Colts’ Philip Rivers carves up 49ers defense for 2nd touchdown

Indianapolis Colts rental quarterback Philip Rivers is showing the primetime stage never left him. Rivers immediately threw an effortless touchdown pass for Indy’s first points. But he wasn’t through against the San Francisco 49ers.

The 44-year-old comfortably stood in the pocket amid an incoming rush. Rivers showed no panic — and hit Alec Pierce for the second time on MNF.

Philip Rivers and Alec Pierce connect for the second time tonight

The Colts QB is dealing in primetime pic.twitter.com/0Akb4IxmxU https://t.co/EtULxremrT

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 23, 2025

Rivers tied the game up at 14-14 that also got his family overjoyed inside a Lucas Oil Stadium suite. He already surpassed the 130-yard mark before the 13-minute mark of the second quarter.

Philip Rivers sparks reactions for fast start in Colts vs. 49ers

Rivers ended up dueling with a QB younger than him by 19 years.

Brock Purdy delivered his own scoring strikes — throwing three touchdowns before halftime. Purdy found Demarcus Robinson, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle in the end zone. The latter put the 49ers back up 21-14 early in the second.

Rivers’ performance, however, sparked multiple reactions across the web. Notably from his high school team he was coaching.

Philip Rivers' high school team was PUMPED to see their coach throw a TD on Monday Night Football

@NoahMoss2026 pic.twitter.com/vYl3blUaU9

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 23, 2025

Rivers even drew in a fan in former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel.

“Whoever said Philip Rivers doesn’t throw the football down the field needs to look at this first half,” Daniel posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

Former ESPN NFL personality Trey Wingo even reacted — though through a humorous take in looking at Rivers’ physique.

Watching Philip RIvers dissect the NIners D while looking like Jared Lorenzen after a crash diet is like… pic.twitter.com/KEB2OAsPGf

— trey wingo (@wingoz) December 23, 2025

Rivers, however, took a sack for the first time on the night late into the second quarter. Past Indiana defensive lineman star C.J. West snatched Rivers to the ground to force a third-and-12. However, Rivers nearly got Indy to the first down as he escaped the pocket and found Michael Pittman II for the 10-yard gain.

The post Colts’ Philip Rivers carves up 49ers defense for 2nd touchdown appeared first on ClutchPoints.