JACKSONVILLE, FL — The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Los Angeles Chargers for the AFC Wildcard round of the NFL Playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 14. Sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence and quarterback Justin Herbert made their playoff debuts. Lawrence's abysmal four first-half interceptions allowed the Chargers to build a sizable lead. However, the Jaguars recovered in the second half to get within striking distance in the 4th quarter. The Jags kicked a 38-yard field goal as time expired to down the Chargers 31-30.
The Jaguars began the game with two interceptions on two straight drives. The Chargers took advantage of Lawrence’s mistakes and scored an early ten points. First, RB Austin Ekeler capped off a quick 2-play drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to put the Chargers up 7-0. After that, K Cameron Dicker hit a 22-yard field goal following Lawrence’s second interception. With 5:30 remaining in the first quarter, the Chargers led 10-0.
The Jaguars’ abysmal first quarter continued with two mins to go. Lawrence threw his third interception to Asante Samuel Jr. on a pass intended for TE Evan Engram at Jacksonville’s 16-yard line. It took the Chargers only three plays to score again. Ekler took a handoff outside to the left side of the field for a 6-yard touchdown. The Chargers led with 44 seconds left in the first quarter, 17-0.
Following another Jaguars’ punt, Herbert orchestrated an 11-play, 62-yard drive capped off with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Everett. Trevor Lawrence followed up the touchdown and the 24-point disadvantage with his 4th interception. The Jags’ defense stopped the Charges from scoring, but a muffed punt gave Los Angeles the ball back inside Jacksonville’s 20-yard line. Dicker hit a 23-yard field goal four plays later to give the Chargers a 27-0 advantage.
The Jaguars finally got on the board, with time running out in the first half. Lawrence led a 7-play, 47-yard drive to score. Lawrence hit Evan Engram for a 9-yard touchdown. The Chargers led at the break, 27-7.
Jaguars’ Head Coach Doug Pederson must have given a heck of a halftime speech because Jacksonville looked like a completely different team in the second half. Not only did they hold the Chargers to three points, but the Jags scored 21 unanswered to put the Jaguars down 30-28 with the ball with just under three minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles forced a 4th down and one to go right at the Chargers' 40-yard line with the game on the line. Jacksonville lined up in a heavy formation for what looked like a quarterback sneak. Instead, Lawrence handed the ball off to RB Etienne Jr. on the outside, who took the ball an additional 25 yards down the field to the Chargers’ 14-yard line. K Riley Patterson nailed the 36-yard field goal, and inexplicably, the Jaguars beat the Chargers to advance to the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs, 31-30.
Trevor Lawrence had a truly horrendous first half when he threw four interceptions. He came back in the second half to finish the game throwing 28/47 for 288 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.
The Jacksonville Jaguars with play either the Ravens or Bengals if they win their Wild Card matchup. However, if the Bills beat the Dolphins and the Bengals beat the Ravens, the Jaguars travel to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to face Patrick Mahomes and the No. 1-seeded Chiefs.
Trevor Lawrence had a truly horrendous first half when he threw four interceptions. He came back in the second half to finish the game throwing 28/47 for 288 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.
The Jacksonville Jaguars with play either the Ravens or Bengals if they win their Wild Card matchup. However, if the Bills beat the Dolphins and the Bengals beat the Ravens, the Jaguars travel to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City to face Patrick Mahomes and the No. 1-seeded Chiefs.
Jaguars' Quarterback Trevor Lawrence
(Credit: twitter.com/@NFL)
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