Philip Rivers didn’t come out of retirement for the Indianapolis Colts to just leave quietly in January.
On Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, the 44-year-old quarterback looked like someone who still believes — even as the Colts absorbed a damaging 48–27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers that left their AFC playoff aspirations hanging by a thread.
“I’ve been a part of less percentages to get in the playoffs before and still gotten in,” Rivers said after the game, per Angela Moryan of WISH-TV News. “So you won’t see me losing hope.”
Rivers has made the playoffs seven times in his 17 NFL years. His last appearance being with the Colts in 2020, where he completed 27-of-46 pass attempts for 309 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Put simply, he’ll be ready for January. The only question that remains: Will the Colts?
Rivers Gave Colts Every Opportunity Early vs. 49ers
From the opening drive, Rivers brought urgency.
He barked out checks at the line of scrimmage. He jawed with officials, and blessed the football community with crisp touchdown throws, celebrating in signature “GRANDPA PHIL” fashion.
Philip Rivers has fired up the grill, finding Alec Pierce for the Colts TD! 🍳
Catch #MNF LIVE on ESPN on Disney+ 📺
“I thought he was on fire all game,” head coach Shane Steichen added, via NFL.com.
Rivers finished the night 23-of-35 for 277 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, repeatedly pushing the ball downfield and giving the Colts a chance to keep pace.
For the second straight game, the former Pro Bowler looked more than capable of winning a late-season NFL game — five years removed from his last snap.
In fact, Rivers threw for more yards in the first quarter alone than he had in his entire Week 15 outing. His timing with wide receiver Alec Pierce was sharp, and his command of the offense continued to grow despite limited practice time.
For a while, it felt almost surreal.
Rivers, a father of 10 and a grandfather, shuffled around the pocket, chinstrap half-buckled, glove straight out of another era — and still delivered the ball exactly where it needed to be.
“He looks like I remember,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “The ball always goes to the right spot.”
Defense Collapses as Opportunity Slips Away
What Rivers couldn’t overcome was what unfolded on the other side of the ball.
Indianapolis’ defense unraveled against Brock Purdy, who threw a career-high five touchdown passes as the 49ers racked up 440 total yards and never punted. The Colts allowed a season-high 6.7 yards per play and struggled to generate consistent pressure or coverage stops.
By the time the Colts showed any resistance — an interception late in the fourth quarter — the game was already out of reach. Rivers spent much of the night playing from behind, needing near-perfect execution to keep Indianapolis alive.
It never came.
That’s what made the loss sting even more. Rivers wasn’t supposed to be the weak link in this improbable late-season experiment. Through two games, he hasn’t been. He’s provided stability, leadership and enough production to win — if the margins around him had cooperated.
Philip Rivers on the mentality on the #Colts playoff chances with just two games left to play:
The Colts are now staring at the edge of elimination. Still, Rivers isn’t ready to concede.
A possible redemption matchup, and final shot against the dominant Jacksonville Jaguars awaits in Week 17 — back home at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Philip Rivers Addresses Colts’ Playoff Chances After MNF Loss