made a rookie move
LaDainian Tomlinson Jerseys 2019 , lobbing a football across the field that was picked off and returned for a touchdown.It might’ve been his only mistake
all night.Darnold made a stellar debut after throwing a pick-6 on his first NFL
snap, and the New York Jets intercepted five passes and also scored on special
teams in a 48-17 rout over the Detroit Lions on Monday night.The 21-year-old
Darnold became the youngest quarterback to start a season opener since the 1970
AFL-NFL merger, and looked his age on the first play.“Licking my chops a little
bit too much, I think, on that play,” he saidQuandre Diggs intercepted his
ill-advised pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown 20 seconds into the
game.“On that interception, I was pretty nervous,” Darnold said. “After that, I
put it behind me.”The former USC star, drafted No. 3 overall, shook off the
nerves and finished 16 of 21 for 198 yards and two touchdowns . He is the first
quarterback to win his first start by 31 or more points since Tom Brady in 2001,
per ESPN Stats & Info.“He didn’t flinch,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “He
didn’t even blink.”Darnold helped the Jets set a franchise record for points on
the road, surpassing the 47 they scored in 1967 against the Boston Patriots.He
also outplayed 30-year-old Matthew Stafford.Stafford threw four interceptions —
one shy of his career high — and left the game briefly in the third quarter
after being hit from the front and back by the swarming, hard-hitting Jets.“We
wanted to make sure we came out and made a statement in this game,” New York
linebacker Darron Lee said.Stafford was 27 of 46 for 286 yards and a TD pass to
Golden Tate early in the third quarter to tie it at 17. He was mercifully taken
out midway through the fourth quarter and replaced by Matt Cassel with Detroit
down 31.“Story of the game’s turnovers, you know?” he asked. “We had too many of
them, I had too many of them.”The Jets dominated in all phases.They scored 31
straight in the third quarter to pull away, sending Detroit’s fans for the exits
and setting off a jolly green party in the Motor City. It was the
highest-scoring third quarter in team history and trailed only the 34-point
second quarter the Brett Favre-led team scored in 2008 against Arizona.New York
scored on the ground and through the air, on defense and on a punt return by
former Lion Andre Roberts. The Jets could’ve piled on even more in the final
minutes but turned the ball over on downs after kneeling to take time off the
clock. Darnold flipped the ball to a referee after the final kneel
down
White Curtis Martin Jerseys , and the official gave it right back before shaking the rookie’s hand. Darnold was still holding the ball while talking briefly with
Stafford on the field.Detroit coach Matt Patricia, meanwhile, will want to
forget his debut as an NFL head coach.“We’ve got to coach this a lot better than
what we did,” he said. “We’ve got to go out and execute a lot better on the
field. It’s a team game, and it starts with me.”New NFL head coaches dropped to
0-6 in Week 1, with Oakland’s Jon Gruden the group’s final hope for an opening
victory in the Monday nightcap.ROADIESLate in the game, just before Cassel threw
an interception, hundreds of New York fans chanted: “J-E-T-S, JETS! JETS! JETS!”
A crew clad in green and white filed into seats in four sections along the New
York sideline and appeared to outnumber Detroit fans who stuck around for the
bitter end.“That was awesome to be able to see them doing their thing,” Darnold
said.STREAK STOPPEDThe Jets had played an NFL record 73 games, dating to 2013,
without a defensive TD before Lee returned one of his two interceptions 36 yards
for a score in the third. Trumaine Johnson, Morris Claiborne and Jamal Adams
also picked off passes in a strong start for the Jets self-proclaimed “New Jack
City” secondary.THREE’S COMPANYDarnold joined Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston (2015)
and Brett Favre (1991) as quarterbacks who had their first pass intercepted and
returned for a score.INJURIESJets: CB Johnson (head injury) and CB Buster Skrine
(rib) returned to play after leaving the field with injuries. Johnson was
evaluated after he intercepted a pass and fumbled after taking a hard hit from
Detroit receiver Kenny Golladay.Lions: DE Ezekiel Ansah, who has struggled to
get and stay healthy, left the game with a shoulder after making four tackles,
including a sack. OG T.J. Lang left the game with a back injury. CB Darius Slay
returned to play after leaving the field to be evaluated for a concussion.UP
NEXTJets: Host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.Lions: Visit the San Francisco 49ers
on Sunday. The College Football Playoffs are upon us. We’ve got Notre Dame Vs.
Clemson. If you are looking for it on TV, you can find it on ESPN at 4:00PM EST.
Here are some names to keep an eye on.Edge, Clelin Ferrell, Clemson (#93)Ferrell
is a disciplined, 3 down edge guy. Clelin combines his length
Curtis Martin Jerseys 2019 , speed and technique to rein hell down on o-linemen.Edge, Austin Bryant, Clemson (#7)Austin Bryant looks the part of an
elite edge rush, but then once the ball is snapped, he looks anything but. He
needs to grow in every aspect of the position.Edge, Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
(#42)Okwara has quietly had an extremely disruptive year for Notre Dame. While
sacks might be low (7) he 7th the league in QB pressures (58). In most cases,
this is more of a telling stat for next level production.OT, Mitch Hyatt,
Clemson (#75)Physically Hyatt is an amazing tackle prospect. Technically, he has
improved. There is still some rawness, but he has matured a lot this year and
has only given up 11 pressures all year.C/G, Sam Mustipher, Notre Dame
(#53)Mustipher has had a pretty solid year pass blocking for Ian Book. He has
only given up 11 pressures all season.G, Alex Bars, Notre Dame (#71)Bars was
part of a very good offensive line unit. Alex has a thick base and strong frame
that are great at sealing off big running lanes. He pulls well, but might not
have the athletic ability to make it in an outside zone scheme like ours.WR,
Hunter Renfrow, Clemson (#13)Renfrow won’t by winning any measurables
competitions, but what he brings to the table is an outstanding ability to find
space and catch the ball. This guy has New England written all over
him.WR
White Joe Klecko Jerseys , Miles Boykin, Notre Dame (#81)Boykin is a big bodied receiver that uses his frame well to shield defenders. He has been highly
effective at moving the sticks for Notre dame.RB, Tavien Feaster, Clemson
(#28)Feaster is a North South runner that packs a punch. It’s hard to bring
Tavien down behind the LOS.CB, Julian Love, Notre Dame (#27)Love has the tools
to do well in man coverage, but needs to be a little quick with his recognition
and reaction. This leads to some separation. He does have the quickness to make
up for it though.LB, Kendall Joseph, Clemson (#33)Unlike Lamar, Kendall is a
quick, smooth mover. He has sideline to sideline range. Joseph is also a bit of
a terror when blitzing the passer.LB,Tre Lamar, Clemson (#57)Lamar is very much
an old school LBer. He is physically imposing against the run and filling gaps.
A bit of a liability in coverage.LB, Te’Von Coney, Notre Dame (#4)Coney has been
a beast this year against the run. He is one of the best tacklers coming out
this year. He has been equally as good in coverage. LB, Drue Tranquill, Notre
Dame (#23)While not as efficient against the run as his counterpart Coney, he is
very good in coverage. He is very quick and is able to hang with slot guys and
backs coming out of the backfield.
