Jacksonville Jaguars (4) – Los Angeles Chargers (5): 31-30
Unbelievable ! Led by 27 points in the match and then by 20 points at halftime, the Jaguars did not give up and came back from hell to win with a field goal at the last second (31-30)!
The duo Doug Pederson – Trevor Lawrence therefore won their first playoff match together. An unexpected victory for a time and which also owes a lot to the multiple cracks of the Chargers, however “perfect” in the first half.
The key moment: 4th quarter, 4&1
If the Jaguars’ comeback was gradual throughout the second half, it’s hard not to mention this 4&1 on the Chargers’ 41 yards with 1 minute and 27 seconds remaining.
Doug Pederson calls a very good time out just before the action and chooses an even more daring game. Rather than going on a full center run as the training might suggest, the coach called an outside run for his runner Travis Etienne. Result, a gain of 25 yards which puts his team in a position to type, and succeed, the field goal of victory. The culmination of stunning coaching from the Jaguars coach.
Inevitably, and even without knowing it, Pederson’s halftime speech to his players and to Lawrence was undoubtedly a key moment.
The movie of the game
Terrible start for the Jags and Trevor Lawrence (28/47, 288 yards, 4TD, 4INT). On the second action of the match, the quarterback saw his pass deflected by Joey Bosa and intercepted by Due Tranquill. The Chargers then leave from 18 yards from the Jaguars and it only takes one race for Austin Ekeler (13 races, 35 yards, 2TD) to cover 13 yards and score the first touchdown of the game (0-7).
The locals continue their complicated start when on the 2nd series, and while they are in a field goal position, they decide to try a 4&7 on which Lawrence is again intercepted. This time, Los Angeles starts a little further (its 39 yards) but manages to advance enough to add a field goal (0-10).
After an exchange of punt, Lawrence is again intercepted on an unsteady pass. 3rd interceptions in 4 drive for the pitcher! The Chargers then leave from 16 opposing yards and again punish their hosts with Ekeler who transforms his run into a touchdown for 17-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Again well advanced on the ground, on the next drive, Justin Herbert (25/43, 273 yards, 1TD) distributes the leather perfectly and uses 6 minutes on the clock to bring up 62 yards to his own. On his last pass, he finds Gerald Everett (6rec, 109, 1TD) for the reception and the touchdown of 24 to 0.
Lawrence continues his sinking with a new pass intercepted by Asante Samuel Jr, his third of the evening!
For once the turnover is not improved with Chargers who punt. Except that on the punt, the returner of the Jaguars makes a mistake and the special team of Los Angeles recovers in the 15 opposing. However the Chargers miss the opportunity to put the last nail in the coffin of Jacksonville and settle for a field goal (0-27).
Jacksonville and Lawrence raised their heads just before halftime when the quarterback concluded a nice series by finding Evan Engram (7rec, 93 yards, 1TD) in the endzone for the touchdown (7-27) 24 seconds from mid- time.
Back from the locker room, the Jaguars are riding on their good momentum by stopping the Chargers then adding points after Lawrence connects with Kirk in the endzone. Jacksonville then returns to 14-27 and regains some momentum.
Los Angeles thinks to “calm” things down by scoring a field goal just after (14-30) but the locals are overexcited and respond on the following series with a superb 39-yard pass for Zay Jones completely lonely in the endzone for a reception and an easy touchdown (20-30, missed 2-point conversion). Jacksonville can still believe it!
A feeling reinforced when on the following drives the spectators see in quick succession the Chargers miss a field goal from 40 yards and especially the local attack continue its fantastic comeback. In a few passes Jacksonville finds himself in a position to score and Kirk receives a new touchdown! Behind Lawrence convert himself to two points to bring his team to -2 (28-30)!
Behind, it’s a moment of madness as the NFL knows how to offer us: the defense stops Herbert one last time. The attack managed a decisive 4&1, lowered the clock and scored the winning field goal at the last second (31-30).
The MVP: Doug Pederson – Trevor Lawrence
Long in the category below, Trevor Lawrence deserves a mention in this category. If his first half was disastrous (4 interceptions), the quarterback showed incredible composure not to sink at intermission and come back with the will to win in the second half.
Result ? 4 touchdowns launched for a victory over the gong which will remain in the legend of his franchise. If his game can still leave something to be desired, his sense of winning is undeniable.
Mention also to Doug Pederson who for his first season in Jacksonville won a playoff game. Above all, the coach showed the leadership qualities that allowed him to lead the Eagles to the title. The future is bright in Florida.
The flop: Brandon Staley
How not to name it? While his team began to gradually crack, the coach was unable to find the words and / or adjustments to revive his players. Not helped by a few failures of his players (a few passes from Herbert, the debility of Joey Bosa or the missed field goal of his kicker), Staley again showed some of the shortcomings pointed out by his detractors.
Worse, by calling a (missed) field goal to go from a +10 to a potential +13 in score rather than attempting a 4&3 on Jacksonville’s 22 to calm the home side’s ardor, Staley also disappointed his few remaining supporters. . A defeat and a scenario that could well cost him dearly.
The stat: +5
+5 as the number of ball losses in favor of the Chargers. 4 interceptions and 1 fumble caused by the defense and the special team and no loss of ball in attack. And yet, despite this ratio supposed to offer the victory, the Chargers lost.
Unsurprisingly, this is the first in playoff history that a team with a +5 in turnover has lost the game. The Chargers continue to push the boundaries of the paranormal.
The following
With this victory, the Jaguars will face the ogre Chiefs. A move that promises to be very complicated against Kansas City, the reigning AFC quadruple finalist, but with a good Trevor Lawrence, an opportunistic defense and an inspired coach like this evening, why not?
For Los Angeles, the defeat could well leave traces whether in the minds or even on the sidelines…
