NFL: Sam Darnold Dazzles In Debut
Sam Darnold was selected No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in the most recent NFL Draft. And when he was selected, I'm not sure even the Jets organization believed Week 1 would go this smoothly. Although it didn't get off to a great start, Darnold was able to rebound and help his team blow right past the Detroit Lions. His first career throw was picked by Quandre Diggs and returned for a 36-yard touchdown. Some players might have folded right then and there, but Darnold didn't do so. He did the opposite. The Jets marched down the field and after executing on a pair of third downs, were able to get into the end zone to tie the game 7-7 at the end of the opening period. Then the second quarter started, and they were a bit better.
The Jets moved the ball consistently against a porous Lions defense, and were able to take a 17-10 lead going into the half. At the beginning of the second half, it seemed as though Detroit had finally woken up as Matthew Stafford found Golden Tate in the middle of the field to tie the game up. But in reality, it was just holding off the inevitable. New York was the better team from start to finish and it was only a matter of time before they took off. Darnold took control on the following drive and easily got the Jets a 24-17 lead. And then the Lions simply fell apart. Stafford threw a pick-six on the ensuing drive and then another interception on the following drive. New York scored three touchdowns in less than three minutes to take a 38-17 advantage.
From there on out, Darnold didn't need to do anything spectacular. He just had to take care of the ball and not do anything drastic. He managed the rest of the game to perfection and his debut ended with a kneel in the final minutes. The former USC quarterback threw for 198 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception on 76.2 percent passing in his career opener. That's about as good as anyone could have imagined, as the Jets won going away: 48-17. Stafford played one of the worst games of his entire career, throwing four picks and earning a sad 10.7 QBR to Darnold's 82.9. Quincy Enunwa had a big game for the Jets as well, going for six catches and 62 yards. Darnold and Co. will take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 2, looking to start 2-0.
Photo Credit: The Source.
