Sam Darnold was named the New York Jets’ starting quarterback after a very impressive preseason. The USC product showed off all the skills that made him the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
On Monday night, Darnold’s first regular-season NFL game came, and he got off to the worst possible start. Well, I guess the *worst* possible start would probably include an injury, and that didn’t happen, at least. But Darnold threw a pick-six on literally the first play from scrimmage against the Lions:
That was a great play by Detroit cornerback Quandre Diggs, and one that Darnold definitely isn’t used to being made at the college level.
But turnovers were already the biggest concern with Darnold, after he had 22 interceptions and 21 fumbles in 27 college starts. So, his first career NFL play certainly won’t squash those doubts.
Darnold looked much better on the second drive, leading the Lions to a touchdown to tie the game 7-7. And Matt Stafford quickly showed that veteran quarterbacks throw interceptions too (before Stafford even completed a pass as well):
Matthew Stafford was held to 0 passing yards in the first quarter of a start for the first time in his career.
The Lions posted negative yardage in the first quarter for the first time since Week 7 in 2011. pic.twitter.com/bJpmYEgd4H
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 11, 2018
[ESPN]
