Fantasy Football Playoff Advice
Indianapolis signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers to the practice squad on Tuesday after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles in Week 14. The Colts lost Jones on the second drive of Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville. Riley Leonard replaced him and completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards with an interception and a rushing touchdown. Leonard suffered a Grade 1 PCL sprain during the game. Coach Shane Steichen said Monday he hopes Leonard can play Sunday at Seattle but offered no guarantees. Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve with an orbital fracture and will not be activated for Week 15.
The latest NFL news update is suggesting Philip Rivers has a “very real chance” of starting versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15
Rivers worked out Monday at the team facility. He signed on Tuesday and participated in practice on Wednesday. The Colts altered their practice schedule from two sessions to three after signing Rivers. He last played in the 2020 season with Indianapolis and threw for 4,169 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
The quarterback uncertainty creates significant problems for fantasy managers considering Colts receivers. Josh Downs has 40 receptions for 370 yards and three touchdowns through 13 games. He caught two passes for 44 yards in Week 13 against Houston and six passes for 57 yards with a touchdown in Week 9 against Pittsburgh. Downs has not exceeded 57 receiving yards in any game this season. He runs primarily slot routes and could see increased targets with a quarterback favoring short throws.
Michael Pittman Jr. leads Indianapolis receivers with 351 yards and five touchdowns on 35 receptions through eight weeks of action. He caught eight passes for 95 yards with a touchdown in Week 8 against Tennessee. Pittman handles the intermediate routes and commands the highest target share among wideouts. His production depends on which quarterback takes snaps Sunday.
Alec Pierce has 585 yards on 28 receptions. He leads the NFL in yards per reception at 20.9 and specializes in deep routes. Pierce caught two passes for 69 yards in Week 8. His role as a vertical threat makes him the most quarterback-dependent receiver in Indianapolis. Rivers struggled with deep throws late in his 2020 season. Pierce’s value drops significantly if Rivers starts.
Rookie tight end Tyler Warren emerged as Jones’ preferred target. Warren has 58 receptions for 684 yards and four touchdowns. He caught six passes for 63 yards with a touchdown in Week 6 against Arizona. Warren runs routes at all levels and also lines up as a fullback. His versatility makes him the safest pass-catching option regardless of who plays quarterback.
What Are The Odds?
Currently, week 15 odds have the 8-5 Indianapolis Colts as 13.5-point underdogs on the road against the 10-3 Seahawks.
Lumen Field, in Seattle, is no joke. This is a deafening environment, but the rain could also have a huge impact on this game. Seattle’s defense, which has allowed only nine points over the last two games, will be tough to move the ball against. Seattle has not allowed a touchdown in eight quarters. The Seahawks rank second in the NFL, allowing 17.4 points per game. They have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 22 consecutive games.
Fantasy Notes
Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor has rushed for 217 yards and one touchdown over the last three games after totaling 244 yards and three touchdowns in Week 10 against Atlanta. The Colts will likely lean on Taylor more with quarterback instability, but the Seahawks are likely to load the box with the old timer under center. It’s not a great matchup, but you have to play Taylor.
The pass catchers are a different story. Fantasy managers in playoff matchups should try to avoid Indianapolis receivers this week if you can. The combination of quarterback uncertainty and a dominant Seattle defense creates too many variables. Downs profiles as the safest option if desperate for a flex play, but his floor remains extremely low. Pittman and Pierce carry more risk despite higher ceilings. Warren represents the best play among Colts pass-catchers but ranks as a low-end TE1 option.
The situation improves slightly if Leonard starts, but his knee injury limits his mobility. Rivers provides experience but lacks the arm strength needed for Pierce’s deep routes. Either scenario caps the upside for all Indianapolis receivers.