According to head coach Shane Steichen, the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) will continue to start 44-year-old starting quarterback Philip Rivers against the Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) at home this week—even after dropping two in a row, and their playoff hopes currently on life support (per The Athletic’s James Boyd).
While the Colts remain winless with Rivers through two starts, it’s through no fault of the surprisingly unretired longtime veteran starting quarterback’s play—particularly this past Monday Night.
On primetime, Rivers was arguably one of the Colts best players, completing 23 of 35 pass attempts for 277 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and an interception (*which the turnover wasn’t actually his fault).
Despite diminished throwing arm strength, Rivers has been surprisingly efficient and accurate, showcasing his still elite mental side of the game, featuring top-notch pre-snap recognition and the ability to rapidly process and progress through his receiving reads.
The Colts will need Rivers to find his former Pro Bowl form again, as Indianapolis has to win out, and the Houston Texans have to lose their next two games (with Indy playing in Houston for the regular season finale), and have strength of schedule help, to sneak into the AFC playoffs—currently on the outside, looking in.
That’ll be easier said than done, as both the Jaguars and Texans are some of the hottest teams in football—having won 6 and 7 straight games respectively. The Colts’ once league-leading offense is a far cry what it once was too.
What Rivers starting also means is that the Colts won’t be turning to rookie quarterback Riley Leonard yet, or quarterback Anthony Richardson (fractured orbital) who’s yet to be activated off injured reserve but began practicing last week—yet still has some limited vision.
Whether that holds true again for Indianapolis if the team gets eliminated from playoff contention after next week and ahead of the regular season finale in Week 18 on the road in Houston, remains to be seen.
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