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The San Francisco 49ers took care of business against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. San Francisco boosted its playoff odds and stayed alive in the division race with the 37-24 victory. Brock Purdy’s dominant performance earned praise from Kyle Shanahan.
But the 49ers head coach also had his eye on another quarterback playing on Sunday – one who’s only two years younger than Shanahan. Philip Rivers made his return to the NFL after a five-year hiatus. The 44-year-old QB faced the Seattle Seahawks and almost led the Indianapolis Colts to a win over San Francisco’s division rival.
After the 49ers’ victory, Shanahan admitted he was impressed by Rivers, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. “He gives [the Colts] a chance to win,” the veteran coach noted.
Shanahan spoke to the newly un-retired quarterback earlier in the week. “I was telling him how cool it was that he was coming back… and then I remember we were playing him in 10 days and I told him what a bad idea it was.”
San Francisco travels to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Monday Night Football in Week 16. And after a solid performance in his first game out of retirement, Rivers will start against the 49ers.
The Colts appeared to pull off the upset victory over Seattle on Sunday. Rivers led a seven-play drive, setting up Blake Grupe’s 60-yard field goal to give Indy a one-point lead with 47 seconds remaining. But Sam Darnold quickly got the Seahawks in field goal range and Jason Myers drilled the game-winning kick.
Meanwhile, San Francisco picked up an easy win over the Titans. Purdy threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Tennessee scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the game appear closer than it was. But the 49ers’ offense dominated, going the entire contest without punting.
At 10-4, San Francisco is a near lock to make the playoffs. And the team still has a slim chance to secure the No. 1 seed. The Colts are on the outside looking in at the postseason. But Rivers will attempt to keep Indy’s playoff hopes alive when he faces Shanahan’s 49ers in Week 16.
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