Sam Darnold Dominates, New York Jets Down Detroit Lions

The New York Jets drafted quarterback Sam Darnold with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. There were high expectations for the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USC. Throughout training camp, he was battling veterans Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. 

In the team’s first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Darnold went 13 of 18 for 96 yards and threw a touchdown. Darnold struggled against the Washington Redskins, throwing for just 62 and an interception. 

He looked like he bounced back against the New York Giants in their third preseason game, throwing for 86 yards and a touchdown with a passer rating of 87. The Jets traded Bridgewater to the New Orleans Saints, which spelled that Darnold would be the starter Week 1.

Darnold made his NFL debut against the Detroit Lions on Monday night. The game was played at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. He didn’t get off to the best of starts, throwing a pick-six on his very first NFL pass. He would finish the first quarter 6 of 9 passing for 50 yards. The Jets and Lions would be tied at 7 at the end of one. 

The Jets would add a field goal to kick off the second quarter to take a 10-7 lead. After more than 10 minutes of turnovers and punts, Darnold threw a 41 yard touchdown down the left sideline to Robby Anderson, his first career NFL touchdown, rto give the Jets a 17-7 lead. Matt Prater added a short field goal at the end of the half for Detroit to make it a 17-10 halftime score.  

The Jets, and Darnold, dominated the third quarter, scoring 21 points in two minutes and 26 seconds. Darnold would toss his second touchdown of the game. The Jets would end up with 31 points in the third quarter and a commanding 38-17 lead. 

The route would continue into the fourth as the Jets went on to win by a final score of 48-17. Darnold finished 16 of 21 passing  for 198 yards, two touchdowns and the pick-six. The Jets will travel back home to take on the Miami Dolphins next Sunday.