Jags QB Lawrence creates playoff history with four 1st-half picks

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence became the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to throw four interceptions in the first half of a playoff game. Other players include Gary Danielson of Detroit and Craig Morton of Denver.

Lawrence’s shambolic start Saturday night left Jaguars in a 27-2 hole against Los Angeles Chargers. Evan Engram was able to connect with Lawrence for touchdown just before halftime.

Lawrence completed 10 out of 24 passes for yards of 77 in the first 30 minutes. Lawrence’s passer rating was 24.5. Before the touchdown, it had been 0.0.

Jacksonville turned the ball over a fifth time when a punt hit Chris Claybrook’s helmet, and the Chargers recovered.

Since 1991 when play-by–play data started to be tracked, the Chargers were the third team to have a plus five turnover margin in a playoff half. The Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl over Buffalo on January 31, 1993. The St. Louis Rams won the playoff over Green Bay on January 20, 2002.

Lawrence’s dreadful night started on the second play of the game, when Sebastian Joseph-Day tipped his short pass intended for Christian Kirk. Joey Bosa got a hand on it, too, before it landed in Drue Tranquill’s arms for an interception. Austin Ekeler added two more plays.

Lawrence was only just getting started. His next drive ended in another interception. This one was on a fourth-and-7 play within field-goal distance. Asante Samuel made it the first of three interceptions. He became the first player to have three in a playoff match since Ty Law, New England’s Ty Law, in the AFC championship game victory over Indianapolis on January 18, 2004.

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