NFL

Lawrence rallies to lead Jaguars to third biggest playoff comeback win after four first-half picks

By Sports Desk January 14, 2023

Trevor Lawrence threw four interceptions in the first half of his playoff debut before spearheading the third biggest comeback in NFL postseason history as the Jacksonville Jaguars triumphed 31-30 over the Los Angeles Chargers in Saturday's AFC Wild Card Game.

The Jags, competing in the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season, were left stunned in the first half with the TIAA Bank Field crowd silenced, trailing 27-0 after a Chargers' defensive and offensive masterclass.

Lawrence responded to his disastrous start with four touchdown passes, including two in a rousing third-quarter rally, before Riley Patterson's last-second 36-yard field goal to clinch the win.

The Jags QB became the second player in NFL history to have four TD passes and four interceptions in a playoff game, behind Pittsburgh Steelers' QB Ben Roethlisberger in 2020 against the Cleveland Browns.

Regular season leading touchdown scorer Austin Ekeler ran in two TDs, while Justin Herbert connected with Gerald Everett on a TD pass before the home side had even hit the scoreboard.

Asante Samuel Jr, who had two interceptions all season, claimed three in the first half, while the Jags gave up another first-half turnover when Chris Claybrooks muffed a catch from J.K. Scott's punt. Jacksonville became the first team with five turnovers in the first half of postseason game since 1999.

But Lawrence, who completed only 10-of-24 passes for 77 yards in the first half, linked up with Evan Engram (93 yards on seven receptions), Marvin Jones Jr (29 yards on three receptions), Zay Jones (74 yards on eight receptions) and Christian Kirk (78 yards on eight receptions) for TDs, finishing the game on 28-of-47 passing for 288 yards. Lawrence also completed a reach-over two-point play to make it 30-28.

The Jags still trailed 30-28 at the two-minute warning with possession, before Travis Etienne Jr's 25-yard on fourth-and-1 set up Patterson's chip shot with three seconds remaining.

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  • 'It was a good day' - Goff proud of setting new NFL record 'It was a good day' - Goff proud of setting new NFL record

    Jared Goff was proud of making history, as he set an NFL single-game record by completing all 18 of his pass attempts to help the Detroit Lions to victory.

    The Lions beat the previously unbeaten Seattle Seahawks 42-29 on Monday, with Goff eclipsing Hall of Famer Kurt Warner's 10-for-10 performance in 2005, the previous standard for most passes in a game without an incompletion.

    The quarterback threw for 292 yards, including touchdown passes to Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown on his perfect evening, while also hauling in the latter's 7-yard toss for a touchdown in the third quarter.

    That made him the first quarterback with a receiving touchdown since Zach Wilson in 2022, while he also became the first QB in NFL history with 15 or more pass attempts with no incompletions in a game.

    Goff was aware that he was closing in on a perfect game, even if he had doubts at one point.

    "I knew I did it in the first half last week, so I was aware of it then, and I was kind of aware of it today in the middle of the third quarter," he said.

    "I couldn't think of one [incompletion], but then I threw the one out of bounds that ended up being offensive pass interference, and I was like, 'Does that count?' I didn't know if that counted or not.

    "But yeah, it was a good day."

    On his touchdown reception, he added: "No, I think that's my first one, too. Ever.

    "And I'm saying all the way back to 7 years old, I think that's my first one."

    Lions coach Dan Campbell did not realise how impressive Goff's performance had been after the game, choosing to give the game ball to Williams and safety Kerby Joseph for their strong play.

    "I just gave the game ball to somebody else," Campbell laughed. "So, I feel awful right now.

    "I knew he played a heck of a game. I did not realize he was perfect. I did not know he was literally 18 for 18.

    "I thought what really kick-started him was that he had to move a little in the pocket, got spun around and hung with Jamo [Williams] and hit him on the hook for the first down, that was big because he was rolling after that."

  • NFL: Goff perfect as Lions down Seahawks NFL: Goff perfect as Lions down Seahawks

    Jared Goff set an NFL single-game record by completing all 18 of his pass attempts, and caught a touchdown pass as well to lead the Detroit Lions to a 42-29 victory over the previously unbeaten Seattle Seahawks on Monday.

