Philip Rivers makes Colts debut

Philip Rivers threw two interceptions, including a crucial pick in the fourth quarter with his team trailing by four points, and the Indianapolis Colts lost 27-20 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in his first NFL game without the Chargers. Rivers may have been wearing a new uniform, but the costly mistakes were familiar moments like last season that ultimately played a part in LA deciding to let him walk away after 16 years together.

Rivers finished the game 36-of-46 for 363 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He completed six of six passes to rookie running back Jonathan Taylor for 67 yards gained. He was also eight of eight for 45 yards to Nyheim Hines, another running back, and three-of-three to starting back Marlon Mack. That makes Rivers 17-of-17 on passes to backs but only 19-of-29 to everyone else.

That’s another familiar sight given the production of Austin Ekeler in 2019. Rivers has now turned his attention to Indianapolis’s backs but the plan may have to shift if the Colts want to score more than 20 points per game this season.

The Chargers will see Tyrod Taylor make his first career start with them on Sunday afternoon. He’s the first non-Rivers QB to start a game for the franchise since Drew Brees in 2005.