NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL has many former quarterbacks over the age of 40 wondering if they could turn back time and perform at a similarly high level.
If anything, they should at least take note of what Rivers did in the first half for the Indianapolis Colts against the San Francisco 49ers.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White (56) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 semifinalist turned in a vintage first-half performance against the 49ers, delighting NFL fans tuning into Monday night’s game.
He started the night by coming out to cheers from Colts fans at Lucas Oil Stadium — his family was also in attendance. The Colts went nine plays, 72 yards, and Rivers found wide receiver Alec Pierce for a 20-yard touchdown. Indianapolis jumped out to a 7-0 lead.
NFL SUSPENDS STEELERS’ DK METCALF FOR 2 GAMES AFTER SCAMMING WITH LIONS FAN
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
San Francisco scored on back-to-back drives thanks to Brock Purdy connecting with Demarcus Robinson, the special teams forcing a turnover and then Purdy throwing a touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey. When Rivers got the ball back, he drove down the field again.
The Colts scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to Pierce to cap a 12-play, 66-yard drive. The game was tied with a lot of time left in the first half.
Indianapolis trailed 24-17 at the half. But the attention was on Rivers.
He was 14-of-21 with 175 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The last time he threw multiple touchdown passes in the regular season was on December 20, 2020 against the Houston Texans.
Rivers returned to the Colts last week at the age of 44. He had a solid performance against the Seattle Seahawks for someone who hadn’t thrown a ball in nearly five years.
Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library plus live FOX News, Sports and Entertainment at the lowest price of the year. The offer ends on 4 January 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Now the Colts’ playoff hopes rest on his shoulders.
