ESPN/NFL
In the Indianapolis Colts opening possession against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, veteran quarterback Philip Rivers looked like his vintage self as he went 5/7 for 72 yards and a touchdown.
To open the game — just his second time suiting up in the NFL since the 2020 season — 44-year-old Philip Rivers converted the first 3rd down of the game with a 19-yard connection to Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor.
19 yards on the catch and run for JT
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Rivers then continued to march the Colts down the field with completions to wide receiver Josh Downs.
Rivers and the Colts are marching down on the opening drive
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Philip Rivers looking good on the opening drive 👀
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Philip Rivers threw the first ever “free play” touchdown of his career against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football
To open the scoring, the veteran signal-caller than took advantage of an offside call on the Niners’ defense and used a free play to complete a 20-yard touchdown to wideout Alec Pierce, which was actually the FIRST free play touchdown of his career, according to ESPN.
Guy can still play 🎯
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In the leadup to the crucial Week 16 Monday Night Football matchup between the Colts and 49ers, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was full of praise for Rivers.
“I mean, he is a little bit older. So, he might not be as fast, might not be able to throw it quite the same distance as he used to, but you don’t know that for sure because you don’t get to exactly see it on tape. But I see a guy who knows how to play the position as good as anyone,” Shanahan told the media last week.
Last week against the Seattle Seahawks, in his first game action since January 9, 2021, Rivers completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interceptions in the 18-16 loss.