Philip Rivers does his part, but Colts humbled in loss to 49ers - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Philip Rivers was the last player to leave the Indianapolis Colts' locker room Monday night following their 48-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, seemingly trying to soak up every moment of this improbable — and presumably final — go-round in the NFL.

As Rivers tried to enjoy what is left of his football career after unretiring just over a week ago, he's wrestling with the conflicting emotions brought about by the Colts' 0-2 record in his two games under center.

«I'm torn on how to express it, because it's been a blast,» Rivers said of his return to the NFL after nearly five years away. «It's been a blast to prepare and to go stinking get ready and go out there and warm up and do all that with these guys again. But, again, the name of the game is not go have a good time. It's help find a way to lead your team to a win. And we've come up short.»

Rivers, who rejoined the Colts in the wake of Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles injury, couldn't will the Colts to a win Monday night despite an impressive individual performance that saw the 44-year-old turn back the clock and throw for 277 yards with two touchdowns to receiver Alec Pierce.

Rivers, who also had an interception, completed 23 of his 35 pass attempts and pushed the ball more aggressively down the field than his debut in Week 15 ever suggested might be possible. In that game against the Seattle Seahawks, Rivers executed the Colts' conservative game plan and led them on a go-ahead drive with under a minute to play. But he threw for only 120 yards.

«I thought he was on fire all game,» coach Shane Steichen said of Rivers' performance Monday night.

The home game at Lucas Oil Stadium was a night the Rivers family won't soon forget. The entire family —