Philip Rivers fought back tears as he considered what message it would send to his sons, or the young men he has coached, that he nearly led the Indianapolis Colts to victory at age 44.

SEATTLE — From the way Shane Steichen and Philip Rivers are talking, it does not sound like there is much question about who the starting quarterback will be when the Colts take the field on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” against the 49ers.

Philip Rivers is playing quarterback in the NFL again. The 44-year-old started for the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Seattle, ending a nearly five-year retirement.

Rivers, 44, says he didn't return to motivate, but there is a lesson in his start Sunday for the kids he coaches in Alabama.

The 44-year-old coach of the St. Michael Catholic High School football team in Fairhope, Rivers rallied the Colts after Seattle took its first lead at 15-13 on Myers’ 30-yard field goal with 2:27 remaining.

Jason Myers has quietly been a big part of the Seattle Seahawks' success this season. Myers kicked a franchise-record six field goals, including a 56-yarder with 29 seconds left, and the Seahawks outlasted 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts 18-16 without scoring a touchdown.

Philip Rivers had just completed a key third down to Alec Pierce, but this time the Colts were close to kicker Blake Grupe's end-of-game line.

Rivers completed 18 of his 27 passes for 120 yards and led a drive that put the Colts ahead with less than a minute left.

Seattle (10-3) trails the Philip Rivers-led Indianapolis Colts (8-5) by seven points at the break, and it has been ugly on both sides of the ball thus far.

The Bills pulled off one of the most improbable comeback wins of the season, while Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson both bounced back.