Seahawks' Mike Macdonald addresses 'tricky' matchup against Colts, Philip Rivers

As of Thursday morning, it certainly appeared that recently-unretired quarterback Philip Rivers will start for the 8-5 Indianapolis Colts when they play at the 10-3 Seattle Seahawks in Week 15. 

Rivers, 44, hasn't played in a meaningful game since he featured for the Colts during the 2020 season. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald discussed how he and his staff are preparing for what likely will go down as the most unique matchup of Seattle's season. 

Will Seahawks "overthink" going up against Philip Rivers?

"Yeah, it’s tricky," Macdonald said about preparing to go up against the Rivers-led Colts, per Gregg Bell of The News Tribune. "You know me: Do you overthink it? I mean, you are going to go back and watch some of the stuff he did before he retired. You are obviously going off a lot of what they’ve done this year (with Daniel Jones). At the end, we’ve got to go play football. We’ve got to make sure we are on our stuff, that we’re ahead of plays and playing our style of ball." 

Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 14, and backup Anthony Richardson Sr. is sidelined with an orbital fracture. Rookie quarterback Riley Leonard is dealing with a strained knee ligament, but the Colts could activate journeyman Brett Rypien off the practice squad to face the Seahawks. 

Macdonald made it clear who he expects to start for Indy this Sunday. 

"Yeah, we’re expecting him to play," Macdonald said about Rivers. "We’ve got to be ready for Riley and for Brett. But...yeah." 

Does Mike Macdonald think he'll see the Philip Rivers of old?

History suggests a rusty Rivers will be a flop in his unexpected return to an active NFL roster. As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Seattle as a massive 14-point favorite over the Colts. 

On Wednesday, Macdonald indicated he and the Seahawks aren't taking the Rivers assignment lightly. 

"If anybody can pull it off, it’s him," Macdonald added about Rivers. "The guy’s probably one of the best competitors in the history of the NFL. I’m sure he wouldn’t do it if he didn’t feel he’s ready. So we’re getting ready for him, like he’s been playing the whole time."