Colts: Here’s how Philip Rivers can cement Hall of Fame case in 2020

Colts QB Philip Rivers could cement his Hall of Fame case in 2020.

The conclusion of the Los Angeles Chargers’ campaign last year confirmed that Colts QB Philip Rivers has gone 15 NFL seasons without winning a championship and won’t compete in a Super Bowl (if he ever does) until he’s at least 38 years old.

For as mesmerizing as his regular season accomplishments are — and there’s no denying they are historic — some analysts believe that Rivers’ playoff shortcomings could severely impact his chances at getting into the Hall of Fame.

However, with the eight-time Pro Bowler confirming that the global pandemic wouldn’t be enough to sideline him this year, Yahoo! Sports columnist Terez Paylor pronounced that Rivers is the quarterback with the most to gain in 2020, as it pertains to cementing his case for the Hall.

Despite his typical pedigree, Rivers is somehow the eighth-highest-rated passer in NFL history, but only five gunslingers in league history have thrown more touchdown passes, and just seven have tallied more passing yards.

In the two latter categories, some of the QBs he outranks include current Hall of Fame members like John Elway, Joe Montana, Warren Moon, Fran Tarkenton and Johnny Unitas. That’s obviously some gargantuan company, and though they played in different eras, what’s the Hall of Fame for if not cross-generation comparisons? And speaking of late-career Super Bowls changing a narrative, meet Mr. Elway.

With that being said, Paylor — who’s been a Hall of Fame voter since 2016 — notes that the deciding factor for the Indianapolis Colts signal caller could come down to his zero Super Bowl appearances or All-Pro nods. Notable individual season awards (like MVP) are important, too, and the only one that Rivers has notched is the Comeback Player of the Year back in 2013.

Furthermore, the former No. 4 overall pick has just five playoff wins across his 13 seasons as a starting quarterback. When you consider some of the talent the Chargers have flaunted through the years, that’s not a great optic. He’s also been to just one AFC Championship Game, and owns a mediocre 84.2 passer rating in 11 career playoff appearances.

All of those variables working against Rivers‘ revered resume is what makes 2020 so pivotal in bolstering his case for Canton. A potential All-Pro, MVP award or even a deep playoff run could seal the deal. That’s going to be tough, considering the Colts finished third in the AFC South with a 7-9 record last year, but is any task really too tall for the grizzled veteran?

We know better than to write him off.