The Indianapolis Colts are attempting to do the impossible, pulling 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement five years removed from his last NFL pass in an attempt to keep this team in the playoff picture following an injury to locked-in starting quarterback Daniel Jones.
Just a few days ago, Rivers was happily retired and serving as head football coach of the St. Michael Catholic Cardinals in his native Alabama. After only a few days of practice, Rivers is not only starting against a 10-win Seattle Seahawks team on the road, but he's looking better than anyone would have thought possible.
Rivers, who is literally a grandfather at this point, helped the Colts go into halftime with a lead against all odds. Watching back in Alabama, all of Rivers' former players were thrilled when Coach turned back the clock to his Chargers days.
At a St. Michael's watch party, Rivers' players were absolutely nuts when he connected with Josh Downs on a touchdown that put Indianapolis up 13-3 against a Seahawks team thought to be one of the best in the NFL on the road. Rivers is showing every one of his players that any comeback is possible with enough determination.
Philip Rivers' high school players go nuts after his first Colts touchdown in five years
Rivers ended the first half 10-16 for 82 yards and the touchdowns. While he started off slow and completed just three of his first nine, the future Hall of Famer (who will have to wait for induction for five more years after returning to full health) managed to get in a groove.
Rivers is trying to take what the Seattle defense gives him and trust playmakers like Downs, Michael Pittman Jr, and Tyler Warren to be there for him. Considering how well Seattle has played in recent weeks, Rivers even being this good is a testament to his football brain and accuracy.
Part of why Rivers may look so good is that the offense Shane Steichen wants to run with Indianapolis is the exact same one that he installed on his high school team. Instead of teaching his son Gunner how to make reads and throws, Rivers is giving everyone a crash course in what this attack is supposed to look like.
Even if the Colts' Hail Mary attempt to save the season fails, Rivers looking as good as he does despite his age and clear lack of mobility is extremely impressive. Rivers is creating moments his players back home will never forget.