Indianapolis Colts fans are living in a different world now than even just a few weeks ago. Daniel Jones was once the starting quarterback and was doing a great job running head coach Shane Steichen's system. Running back Jonathan Taylor was seemingly trending toward being a part of the NFL MVP discussion.
No longer. Now, Philip Rivers is the quarterback after coming back from a nearly five-year retirement. Finding immediate success against a very good Seattle Seahawks defense in Week 15 was likely to be difficult. A victory seemed far-fetched as the Colts were also missing defensive stalwarts DeForest Buckner, Charvarius Ward, and Sauce Gardner.
Did Indy lose? Yes, but they played well enough to give fans hope. Ahead of the game, Colts fans were told that while Rivers might not be able to throw the ball 60 yards down the field, he knew Steichen's system. After all, the quarterback was coaching the scheme in high school. Surely, the plays that worked in high school football would work in the NFL, right?
Philip Rivers proves he was worthy of being signed by the Indianapolis Colts
That appeared far-fetched, and yet, if a team had a quarterback who was willing to not try to do too much, Rivers proved that success could be had, even against the best of defenses. In the first half, he didn't dare try a pass more than 20 yards, and instead happily handed the ball to Jonathan Taylor and then took the short throws available.
Moreover, he got rid of the ball quickly, picked up a few 3rd-and-longs, and made sure he didn't put the ball in harm's way. It wasn't beautiful, but it wasn't supposed to be. It was supposed to lead to winning a football game that few thought Indianapolis could win, and keeping the Colts' playoff hopes alive.
To make matters more impressive, Rivers was having to work without the Colts' starting offensive tackles. Right tackle Braden Smith missed the game while in concussion protocol. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann was lost in the first half with an elbow injury.
Philip Rivers was not signed to replace Daniel Jones to throw 40 passes a game or get to 400 yards passing during a game. He was signed to lead an efficient offense that could eat the clock and score just enough points to steal games, even if that didn't happen in Seattle.
The rest of the season doesn't get any easier. The San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans will all be difficult matchups. One thing is certain: Philip Rivers will give the Indianapolis Colts a chance to win every one of those games.