The Indianapolis Colts are still alive in the playoff chase. If they win their next three games there is a really good chance they at least make the final wild card spot. Considering where things were to start the year, that is highly disappointing. Considering where things have been the last month, they’ll take it. It is still a tall task, and they are asking Philip Rivers to carry them over the finish line. We know the story by now, and we have a game worth of data. Based on that and the pending opponents, will it be enough?
Rivers as a NFL quarterback looked pedestrian against the Seahawks last week. Rivers as retired quarterback coming back to the NFL after being away for five years, actually looked decent. The arm strength wasn’t seen much and some of the passes floated and looked a little wobbly, but what could reasonably be expected? Does he look better in week two? Maybe because he will have had more time to adjust and a game under his belt to settle his nerves. Regardless, the best he can offer is the best the Colts are going to get. They got close in that game, but to expect Rivers to take this team to the playoffs is asking a lot.
Once again, given the circumstances, his overall performance wasn’t terrible. Then again, it wasn’t great either. Rivers was 18/27 passing with 120-yards. That won’t get it done, especially not against really good teams in the 49ers, Jaguars, and Texans. The Colts will lean on Jonathan Taylor as much as humanly possible, but teams have to respect the pass. We haven’t seen anything like this before so it is difficult to know what to fully expect. Rivers may have found his rhythm and a better connection with his receivers. Everything could look different come Monday night. Fans need to be cautiously optimistic at best, however, as the ask is huge. This team was on a downward trajectory and wasn’t looking like a team that was one piece away. Add on that they were scraping the bottom of the quarterback barrel in week fifteen and Rivers was the best they could do with the slim pickings.
Philip Rivers is a professional and a great one at that, but even he has limitations. He can’t outrun time. Heck, he can’t outrun defenders at this point either. Quick passes are his specialty. Get it out to the running backs and tight ends in the flat and lean on the run game. Other players are going to have to step up. We saw the offensive line rise to the task and the defense was firm as well. It will take a group effort if the Colts want to make the playoffs. Just don’t ask Rivers to do it alone.
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