Week 1 Player of the Game is Sam Darnold

The New York Jets opened the season with a 48-17 rout against the Detroit Lions in the Motor City. This week’s player of the game is quarterback Sam Darnold.

The New York Jets opened up the regular season with a 48-17 rout against the Detroit Lions in the Motor City on Monday night. It was a total team effort as the offense, defense, and special teams all made plays as the Jets ran away with the game in the second half. In the third quarter alone, the Jets scored 31 points. Isaiah Crowell’s 62-yard touchdown run, Darron Lee’s pick-six, and Andre Roberts punt return highlighted the third quarter scoring for the Jets.

There were a number of candidates who were worthy of the game honors but there was only one clear choice, quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold had a nightmare start as his first pass attempt was a pick-six by the Lions. It was his “Welcome to the NFL” moment. However, Darnold brushed himself off and settled in as the game moved along.

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The rookie signal caller finished 16-of-21, 198 yards, two touchdowns, and the lone pick-six interception. Darnold dialed up a deep ball for his first NFL touchdown pass as Robby Anderson hauled in a 41-yard pass in the second quarter.

Darnold’s second touchdown went to Quincy Enunwa in the third quarter. Enunwa was Darnold’s go-to receiver in this game, catching six for 63 yards and the touchdown.

The running game also relieved the pressure off of Darnold in the season opener. Crowell and Bilal Powell combined for 162 yards and two touchdowns, both by Crowell.

After the win, Darnold stressed that it took all three phases to win and that they are taking the season one game at a time. Darnold spoke with reporters after the game and here is what he had to say according to NewYorkJets.com Senior Reporter Eric Allen:

Hey, man, that was fun,” Darnold said. “It was a full team effort, which was the really good thing about it. We talk about that all the time, one team, one goal, and it really was one team tonight. The defense had all those picks, Andre [Roberts] getting that punt return, and our offensive line took control from the start.”

This was an excellent start to the season for the Jets in all three phases. If the team keeps playing like this, they could indeed end their seven-year playoff drought. Darnold and the Jets will return to MetLife Stadium in Week 2 for their home opener against the Miami Dolphins.