The novelty is over.
The 44-year old Philip Rivers started at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. He got the Colts a go-ahead field goal in the final minutes, only for the Seattle Seahawks to spoil the party just before the buzzer.
Now that that's over, though, the Colts have to regroup. They've got three weeks left, and the playoffs are still within reach.
They're 8-6 after Sunday's loss. Time is running out but not gone yet.
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Are the Colts in the playoffs right now?
The Colts are out of the playoffs through Week 15.
They hold the No. 8 spot in the AFC, one place out of the final wild card, which is held by the 9-5 Texans.
The other two wild cards are held by 10-4 Buffalo and the 10-4 Chargers. The AFC South is led by 10-4 Jacksonville.
So at 8-6, the Colts really are eying the Texans at this point.
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Is Philip Rivers going to stay the starter?
It seems like this is an easy one. Rivers should keep starting.
"The 44-year-old quarterback gave the Colts what they were hoping for in his first action in five years," ESPN's Stephen Holder wrote on Monday. "All the basic questions -- could he handle the physicality, keep up with the speed of the game and make any plays -- were answered. The Colts weren't looking for a masterpiece, and they certainly didn't get one. Rivers completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 120 yards with a touchdown and an interception. But his ability to manage the offense and the blocking schemes against a talented Seattle defense, largely because of his expertise in Shane Steichen's system, was a major contribution. Look for Rivers to remain the starter."
The Colts' next game is on Monday night in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. Everyone will get to see what Rivers still has in the tank as Indy tries to save its season.
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