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Future Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers, at the ripe age of 44 years old, made his return to an NFL field after over 1,800 days away over the weekend as he started for the Indianapolis Colts for the first time since the 2020 season.
In the Colts’ narrow 18-16 loss to the now 11-3 Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, Philip Rivers — starting in his first game since January 9, 2021 — completed 18-27 passes for 120 yards for one touchdown and one interception.
Rivers’ return to the NFL was not only one of the stories of the NFL season, but it got people in Indianapolis more interested in the Colts since the last time Rivers played, as viewership for the game was the most-watched Colts age in the Indy market in five years.
The Week 15 game between the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks was the most-watched Colts game in Indy in five years
The Philip Rivers effect: Sunday’s game in Seattle was the most-watched Colts game in the Indianapolis market on CBS in five years, per @CBSSportsGang.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) December 17, 2025
Precisely
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) December 17, 2025
Following Rivers’ start on Sunday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced on Monday that Rivers would be the starting QB for the Colts’ next game — a Monday Night Football showdown at home against the San Francisco 49ers.
The 8-6Colts are currently on the outside looking in of the AFC playoff picture as they trail the 7th seed Houston Texans by one game.