Wild Card Turning Point: Trevor Lawrence Picked Off Near Midfield

The first major momentum swing of the AFC Wild Card clash between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars arrived early — and it went Buffalo’s way.

With Jacksonville driving toward midfield, Trevor Lawrence threw the first interception of the game, picked off by Shaq Thompson. Lawrence was looking for Parker Washington on a quick in-breaking route over the middle, but the throw came slightly behind the receiver. Thompson read it, stepped into the passing lane, and secured the turnover to stop the Jaguars’ early rhythm.

The takeaway came with just over five minutes left in the first quarter, in a game that opened with both defenses setting an aggressive tone. Buffalo gained the advantage in field position and immediately kept pressure on a Jaguars offense still searching for a steady start.

The Wild Card showdown is airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, with fans also tracking updates through NFL platforms. In the playoffs, early mistakes can loom large — and Buffalo wasted no time seizing the moment.

Buffalo and Jacksonville have confirmed their inactive lists for the Wild Card showdown. Here’s who’s out, who’s in, and the matchup impact heading into kickoff.