The Jacksonville Jaguars entered their AFC Wild Card Game against the Los Angeles Chargers, riding a wave of success. Jacksonville, led by Trevor Lawrence and a playmaking defense, hadn’t lost a game since the first Sunday of December. Come the postseason, with “Golden Boy” Lawrence making his playoff debut, the Jaguars looked like a real force to be reckoned with.
That is, until Lawrence actually had to play against the Chargers’ defense. The Jaguars had three first-quarter possessions on Saturday night. And on each of them, Lawrence threw a brutal pick as L.A. capitalized by amassing a 17-0 lead. Through 15 minutes of play, the young QB had the same number of completions (3) as interceptions (also 3!) through one quarter.
You probably couldn’t imagine a worse start to a postseason career for a young star. (Hey, not everyone can be Brock Purdy.)
By the time the Jaguars could even catch their breath, they were down 27-0 after Lawrence had thrown a fourth pick (!) halfway through the second quarter, three to Asante Samuel Jr. That put Lawrence in the dubious company of some of the worst NFL playoff debuts ever for a quarterback:
Players since 1991 to turn it over 4 times in 1st half of playoff game:
Trevor Lawrence tonight vs Chargers
Brian Hoyer 1/9/2016 vs Chiefs
Dan Marino 1/15/2000 vs Jaguars— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) January 15, 2023
Also, at one point, Samuel Jr. had as many catches (3) from Lawrence as his actual receivers (3). You read that right, don’t worry:
Asante Samuel Jr. has more catches from Trevor Lawrence than any Jaguars player.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) January 15, 2023
What was supposed to be a promising return to the postseason for a young Jaguars team on the rise instead turned into an early outright nightmare for the face of their franchise.
NFL fans roasted Lawrence's turnover-laden playoff debut against the Chargers
Did Trevor Lawrence watch Jake Delhomme highlights before this game
— Kofie (@Kofie) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/36jb63bVdD
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) January 15, 2023
This Trevor Lawrence performance is so terrible that he’s been retroactively drafted by the Jets.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) January 15, 2023
How many interceptions does Trevor Lawrence have in the first half? pic.twitter.com/fanylcSFeG
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence under the playoff lights pic.twitter.com/LlhEGNFo9X
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) January 15, 2023
Trevor lawrence said give me tougher battles lord
— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) January 15, 2023
Did someone try giving Trevor Lawrence a Snickers?
— Tom Grossi (@tomgrossicomedy) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence seeing Doug Pederson walking towards him on the bench pic.twitter.com/MF8WSBRVtr
— 🗣🎙‼️ (@LanceTHESPOKEN) January 15, 2023
Here I was thinking Kyler Murray had an awful Postseason debut.
Trevor Lawrence saying "Hold my Beer".
— Hänsel (@UberHansen) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence is on pace for 24 interceptions in his first playoff start
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) January 15, 2023
Trevor Lawrence against the Chargers tonight: pic.twitter.com/txetaEv0iN
— Brian Y (@byysports) January 15, 2023
Jags fans whenever Trevor Lawrence drops back to pass tonight pic.twitter.com/wYfjgNECVO
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) January 15, 2023
