Philip Rivers nearly authored a storybook return on Monday night - nearly. After five years away from the game, the veteran quarterback stepped back under center for the Indianapolis Colts and came within a few plays of pulling off a dramatic comeback.
But the Seattle Seahawks had other plans. Behind six field goals from Jason Myers, Seattle edged out the Colts 18-16, spoiling Rivers’ unretirement debut and keeping their own NFC West title hopes alive.
Let’s be clear: Rivers didn’t look like a guy who’d been out of the league since 2020. He was sharp, poised, and showed flashes of the command that made him a franchise cornerstone for nearly two decades.
And for a moment, it looked like he might turn back the clock and steal one for Indianapolis. But in the end, the Seahawks’ defense held firm in key moments, and Myers’ reliable leg did the rest.
The loss stings for the Colts, but it doesn’t end their playoff hopes. In fact, the win keeps them in the thick of the AFC postseason picture. And with Rivers now in the mix, the Colts just became a much more intriguing team down the stretch.
As for the 49ers - this one hurt. They didn’t even take the field Monday night, but their playoff seeding took a hit anyway.
Thanks to the Lions’ loss on Sunday, San Francisco has already clinched a playoff berth. But their grip on the NFC West just got a lot shakier.
Here’s where things stand: For Seattle to win the NFC West, one of the key dominoes that needs to fall is a 49ers loss - either to the Colts (which didn’t happen) or to the Chicago Bears this coming Sunday. The latter now becomes a must-watch matchup for Seahawks fans. Because if San Francisco wins that game, Seattle’s path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC is effectively blocked in Week 17.
So while Rivers’ return was the headline, the ripple effects of Monday night’s result are just as important. The Colts are alive.
The 49ers are vulnerable. And the Seahawks?
They’re hanging around with a real shot at the division - and maybe more.