Philip Rivers’ Surprise Comeback Captures Hearts, but Comeback Player of the Year? That’s a Different Story
The NFL has a way of delivering the unexpected, and few twists this season have matched the sheer shock and sentimentality of Philip Rivers suiting up once again for the Indianapolis Colts. At 44 years old and five years removed from his last NFL snap, Rivers was pulled from the high school sidelines-where he’d been coaching-to lead a Colts team scrambling for answers after a crushing Week 14 loss and a season-ending injury to Daniel Jones.
Let’s set the stage. The Colts had dropped four straight, their playoff hopes fading fast. Rookie Riley Leonard had flashed some promise in relief duty, but head coach Shane Steichen made a headline-grabbing call: bypass the rookie and dial up Rivers, who last played in 2020-ironically, also with the Colts, leading them to a playoff berth before retiring.
With Anthony Richardson still sidelined, the Colts needed a spark. What they got instead was a dose of nostalgia, a few fluttering passes, and a narrow 18-16 loss to the Seahawks in Week 15.
Rivers, in his first NFL action in half a decade, went 18-of-27 for 120 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It wasn’t pretty, but it was undeniably compelling.
The Colts were two-touchdown underdogs and nearly pulled it off, thanks largely to their defense holding Seattle to six field goals.
Rivers Crashes the Comeback Player Odds-But Does He Belong There?
Here’s where things get interesting. Rivers’ return didn’t just make headlines-it shook up the betting markets. He’s now second in the odds for Comeback Player of the Year at DraftKings Sportsbook, trailing only Christian McCaffrey.
Let’s take a breath here.
McCaffrey has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. He’s piled up over 1,700 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone 14 times, all while anchoring a banged-up 49ers squad still battling for the NFC West crown.
This is a player who missed most of last season due to injury and has returned looking as explosive and versatile as ever. That’s what a Comeback Player of the Year looks like.
Rivers? His story is heartwarming, no doubt.
But from a football standpoint, he looked every bit like a 44-year-old who hadn’t played in five years. Of his 18 completions, eight went to running backs.
His leading receiver? Ameer Abdullah, a journeyman back, with five catches.
The throws were short, the velocity lacking, and the offense never quite found rhythm. This wasn’t a vintage Rivers performance-it was a team doing its best to survive with a quarterback who hadn’t taken an NFL snap since the Trump administration.
That’s not to knock Rivers. It takes guts to step back into the fire at his age, and his leadership and experience clearly carry weight in the locker room. But when it comes to the CPOY conversation, there are more deserving candidates still grinding it out week after week-guys like Trevor Lawrence and Dak Prescott, who’ve battled adversity and delivered high-level performances in meaningful games.
Rivers’ inclusion in the odds feels more like a nod to the story than the substance. And if you’re betting on him, you’re likely doing it for the novelty, not the value.
MVP Race Heating Up, But Stafford’s in the Driver’s Seat
While Rivers’ comeback has sparked debate, the MVP race is starting to take on a clearer shape-though it’s not quite over yet.
Matthew Stafford is now the frontrunner, and for good reason. The Rams’ veteran quarterback threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-34 win over the Lions, a critical victory that kept Los Angeles atop the NFC West. Stafford has been steady, efficient, and clutch-everything the Rams need as they gear up for a postseason run.
At -300, he’s the odds-on favorite, and if the Rams handle business against Seattle on Thursday, it could all but lock up the award. Even a modest performance might be enough, as long as it comes in a win that secures the division.
But don’t count out Josh Allen just yet.
The Bills quarterback has been on a tear, and his latest act-a three-touchdown, 193-yard effort in a 35-31 comeback win over the Patriots-was classic Allen. Down 21 points?
No problem. He rallied Buffalo with poise and power, keeping their playoff hopes alive and his MVP candidacy breathing.
Allen’s odds have surged from +2500 to +550 in the span of two weeks. He now sits third behind Stafford and Patriots rookie Drake Maye, whose MVP stock took a hit after being outdueled by Allen in that same game.
If Stafford stumbles against a tough Seattle defense and Allen keeps stacking dramatic wins, the MVP race could tighten fast. There’s still room for movement, especially with Buffalo fighting for postseason life and Allen playing some of his best football of the year.
Bottom Line
Philip Rivers’ return was the kind of story that makes football more than just a game-it was emotional, unexpected, and undeniably compelling. But when it comes to the Comeback Player of the Year award, it’s hard to justify placing him ahead of players who’ve been grinding all season long and producing at an elite level.
As for the MVP race, Stafford’s got the edge-but Allen’s not out of it yet. With a few weeks left in the season, both races still have room for drama. And if this year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.