Darnold, team excel in season-opening blowout.
As the 4th Quarter was winding down, chants of “J-E-T-S JETS! JETS!! JETS!!!” permeated a now-hollow Ford Field. Most of the Lions faithful had either departed or sat in disbelief.
New York had just dismantled the Lions, 48-17, in a game that had an ill-fated beginning for Gang Green. Darnold’s welcome to the NFL involved a pick-6 by the Lions’ Quandre Diggs. It was only 20 seconds into the game and the Jets were down 7-0.
When the Jets were forced to punt on the next drive–after Darnold was sacked on 3rd down for an 8-yard loss–I thought, “Whew! HERE WE GO AGAIN!”
But that outcome was not to be.
Darnold and his Jets exceeded all expectations–winning via a come-from-behind blowout.
NY built up a 17-7 lead on an Isaiah Crowell TD run and an impressive 41-yard TD toss from Darnold to Robbie Anderson. Yeah, the Lions tied the game, 17-17, on consecutive drives as Matthew Stafford masterfully picked apart the Jets’ secondary. But the Lions never roared again.
Darnold led the Jets down the field and, in just six plays, capped off a drive with a 21-yd TD strike to Quincy Enunwa. That made it 24-17 and the Jets racked up another 24 points to get the blowout victory.
Courtesy: New York Times
Darnold was great (15-20, 198 yards, 2 TD passes, QBR of 116.8, 7th in the NFL) and the Jets got contributions from up and down the squad. Crowell rushed for 102 yards on just 10 carries. On special teams, Andre Roberts turned in a crafty 78-yard punt return.
The Jets defense was outstanding, too. Five INTs! Two were picked off by LB Darren Lee, who ran one back 36 yards for a TD. The Jets harassed Stafford, putting several bruising hits on the All-Pro QB. And the NY’s run defense only allowed 39 yards on the night.
The Jets ushered in ‘The Darnold Era’ with a bang!
What remains to be seen is whether this win will be a springboard to sustained team success. Miami is up next in the Jets’ Sunday home opener.
I can hear the crowd already
J-E-T-S J-E-T-S! J-E-T-S!! J-E-T-S!!!
