the questions start piling up.
If Rivers is the one getting the team into the right looks and firing them up, then what exactly is Steichen doing in those key moments?
Let’s not ignore the numbers. The Colts finished with just 215 total yards, and only 120 of those came through the air.
That’s not a winning formula in today’s NFL. The run game was steady but unspectacular - no big chunk plays, nothing to loosen up the defense.
It kept Rivers upright and ahead of the sticks, but it didn’t scare Seattle. And when Rivers had to make a throw, the Seahawks were content to sit back and force him to beat them with dying quails into tight coverage.
The Colts’ receivers battled, no doubt, but the passing attack was barely functional.
So where does that leave us? Well, for starters, it leaves the Colts locked into Rivers - at least for now.
You don’t pull a Hall of Famer out of semi-retirement, ask him to lace 'em up again, and then bench him after one game. That’s not how this works.
But it’s fair to ask: was this the right move?
Instead of putting Rivers back under center, maybe the better play would’ve been to bring him in as a mentor. Let him talk to the team, share some of that bravado, and help prep the young guys - especially Leonard.
There are still plenty of former teammates in the building who would’ve fed off that energy. Rivers could’ve inspired from the sidelines, not just the huddle.
Because if Steichen is supposed to be the one leading this team, rallying the troops, and preparing the next man up - well, that didn’t happen. The message sent by bringing Rivers back was clear: we don’t trust Leonard to get it done. And if that’s the message coming from the top, why would the rest of the locker room believe in him?
Leonard’s not perfect. His arm isn’t what led Notre Dame to the National Championship game last year.
But he showed leadership and poise in big moments - including against a loaded Ohio State team. He’s got that intangible “it” factor you want in a young quarterback.
And he should’ve been given the chance to show it on Sunday.
Instead, we got the feel-good story. And yes, it was a moment - seeing Rivers back on the field, competing again, was something.
But in the long run, the Colts might’ve missed an opportunity to build something more meaningful. Letting Leonard lead this team through adversity would’ve sent a powerful message.
It also might’ve given them a better chance to win.
Looking ahead, QB1 for next season is still a giant question mark. Maybe it’s Jones - if he signs, and if his rehab goes perfectly.
Maybe it’s Richardson - if he’s still on the roster and healthy. But if neither of those boxes are checked, then Leonard could be the guy who has to start the season.
If that’s the case, wouldn’t you rather have him battle-tested and confident, instead of benched in favor of a 44-year-old stopgap?
The Colts still have a shot to make the playoffs. A 3-0 finish could get them there, maybe even earn them a home game.
But unless the defense keeps playing lights-out, and unless the offense finds a way to do more than just survive, that path looks steep. Sunday was a moral victory, sure - but the real victory would’ve been building for the future while fighting for the present.
And right now, that future still feels very much in flux.