Despite losing to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in his first start since the 2020 season, Indianapolis Colts veteran quarterback Philip Rivers will get his chance at redemption.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that Rivers will remain the team’s starting quarterback for its matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 16.
DraftKings Sportsbook gives the Colts +600 odds to make the playoffs and -900 odds to fall short of the postseason.
The 44-year-old showed that he still has something left in the tank, completing 18 of his 27 passes for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Sunday’s 18-16 loss. He helped the Colts take a one-point lead with under a minute left in the fourth quarter, but the Seahawks won the game on a 56-yard field goal by Jason Myers with 18 seconds left in regulation.
“I’m grateful that I was out there, and it was a blast,” Rivers said after the game, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “But, obviously, the emotions now are disappointment. This isn’t about me. We’ve got a team that was scrapping like crazy to try to stay alive and get in the postseason, so obviously, we’re all disappointed. We came up just short.”
Sticking with Rivers going forward undoubtedly remains the Colts’ best option. Rookie backup quarterback Riley Leonard remains week-to-week with a knee injury. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that second-year signal-caller Anthony Richardson has been medically cleared to return following his recovery from an orbital fracture, and “the hope is to have him back practicing in the near future.”
At 8-6, the Colts’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, so they are hoping that Rivers will be able to help them end their four-game losing streak when they meet the 49ers (10-4).