Bold takeaway: Jason Myers single-handedly carried the Seahawks to a narrow victory, proving one kicking performance can tilt a game even without a touchdown. But here’s where it gets controversial: should a game hinge so heavily on a kicker, and what does that say about Seattle’s reliance on his leg this season?
Seattle edged the Indianapolis Colts 18-16 on Sunday, thanks to Myers’ franchise-record six field goals, highlighted by a 56-yard strike with 29 seconds remaining. The Seahawks didn’t reach the end zone once, yet they outlasted a 44-year-old Philip Rivers and improved to 11-3 as they stretched their winning streak to four. Myers was flawless aside from a 61-yard miss earlier in the season, now pacing the NFL with a career-best 154 points and converting from 47, 52, 46, 32 and 30 yards in addition to the late clincher.
“I hit it well,” Myers said, noting a slight slice but a clean finish once the ball jumped off his boot. Seattle’s offense didn’t need a touchdown for the win, a testament to his accuracy and nerves under pressure.
Rivers, making his first NFL appearance in nearly five years and returning to form as a high-profile veteran, delivered Indianapolis’ lone offensive spark in the red zone. He connected with Josh Downs on an 8-yard touchdown on third down for a 13-3 lead—the rookie Downs’ breakout moment. Rivers’ 18-for-27 night for 120 yards plus a touchdown and an interception capped a performance that, despite the result, a few Colts may view as a silver lining amid a playoff slide.
The Colts briefly surged ahead, then watched as Grupe’s 60-yard field goal with 47 seconds left sealed their fate. Rivers, who had taken over after Daniel Jones’ season-ending injury, navigated steady drives but couldn’t sustain a finish. Cornerback Coby Bryant snagged Rivers’ late pass for his fourth interception of the season, foreshadowing Seattle’s defensive response in crunch time.
Colts head coach Frank Reich orients this game around Rivers’ experience, and Rivers himself admitted the moment was charged: the team had practiced in that exact red-zone scenario all week, and Rivers described the comeback as both exciting and meaningful given the long layoff since his last touchdown (and interception).
Indianapolis has dropped four straight and five of six, slipping out of playoff contention in the AFC as December pressure mounts. Seattle, meanwhile, remained tied with the Rams atop the NFC West, setting up a division showdown on Thursday night.
Key sequence: Rashid Shaheed’s 28-yard kickoff return set up Seattle’s drive; Sam Darnold delivered a productive rally through the air, including a pair of Shaheed catches, to set up Myers’ decisive kick. Darnold’s third game-winning drive of the season highlighted a steady if unflashy performance: 22 of 36 for 271 yards.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba led Seattle’s aerial attack with seven receptions for 113 yards, bouncing back after two quieter weeks. His durability and emphasis on staying healthy paid off, as he expressed a focus on team success over personal stats.
Individually notable is Jonathan Taylor’s effort, carrying 25 times for 87 yards. The Seahawks bottled him up to 3.5 yards per carry, a performance they emphasized as critical against a Colts offense leaning on the run game.
Rashid Shaheed’s blossoming chemistry with Seattle’s offense was another bright note. After a slow start, he reeled in 12 receptions for 141 yards over the last two games, including seven for 74 in this tilt, underscoring his value as a playmaker in space.
Injury headlines: Colts left tackle Bernhard Raimann exited with an elbow injury in the second quarter, while Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall left briefly with a hand issue before returning. Seahawk tackle Abe Lucas also played through a shoulder/arm injury before re-entering later.
Upcoming games: Colts visit San Francisco on Monday, December 22, while Seattle hosts the Rams on Thursday night, a rematch that looms large for NFC West positioning.
This matchup underscored how crucial kickers can be in football’s close games, and it reminded everyone that a strong defensive plan paired with a reliable specialist can decide outcomes in tight margins. Do you think Seattle’s reliance on field goals is sustainable over a playoff push, or should the offense aim for more red-zone efficiency to avoid such grind-it-out wins? Share your take in the comments.
