NFL Wild-Card Game Recap: Jacksonville Jaguars 31, Los Angeles Chargers 30

A comeback for the ages.

The Jacksonville Jaguars fell behind 27-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers late in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card round. They then stormed back to win 31-30 on a game-winning field goal with no time left. It was the third-largest comeback in NFL postseason history.

Largest comebacks in NFL playoff history

As for the Jaguars’ opponent in the divisional round, that depends on what happens in the Buffalo Bills–Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals–Baltimore Ravens games tomorrow. Here are the scenarios:

• If the Bills and Bengals win, the Jaguars are on the road to face the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs. 
• If the Bills and Ravens win, the Jaguars face the Bills in Buffalo.
• If the Dolphins and Bengals win, the Jaguars face the Bengals in Cincinnati.
• If the Dolphins and Ravens win, the Jaguars host the Ravens.

Offensive Spotlight: No player personified the phrase, “A tale of two halves” more than Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The second-year quarterback was absolutely atrocious in the first half, throwing four interceptions and earning a 24.5 passer rating.

He was absolutely surgical in the second half, throwing three touchdowns, no interceptions with a 144.5 passer rating. 

Trevor Lawrence in the first half:
😬 10-24
😬 77 yards
😬 1 touchdown-4 interceptions
😬 24.5 passer rating

Trevor Lawrence in the second half:
🔥 18-23
🔥 211 yards
🔥 3 touchdowns-0 interceptions
🔥 144.5 passer rating pic.twitter.com/F5LiOx3nPI

— PFF (@PFF) January 15, 2023

Defensive Spotlight: Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. had an all-time performance in his playoff debut. The second-year corner picked off Lawrence three times while also forcing an incompletion. His three interceptions fell one short of the NFL postseason record set by Vernon Perry in 1979. It’s also the first time since the 2003 season and ninth instance ever that a player had three interceptions in a playoff game.

Rookie Spotlight: Jamaree Salyer has really impressed while filling in for the injured Rashawn Slater at left tackle. The sixth-rounder from Georgia currently has a 74.4 grade on first review, which would be the second-best mark of his career so far. On 27 pass-blocking snaps, Salyer only allowed one pressure. 

Offensive Line Spotlight: The Jaguars did a decent job of protecting Lawrence Saturday night. Jacksonville only allowed one sack and one hit on 52 pass-blocking snaps. Lawrence’s blindside was specially protected as left tackle Walker Little, left guard Tyler Shatley and center Luke Fortner only allowed one pressure each on the night.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

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