    Goff threw for 292 yards with touchdown passes to Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown on his perfect evening, which eclipsed a 10-for-10 performance from Hall of Famer Kurt Warner in 2005 that had been the NFL's standard for most passes in a game without an incompletion.

    The veteran quarterback was flawless as a receiver as well, as he hauled in St. Brown's 8-yard toss for a touchdown during a back-and-forth third quarter in which both teams scored touchdowns on their two possessions.

    Detroit (3-1) also got two rushing touchdowns from Jahmyr Gibbs, who finished with 78 rushing yards on 14 attempts in the Lions' second straight win.

    Seattle (3-1) was dealt its first loss after starting 3-0 under first-year coach Mike Macdonald despite piling up 516 total yards. Macdonald's defence had trouble coming up with stops, however, as Detroit produced touchdowns on all five of its red-zone trips.

    Kenneth Walker returned from a two-game absence to rush for 80 yards and three touchdowns for Seattle, while Geno Smith threw for 395 yards and a touchdown and DK Metcalf recorded 104 yards on seven receptions.

    The Lions never trailed after building a 14-0 lead with back-to-back touchdown drives, the first a 12-play, 93-yard series capped by David Montgomery's 1-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter.

    After recovering a fumble by Metcalf in Detroit territory which Carlton Davis returned 49 yards to the Seattle 14, Gibbs ended a 3-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter.

    The Seahawks answered with a 10-play, 70-yard sequence culminating in Walker's 1-yard touchdown run with 10:08 to go in the first half, but Goff marched Detroit 70 yards in nine plays on the ensuing possession as the Lions took a 21-7 lead on Gibbs' 1-yard touchdown run with 5:11 left before half-time.

    Seattle closed the gap on the opening drive of the third quarter, which Smith finished with a 9-yard touchdown pass to AJ Barner after the Seahawks converted three times on third or fourth down.

    Montgomery took Goff's short toss 40 yards on the following possession, however, to set up St. Brown's well-thrown touchdown pass to Goff on a trick play that fooled the Seattle defence.

    Smith promptly moved the Seahawks 80 yards in eight plays on their next drive as Seattle pulled to within 28-20 on Walker's second 1-yard TD run of the night. Smith's pass on the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt fell incomplete, however.

    Detroit quickly restored a two-score advantage, though, as Goff hit Williams near midfield on the next play from scrimmage and the speedy wide receiver outran the Seahawks' defenders for a 70-yard touchdown with 2:52 remaining in the third quarter.

    The Seahawks continued to fight back, as Walker brooke lose for a 23-yard run on the following drive before concluding it with a 21-yard touchdown to bring Seattle within 35-27 with 12 seconds elapsed in the fourth quarter.

    Detroit forced a punt on Seattle's next series, however, before Goff fired a 29-yard completion to Tim Patrick and a 30-yard pass to Sam LaPorta before extending the lead to 42-27 with an 8-yard touchdown strike to St. Brown with 5:23 to play.

    Seattle was stopped on downs from the Detroit 3-yard line on its next possession, and Kerby Joseph later sealed the Lions' win by intercepting Smith with a minute left.  The pick came after the Seahawks got two points on a safety when Dre'Mont Jones sacked Goff in the end zone. 

     

    Titans get first win, extend Dolphins' struggles

    The Tennessee Titans rode strong performances from running back Tony Pollard and kicker Nick Folk, as well as a stout defensive effort, to their first win of the season with Monday's 31-12 victory over the punch-less Miami Dolphins.

    Pollard rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries as Tennessee (1-3) prevailed in what turned out to be a battle of backup quarterbacks after the Titans' Will Levis left the contest in the first quarter with a right shoulder injury.

    Mason Rudolph threw for just 85 yards in place of Levis but led seven scoring drives, five of which ended on field goals by Folk that helped give Tennessee's Brian Callahan his first win as an NFL head coach.

    Miami (1-3) generated little offence under Tyler Huntley, the Dolphins' third starting quarterback in three weeks and second since top signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion in a Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills that landed him on injured reserve.

