Colts: This stat proves Indy doing unreal job protecting Philip Rivers

The Colts are even better than you think at protecting Philip Rivers.

The Colts’ signing of Philip Rivers this past offseason as a stop-gap option under center made sense based on the lack of other options available, but it was still met with mixed reviews among the fanbase, which was likely scarred by his erratic showing in 2019.

In 16 starts, Rivers completed 66% of his passes for 4,615 yards and 23 touchdowns compared to a whopping 20 interceptions. For context, only two quarterbacks in the NFL — Baker Mayfield (21) and Jameis Winston (30) — threw more INTs than the former Chargers veteran. He also had eight fumbles.

While there’s no denying Rivers’ declining arm strength and questionable decision-making at times, the Chargers’ catastrophe of an offensive line did him zero favors. In fact, it’s been ranked 26th or worse in the NFL every season dating back to 2014, according to Pro Football Focus.

Fortunately for Rivers, he no longer has to worry about getting walloped on every snap with Indy, which is widely said to have arguably the best offensive line in the league. How different is his current situation? Well, let’s just say the eight-time Pro Bowler (per PFF) has been pressured just 17 times through three games this campaign — after being pressured 14 times PER GAME last year.

Those stats are mind-blowing and it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that Rivers looks as sharp as he does in 2020. Through three games, he leads the NFL with a ridiculous 78.3 completion percentage, which is almost two percent higher than that of Russell Wilson (76.7), who is the consensus MVP favorite thus far.

On top of that, Rivers also ranks third in the league in terms highest rate of accurate passes (60.6%) thrown 10 yards or more downfield. See what happens when an elite gunslinger has enough time to go through his progressions and isn’t forced to improvise by making premature throws or being on the run?

We all know Rivers loves to sling the pigskin downfield, and these stats prove he’s more than capable of doing so at an efficient level as long as he has time in the pocket. On the other side of the spectrum, they prove his struggles doing so in 2019 were largely the product of woeful pass protection.

For those wondering, no, this wasn’t a build-up to us proclaiming that the Colts should unleash Rivers and abandon their elite rushing attack. The run game no doubt remain their identity, but if the offensive line can stay healthy, fans in Indianapolis will continue to be treated to the most responsible and accurate version of Rivers that the NFL has seen in several years.

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