Dec 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald walks off the field after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Truly, Phillip Rivers could not have picked a worse week to end his NFL retirement and likely start (assuming his practices go well) for the desperate Indianapolis Colts.

That's because his first assignment in trying to save the Colts' season will be Mike Macdonald's ravenous Seattle Seahawks. On the road in Seattle. Phew. PHEW. In case you're not aware of how dangerous that is for a 44-year-old quarterback who hasn't played professional football in half a decade, here's the statistical picture.

The Seahawks' defense is currently:

  • Second in expected points added (EPA) per play
  • Second in scoring defense
  • Second in third-down defense
  • Fourth in sacks
  • Sixth in yards allowed
  • Sixth in takeaways

Dearest readers, I'm gulping on behalf of quarterbacks everywhere just reading back those bullet points. This Seattle defense is no joke.

Put another way, Mike Macdonald has a special defensive unit on his hands. It's a group that gives many younger and better quarterbacks fits every single week. I'm not going to say Rivers can't enjoy any success against the Seahawks, but it's still a really tough matchup for him on paper to knock off the rust after having not played for so long.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Phillip Rivers came off his couch to play NFL's 2nd-best defense

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

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