Jason Myers has quietly been one of the most reliable pieces of the Seattle Seahawks’ success this season.
On Sunday, he was everything.
Myers drilled a franchise-record six field goals, including a clutch 56-yarder with 29 seconds remaining, as the Seahawks edged the Indianapolis Colts 18–16 in a rare touchdown-free victory at Lumen Field.
“I hit it well,” Myers said afterward. “A little slice there, but once I got it up, I knew I hit a really strong ball.”
Seattle (11–3) needed every kick from Myers, who also converted from 47, 52, 46, 32, and 30 yards, extending his remarkable run of consistency. He has now made 24 of his last 25 field goal attempts, with his lone miss coming on a 61-yard try on Nov. 16. Myers currently leads the NFL with a career-best 154 points this season.
Rivers’ Return Nearly Spoils the Party
The Colts (8–6), desperate to salvage their playoff hopes after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, turned to 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who had not thrown an NFL pass in nearly five years.
Rivers delivered moments of vintage brilliance.
Indianapolis trailed for just 1 minute and 58 seconds all game and briefly took a 13–3 lead when Rivers connected with Josh Downs on an 8-yard touchdown pass—his first since the Colts’ playoff loss to Buffalo on Jan. 9, 2021.
“It was exciting,” Rivers said. “We practiced that exact play all week, on that same hash. And yeah, it’s been 1,800 days since throwing a touchdown—or an interception—so both boxes were checked.”
Rivers finished 18 of 27 for 120 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. The pick came on his final pass attempt, as he tried to force the ball downfield in the closing seconds. Coby Bryant secured the interception—his fourth of the season, a career high.
“He actually played pretty well,” Bryant said. “They got the ball out fast, used screens and the run game. We just stayed disciplined and played our ball.”
Seahawks Grind Out a Gritty Win
Unlike their previous two games—wins by a combined score of 63–9—Seattle had to grind this one out.
After Blake Grupe’s 60-yard field goal gave Indianapolis a late 16–15 lead with 47 seconds left, Sam Darnold calmly led the Seahawks on a final drive. Rashid Shaheed returned the kickoff to the Seattle 37, then caught two passes from Darnold for 25 yards to set up Myers’ game-winner.
The drive marked Darnold’s third game-winning drive this season and the 13th of his career. He finished 22 of 36 for 271 yards in Seattle’s first win without a touchdown since a 6–3 victory over Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024.
“It gives us a lot of momentum,” offensive lineman Grey Zabel said. “It’s a lot easier celebrating a tough win than trying to lift spirits after a loss. I’m glad we have Jason Myers.”
Smith-Njigba, Defense Step Up
NFL receiving leader Jaxon Smith-Njigba rebounded after two quieter weeks, hauling in seven catches for 113 yards, including a critical 39-yard reception that set up Myers’ fifth field goal and gave Seattle a 15–13 lead.
“It means a lot,” Smith-Njigba said. “I could care less about stats right now. I just want to win.”
Seattle’s defense also focused on limiting Jonathan Taylor, who entered as the NFL’s leading rusher. Taylor finished with 25 carries for 87 yards, held to just 3.5 yards per carry.
“That was big,” linebacker Ernest Jones IV said. “We knew they were going to lean on him. All 11 to the ball and hit him hard.”
Shaheed continued his recent surge, catching seven passes for 74 yards, after managing just four catches total in his first four games with Seattle.
“He came in clutch,” Smith-Njigba said. “He runs great routes, and he’s someone we depend on.”
Injuries & What’s Next
Colts:
• OL Bernhard Raimann left in the second quarter with an elbow injury and did not return.
Seahawks:
• LB Derick Hall injured his hand in the first quarter but returned.
• OT Abe Lucas injured his right arm/shoulder in the second half and returned.
Indianapolis has now lost four straight and five of six, falling out of AFC playoff position.
Seattle remains tied with the Los Angeles Rams atop the NFC West, setting up a massive Thursday night showdown between the division rivals.
Next Games:
• Colts: Host San Francisco on Monday, Dec. 22
• Seahawks: Host the Rams on Thursday night for the NFC West lead