5 NFL players who will fall off a cliff in the 2020 season

3. Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts

This is the end of the line for probable Hall of Famer Philip Rivers. He’s certainly not inept or washed but his game has shown serious indicators of mediocrity.

In 2019, Rivers finished the year with a QBR of 48.6. This was worse than Joe Flacco, rookie Daniel Jones and interception aficionado Jameis Winston. Strangely, the man that is currently the reserve quarterback on the Colts, Jacoby Brissett, had a better 2019 QBR than Rivers (50.1).

The feel, so to speak, of this roster tandem at quarterback is one that hints of Brissett reclaiming his job should Rivers falter. Brissett is also not a set-the-world-on-fire type of signal-caller, but he is moderately efficient and protects the football. Last season, Rivers did the opposite. He tossed 20 interceptions–another tell-tale sign that the gasoline tank is near empty.

Nevertheless, Rivers has plenty of hooks to hang his hat on. He ranks sixth all-time in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. He’s a seven-time Pro Bowler. And he owns the 10th-best passer rating of all-time. He has the career accolades, unquestionably.

But beginning this year, he will find his cliff and look downward. We will soon be having discussions about where Rivers ranks among the best quarterbacks never to visit a Super Bowl. Perhaps he and Tony Romo can chat about this together in an announcing booth.