    The Dolphins were held to 184 total yards in their third consecutive loss, with Huntley managing just 96 on 14-of-22 passing. 

    After neither team moved the ball effectively during a scoreless first quarter, Rudolph got the Titans in range for Folk's 53-yard field goal 44 seconds into the second for the game's first points.

    The Dolphins were stopped on 4th-and-1 from the Tennessee 46 on the ensuing possession, with the favourable starting position leading to Folk's 52-yard kick with 8:20 left before half-time.

    Huntley then led Miami on a 10-play, 44-yard drive capped by Jason Sanders' 44-yard field goal to cut the lead to 6-3, but a 27-yard pass from Rudolph to Tyler Boyd late in the first half allowed Tennessee to extend its lead at the break on Folk's 47-yard field goal.

    Sanders knocked home a 56-yard attempt midway through the third quarter before the Titans finally scored the game's first touchdown on the following series.

    After Pollard ripped off a 41-yard run to put Tennessee inside the Miami 10, Tyjae Spears took a direct snap and powered into the end zone from seven yards out for a 16-6 advantage with six minutes left in the third quarter.

    Folk's fourth field goal, a 51-yard boot, increased the margin entering the fourth before the Titans' defence came up with another big stand.

    The Dolphins opted to go for it from 4th-and-1 at their own 39-yard line, but running back Devon Achane was stuffed for a loss and Tennessee turned the stop into Folk's 29-yard field goal and a 22-6 advantage.

    Miami answered with its best drive of the night, an 11-play, 70-yard sequence capped by Huntley's 1-yard touchdown run with 3:36 left that trimmed their deficit to 22-12. The Dolphins failed to convert the resulting 2-point attempt.

    Huntley was called for intentional grounding in the end zone on Miami's next possession, however, to give the Titans two more points on a safety.

    Pollard concluded the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run with 24 seconds left, ending a 4-play drive where the Titans started at the Miami 20 after the Dolphins botched an onside kick attempt following the safety. 

  • Tom Brady comments 'taken out of context', says Baker Mayfield Tom Brady comments 'taken out of context', says Baker Mayfield

    Baker Mayfield said comments he made about Tom Brady were "taken out of context" after he helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 33-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

    The quarterback was a guest on the Casa de Klub podcast with Corey Kluber and Tyler Casagrande last week and spoke about the difference between himself and seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady – who won one of his rings with the Buccs.

    Mayfield suggested that his own style was a little more relaxed than New England Patriots legend Brady, who was back in Tampa as an analyst with Fox Sports and was pictured speaking with Mayfield.

    "The building was a little bit different with Tom in there," Mayfield said on the podcast. 

    "Obviously, playing-wise, Tom is different. He had everybody dialled in, high-strung environment, so I think everybody was pretty stressed out. 

    "They wanted me to come in, be myself, bring the joy back to football, for guys who weren't having as much fun."

    Speaking after leading four touchdown drives in the Buccs' victory over the Eagles, Mayfield sought to clarify his comments about Brady.

    "I think a lot of that got taken out of context, and none of it was personal by any means," said Mayfield. 

    "It's just what he demanded of the guys, and that's the aura of Tom Brady. And that's what he did to bring a championship here.

    "Nothing personal, but yeah, talking before the game, he's obviously happy for me and he knows the guys, so he knows how much I enjoy throwing to Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin] [because] he got to do the same. It's fun to be able to talk about the same experience with a guy like that."

    When speaking about Mayfield's podcast comments, Brady said: "I thought stressful was not having Super Bowl rings. So, there was a mindset of a champion that I took to work every day. This wasn't daycare. If I was going to have fun, I'd go to Disneyland with my kids.

    "There's a way to approach this game and it's with the right mindset to try to push each other outside our comfort zone, and great teammates do that. You come, I have someone like [Rob] Gronkowski, I have someone like Evans –  there's high expectations for us. We got to make sure we go out there and deliver."

    Mayfield took Brady's "daycare" comment in good spirits, saying: " "Like I said, some things got taken out of context. He did it his own way and that's why he has seven rings. So, not much else needs to be said."

    The Buccs are top of the NFC South standings with their victory over the Eagles leaving them 3-1 for the season.

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