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Philip Rivers

Veteran would see better protection in Indy

Philip Rivers to the Colts is the rumor du jour, and it's a fit that could make a lot of sense for both sides. Old and decrepit though he may be, Rivers is a better passer even now than Jacoby Brissett. And the Colts have the ability to give Rivers the kind of protection he needs to thrive.

After taking an average of 25 sacks in 2017 and 2018, Rivers was sacked 34 times a year ago -- the line fell apart around him. And it wasn't just sacks; under heavy pressure, Rivers forced a lot more throws, throwing 20 interceptions -- he'd averaged half that (11) the two previous seasons. As an immobile pocket passer, it's all going to go south for him if the protection isn't good.

The Colts, meanwhile, have allowed an average of 25 sacks the last two seasons -- since Frank Reich showed up, and since they drafted Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith in the top 40 picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. Overnight they went from a team that had allowed the 2nd-most sacks in the league over a two-year period (100) to the 3rd-fewest (50) -- exactly half as many.

SACKS ALLOWED, 2016-2017
Team20162017Total
Oakland Raiders 182442
Pittsburgh Steelers 212445
New Orleans Saints 272047
Los Angeles Chargers 361854
New York Giants 223456
Jacksonville Jaguars 342458
New England Patriots 243559
Baltimore Ravens 332760
Dallas Cowboys 283260
Atlanta Falcons 372461
Miami Dolphins 303363
Tennessee Titans 283563
Washington 234164
Minnesota Vikings 382765
Chicago Bears 283967
Kansas City 323769
Philadelphia Eagles 333669
Carolina Panthers 363571
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 354075
Los Angeles Rams 492877
Cincinnati Bengals 414081
New York Jets 354782
Detroit Lions 374784
Seattle Seahawks 424385
Green Bay Packers 355186
Houston Texans 325486
San Francisco 49ers 474390
Denver Broncos 405292
Arizona Cardinals 415293
Buffalo Bills 464793
Indianapolis Colts 4456100
Cleveland Browns 6650116

The last two seasons, it's been a very different story in Indianapolis.

SACKS ALLOWED, 2018-2019
Team 20182019Total
New Orleans Saints 202545
New England Patriots 212849
Indianapolis Colts 183250
Kansas City 262551
Los Angeles Rams 332255
Pittsburgh Steelers 243256
Baltimore Ravens 322860
Los Angeles Chargers 343468
Minnesota Vikings 402868
Denver Broncos 344175
Philadelphia Eagles 403777
Chicago Bears 334578
Cleveland Browns 384179
Dallas Cowboys 562379
Buffalo Bills 414081
Oakland Raiders 522981
Detroit Lions 414384
San Francisco 49ers 483684
Cincinnati Bengals 374885
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 414788
Green Bay Packers 533689
New York Jets 375289
Carolina Panthers 325890
New York Giants 474390
Atlanta Falcons 425092
Washington 445094
Jacksonville Jaguars 534295
Seattle Seahawks 514899
Arizona Cardinals 5250102
Tennessee Titans 4756103
Miami Dolphins 5258110
Houston Texans 6249111

Some debate, of course, whether 38-year-old Rivers can still play at a high level. He didn't look it for much of last season. But better protection could go a long way.

As for Brissett, it's unlikely the Colts would be able to bring him back as a backup. Too expensive. So we can start wondering who might be interested in him as a starter, or competition for a starter. New England, if they lose Brady, is one possibility. The Chargers, no matter how much lip service they pay to the idea of starting Tyrod Taylor, is another.

I think Rivers could have a good season with the Colts. Better than he had last year for the Chargers, anyway.

--Andy Richardson

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