Most interceptions in an NFL game

Asante Samuel Jr. picking off Trevor Lawrence three times in one half of the 2023 AFC Wild Card had fans curious about the most interceptions in an NFL game

The worst thing that can happen in a playoff game is a quarterback just being completely out of sorts. Such was the case for Trevor Lawrence with the Jaguars in the 2023 AFC Wild Card Round matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers with cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. really adding to the pain.

In the first quarter alone, Lawrence threw three interceptions, two of which were hauled in by Samuel. After that, things didn’t get all that much better as Samuel picked off Lawrence once more, giving the quarterback four picks in 30 minutes of action and the corner three interceptions to his credit.

That had fans wondering about the records for most interceptions in an NFL game.

Most interceptions in an NFL game: Most thrown

Lawrence had an awful start against LA in the Wild Card Round but he was still a far cry from a truly untouchable record. Back on Sept. 24, 1950, Chicago Cardinals quarterback Jim Hardy set the record for the most intercepted passes in a game when he threw 8 interceptions in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Seven other quarterbacks have, fittingly, thrown 7 interceptions in a single game, the most recent coming in 2001 when Detroit Lions quarterback Ty Detmer achieved the dubious feat in a matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Most interceptions in an NFL game: Most picks by one player

Samuel’s first half put him on track to at least come close to the NFL record for most interceptions caught in a game. 13 players are tied for the record with 4 interceptions in a single game. DeAngelo Hall with Washington was the last to accomplish that back on Oct. 24, 2010. The other players to have picked off a quarterback four times in one game are Deltha O’Neal (2001), Kwamie Lassiter (1998), Deron Cherry (1985), Vernon Perry (1979), Willie Buchanon (1978), Dick Anderson (1973), Willie Brown (1964), Bobby Hunt (1964), Bobby Ply (1962), Jerry Norton (1961), Dave Baker (1960) and Jerry Norton (1960).

Hats off to Norton for not only doing that twice, but doing it in back-to-back seasons as well.

Most interceptions in an NFL Playoff game

Unfortunately for Lawrence, he’s getting close to the inauspicious record for most INTs in a playoff game. Four quarterbacks have thrown six interceptions in a postseason contest. Three of those players were on the field before the AFL-NFL merger, though: Norm Van Brocklin, Bobby Layne and Frank Filchock. Brett Favre is the other member of this group, but he threw six picks in a 2002 playoff game for the Packers against the Rams.

As for most interceptions caught by a player in a playoff game, that record is the same as the most in any game with four. However, Vernon Perry of the Houston Oilers is the only player to accomplish that in the playoffs, grabbing four picks in the 1979 AFC Divisional Round game against, coincidentally, the San Diego Chargers.