Indianapolis Colts’ Philip Rivers didn’t hold back when reflecting on his NFL return.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers might have played his final NFL game on Sunday. The Colts couldn’t move past the Jacksonville Jaguars (23-17) in Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season after the Houston Texans’ victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday killed their playoff chances.

Rivers returned to the field after five years, and his performances proved that he still had it. At 44, he won’t likely return to the field again, but the eight-time Pro Bowler became one of the biggest stories of the season. With Shane Steichen set to make a decision on who will start against the Houston Texans in Week 18, Rivers reflected on his short 2025 journey.

An emotional Philip Rivers thanked the Colts for the opportunity to play the game he loves so much again.

“If it’s the last one, it’s the last one,” Rivers said. “I thought the last one was walking off the field in Buffalo (in January 2021). We’re walking up that tunnel and I was fine with it. And that one had tears, and those few days after it — and I was at peace with that being the last one.

“So certainly, if it is, I got three bonus games that I never saw coming and couldn’t be more thankful that I got the opportunity.”

Philip Rivers Was Mad At Referees During Colts-Jaguars Duel

Dec 14, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) walks to the locker room following a loss against the Seattle Seahawks Colts at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Before he opened up on his return to the field, Philip Rivers was seen going in on referees during Sunday’s game. He showed his competitive fire again in the third quarter. He completed an 18-yard pass to wide receiver Josh Down. When the Colts were ready to snap the ball for the next play, the referees granted Jaguars head coach Liam Coen a challenge.

Rivers clearly didn’t appreciate the call.

Downs praised Rivers for keeping it up against three good opponents despite coming off a five-year “hiatus.”

“He played at a good level against three really good teams,” Downs said. “I appreciate him a lot. He’s a great dude, he’s very competitive, really smart and he’s a great guy. … It’s incredible that he came off the couch and played after five years. I don’t think anybody would do that except him.”

The Colts could start Riley Leonard in Week 18 with nothing left to play for.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.