Even not having played in the NFL for a long time, a 44-year-old person might find the aches and pains of getting out of bed more difficult than when they were 25. Getting older is tough. But for a mid-40s quarterback returning after a five-year absence and playing the excellent Seattle Seahawks defense, the pain will probably be real.
This isn't to say that anyone should wish Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers to get hurt. Not at all. Hopefully, he plays out the rest of the season and does well except for what he does in Week 15. But make no mistake: Monday morning is not going to be fun for Rivers.
The Seahawks won't care that Rivers, who was confirmed to be starting against Seattle by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, could be on the verge of a Disney-type movie. He hasn't played since 2020, and he could help lead a struggling team to the playoffs. He would save Christmas for Indy fans.
Colts' Philip Rivers officially starting against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15
Instead, Seattle defenders know they have a job to do, just as they do against any QB in the NFL, no matter how old they are. Moreover, the Seahawks could be extra motivated because they don't want to be part of a happy storyline for Philip Rivers. That can start in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers.
In fact, let's hope it does. If Rivers does fantastically and leads the Colts to a stunning victory, which also hurts the 49ers' playoff chances and record, so be it. That only helps the Seahawks, of course.
Head coach Mike Macdonald certainly wasn't going to be fooled by the Colts not naming a starter before Saturday. The coach said earlier in the week that his team was preparing to take on Rivers, and if they needed to adjust to facing Riley Leonard, great.
Instead, the Seattle Seahawks will be part of the biggest story in Week 15. Will Philip Rivers have a magical story, or will he have one akin to a nightmare? Seattle and its defense will most certainly be the antagonist that Rivers doesn't want.
Many other teams would have been easier matchups for the Colts and Rivers. The Seahawks are fast and have a brutal defensive front. The quarterback will be feeling some pain on Monday morning, but Seattle simply needs to make sure he doesn't wake up happy that his team won the day before.