Trevor Lawrence interceptions have Jags QB getting dragged for playoff debut
Trevor Lawrence had the worst playoff debut imaginable, throwing three interceptions in the first quarter of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Jacksonville Jaguars fanbase had long waited to make a return to the playoffs. That dream became a reality last week when the team defeated the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 to win the AFC South. With that, they earned a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. While this was the Jaguars’ first playoff game since 2017, this was also the first career playoff game for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence’s first career playoff game could not have gotten off to worse start. In the first quarter alone, Lawrence threw three interceptions on the team’s first four offensive drives of the game. To make matters worse, the Chargers capitalized on each turnover with 17 points.
Let’s take a look at how social media users reacted to the shocking playoff debut for Lawrence.
Trevor Lawrence has horrible start to playoff debut: Best memes, tweets
The woes began for Lawrence on the second play of the day. When attempting to throw a pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk, the pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by defensive lineman Joey Bosa, which allowed linebacker Drue Tranquill to record the interception.
To make matters worse, the Chargers took a 7-0 lead two plays later after a 13-yard touchdown run by Austin Ekeler.
On Jacksonville’s second drive, Lawrence targeted wide receiver Zay Jones downfield, but was picked off by cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. There was debate about the play, as Samuel looked to have made contact with Jones prior to the football being thrown at Jones’ direction. There was no penalty flag thrown.
The Chargers extended their lead to 10-0 after a 22-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker.
Then, on the fourth drive of the game for Jacksonville, Samuel picked off Lawrence once again, this time deep in Jacksonville’s own territory. Ekeler once again found the end zone on a touchdown run, further extending their lead to 17-0.
This was a far cry from what fans expected to see out of Lawrence. Prior to the first interception of the game, Lawrence had gone 222 pass attempts without a first quarter interception, per the NBC broadcast.
In the second quarter, Lawrence threw his fourth interception of the game, third to Samuel. At that moment, the Chargers have as any interceptions recorded as the Jaguars have receptions…four.
The very first quarter of Lawrence’s playoff debut will be one that he would like to forget.
As for the rest of the game, it will be one to remember for Lawrence, as the Jaguars overcame a 27-0 deficit to defeat the Chargers 31-30 to advance to the Divisional Round.
