Fansided

5 NFL teams that became playoff contenders in free agency

By Nicholas McGee

Tyrod Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Tyrod Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers sets to pass in the first half of the game against the Oakland Raidersat Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers sets to pass in the first half of the game against the Oakland Raidersat Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis will hope the man the Chargers parted with, Philip Rivers, can be at least a short-term answer at quarterback for a team that reached the Divisional Round of the playoffs back in the 2018 season.

There is significant reason to believe their faith in Rivers is well placed. He may be 38 and coming off a 20-interception season, but Rivers has familiarity with Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni and – playing in a dome eight games a season – should be able to operate the offense at a much higher level than Jacoby Brissett.

Adding playmakers on offense will be the next step for the Colts, who have the talent on both sides of the trenches to contend for an AFC South division the Houston Texans appear unlikely to hold on to following the DeAndre Hopkins trade.

The trade of the Colts’ first-round pick for DeForest Buckner gives Indianapolis a dominant interior presence on the defensive front. Xavier Rhodes’ arrival on a one-year contract will prove an astute addition to the secondary if he rediscovers his best.

General manager Chris Ballard has done an excellent job building the roster and the Colts can contend if Rivers delivers to the standard he has met throughout his career.

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