The Jacksonville Jaguars never gave up despite a poor start to the game, and it was on the last play of the game that they took the lead for the very first time to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 31 to 30, Saturday night at EverBank Field.
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Team Florida made the third-most playoff comebacks in NFL history to advance to the first round. Losing 27-0 at one point, the ‘Jags’ scored 31 points for the rest of the game, while their opponents had to settle for three
Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdown passes and was the victim of as many interceptions. With the ball in hand on his last streak, the 23-year-old quarterback raced up the field to offer his kicker a field goal chance. Riley Patterson didn’t disappoint as he completed his 36-yard attempt.
Being able to find all his receivers in the second half, Lawrence finished with 28 of 47 completions and 288 aerial yards. Marvin Jones Jr., Zay Jones – on a huge 39-yard play – and Christian Kirk have been his targets in the pay zone in the past two quarters.
Atrocious half time
The history of this first half was written by the multiple interceptions suffered by the quarterback of the “Jags”. After five minutes, Lawrence had already thrown into opposing hands twice. The Chargers completed their hat trick by intercepting a third fly ball before the end of the first quarter.
The pivot of Jacksonville will see Asante Samuel son in his nightmares, he who has made three thefts. He is also the first in NFL history to achieve so many in his playoff debut.
Those interceptions led, in order, to a touchdown, a field goal, another touchdown and a punt. Austin Ekeler entered these two majors on runs. The small running back was nevertheless limited to 35 yards on 13 carries.
The Chargers thus took a 27-0 lead, before seeing the Jaguars finally register a touchdown, to return to the locker room with a priority of 20 points.
The Jaguars will face the powerful Kansas City Chiefs in their next duel.