Here is what two NFL insiders are hearing following Phillip Rivers return with the Colts.
How did those within the NFL view Philip Rivers’ return with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15?
ESPN NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano recently shared some of what they had heard.
“The overall feedback was that he was reasonably good, all things considered,” Fowler wrote.
One NFL offensive coach told Fowler, “He played about as well as he could have.”
Rivers threw for only 120 passing yards with a touchdown and a late interception. Up until the final seconds of the game, he did take care of the football, got the ball out of his hands quickly, and helped the Colts sustain drives and win the time of possession battle.
After facing unknowns at quarterback following Daniel Jones’ injury, Rivers did provide some stability.
“I understand what Indianapolis is trying to do with Rivers,” wrote Graziano, “and I’m hearing the same things you are about how pleased the Colts were with his ability to get them in and out of the right looks, change protections and all those things he needs to do to manage a game.”
However, as ESPN’s Ben Solak noted, the Colts’ offense with Rivers was very limited.
The Colts have thrived from under center this season, but were unable to line up that way against Seattle due to Rivers’ limited mobility. In part, that made running the ball more difficult.
There is also almost no threat of generating explosive, downfield passes within this offense, either.
With that said, the Colts remain committed to Rivers. Shane Steichen has already announced that he will start on Monday Night against San Francisco.
At 8-6, the Colts’ playoff chances are becoming less likely each week. A win is a near-must on Monday.