Trevor Lawrence interceptions have Jags QB getting dragged for playoff debut
By Scott Rogust
![JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 14: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 14: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e4d32aabfd514f36c1c52a877d1ab369e614e277aabd66328476c92ac8b5f7b7.jpg)
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
Trevor Lawrence is the first QB with an INT on each of his first 2 career playoff drives since play-by-play data has been tracked in 1991.
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence after throwing the first pick pic.twitter.com/b1gcEB4FHR
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) January 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1614435302583443459
Two unlucky INTs for Trevor Lawrence, the stats look bad!
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence has thrown more Postseason Interceptions than Josh Allen.
— Hänsel (@UberHansen) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence pic.twitter.com/dCMZUsK4ce
— Juke 🫂&🤬 (@JukeTTV) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence against the Chargers tonight: pic.twitter.com/txetaEv0iN
— Legion Sports Management (@thelegionsm) January 15, 2023
The last player to be intercepted on each of his team's first two possessions of a playoff game was Peyton Manning in the 2003 AFC Championship against the Patriots (lost 24-14). So Trevor Lawrence is at least in good company at this point.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence looks lost
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) January 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/TajTheKing_30/status/1614437499417272320
Trevor Lawrence has lost two straight playoff games, not sure why people are surprised he’s struggling tonight.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 15, 2023
Must be nice when Trevor Lawrence is doing his best Nathan Peterman impression against the Chargers.
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) January 15, 2023
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.
Asante Samuel gives Zay Jones a nice hug before picking off Lawrence, no flag #LACvsJAX pic.twitter.com/MBn6tXEW2V
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) January 15, 2023
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.
Next. 3 Seahawks most to blame for Wild Card playoff loss to 49ers. dark