Seahawks Outlast Philip Rivers, Colts 18-16 on Myers’ 56-Yard Field Goal/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jason Myers nailed six field goals, including a game-winning 56-yarder with 29 seconds left, to lift the Seattle Seahawks to an 18-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Philip Rivers returned from retirement but couldn’t complete the comeback in his NFL return. Seattle stayed tied atop the NFC West with its fourth straight win.
Seahawks Clutch Win Quick Looks
- Jason Myers hits six field goals, including game-winner
- Myers sets Seahawks record, scores all 18 points
- Philip Rivers returns after nearly five years, throws TD
- Seahawks win despite not scoring a touchdown
- Rivers’ final pass intercepted by Seattle’s Coby Bryant
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads all receivers with 113 yards
- Seahawks improve to 11-3, still tied with Rams
- Sam Darnold engineers final drive to set up kick
- Colts fall to 8-6, out of AFC playoff picture
- Seahawks host Rams Thursday in critical NFC West clash
Seahawks Outlast Philip Rivers, Colts 18-16 on Myers’ 56-Yard Field Goal
Deep Look
In a game defined by defense, drama, and an improbable quarterback comeback, the Seattle Seahawks walked away with a gritty 18-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts — thanks entirely to the leg of kicker Jason Myers.
Myers was flawless, converting all six of his field goal attempts and scoring every point for Seattle. His final kick — a booming 56-yarder with just 29 seconds left — sealed the win and etched his name into Seahawks history with a franchise-record six made field goals in a single game.
“I hit it well,” Myers said after the game. “Once I got it up, I knew it was going strong.”
Myers, now 24-of-25 on field goal attempts over the last several weeks, leads the NFL with 154 points this season — a personal best. His consistency has been a driving force behind Seattle’s 11-3 record and four-game win streak.
Seattle managed to win without reaching the end zone, marking the team’s first touchdown-free victory since a 6-3 triumph over Chicago in December 2024. Quarterback Sam Darnold did enough to guide the offense into scoring position repeatedly, finishing with 271 yards on 22-of-36 passing, including two key completions to Rashid Shaheed on the final drive.
“We trust Jason,” said Darnold. “Our job was just to get him in range. And he took care of the rest.”
That last drive was Darnold’s third game-winning march of the season and the 13th of his career. It helped Seattle remain tied with the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West. The division rivals will meet Thursday night in a pivotal showdown.
Meanwhile, all eyes were on the Colts and the unexpected return of 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers. Out of the league for nearly five years, Rivers came back to replace injured starter Daniel Jones, who suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.
Rivers brought energy and precision to the field, completing 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown — an 8-yard connection to Josh Downs that gave Indianapolis a 13-3 lead. It was Rivers’ first touchdown pass since a 2021 playoff loss to Buffalo.
“It was exciting,” Rivers said. “We practiced that red-zone play from the exact same spot this week. So when it worked, it really fired me up. And to throw a touchdown again, after almost 1,800 days, yeah, that was special.”
The Colts briefly reclaimed the lead in the final minute with a 60-yard field goal by Blake Grupe, only for Myers to answer seconds later. Rivers’ final attempt to mount a game-winning drive ended with an interception by Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant — his career-best fourth of the season.
“He played pretty well for being out that long,” Bryant said. “But we were prepared. Quick passes, screen game, run game — we studied everything. We just had to stay locked in.”
Indianapolis has now lost four straight and five of its last six, dropping to 8-6 and slipping out of AFC playoff contention.
Rookie wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a standout for Seattle, hauling in seven catches for 113 yards — including a 39-yard reception that helped set up Myers’ fifth field goal. After being held under 100 yards the previous two weeks, Smith-Njigba showed why he leads the NFL in receiving yards this season.
“Honestly, I could care less about stats right now,” he said. “I just want to win. Taking care of my body and being here for my teammates — that’s what matters.”
Shaheed, who has recently found a rhythm after a quiet start in Seattle, added seven receptions for 74 yards. He’s now posted 141 yards over the last two games, quickly becoming a trusted target in the passing game.
The Seahawks’ defense also rose to the occasion, holding NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor to 87 yards on 25 carries — a solid performance given Taylor’s explosive potential.
“That was our game plan,” said linebacker Ernest Jones IV. “We knew they’d lean on Taylor and use short passes to get Rivers comfortable. So we swarmed to the ball and made sure he didn’t break loose.”
The win keeps Seattle in firm control of its postseason destiny, while the Colts — who had hoped Rivers’ return would be a spark — are now facing long odds to reach the playoffs.
Injury Report
Colts:
- OL Bernhard Raimann (elbow) exited in the second quarter and did not return.
Seahawks:
- LB Derick Hall (hand) left in the first quarter but returned later.
- T Abe Lucas (arm/shoulder) briefly exited in the second half before returning.
Upcoming Games
Colts: Host the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, December 22
Seahawks: Host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night
You must Register or Login to post a comment.