Sam Darnold Threw A Pick Six On His First Career Pass, Then The Jets Did Something Strange

I have been struggling to find the right words about what happened last night. I’ve really never seen anything like it before. I wrote a blog last night yesterday chronicling my expectations for this season. You should click and read it, but to sum it up I just wanted the young core to play well. I didn’t think the Jets were going to do anything special. I wanted Sam Darnold to not suck. I wanted the defense to not suck. And let’s just say things did not start well.

Sam Darnold's first career NFL pass is a pick-6!

(📍 ESPN, 7:10pm ET)pic.twitter.com/MBK8gJaQec

— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2018

I was not in a good place here. I had just sat down at the bar and ordered my beer. I lifted it up to take my first sip and then that happened. I wasn’t angry, I wasn’t upset. I just wanted to set my beer down and go back home. I felt like Stewie Griffin on Opening Day.

“Welcome to week one with the future of your franchise! ANDDDD the opening play is a pick six. Thanks for a great season, folks.”

Shockingly, Twitterdotcom had a field day with this.

Good Lord! The very first play of Sam Darnold’s career, he throws a puck-6 to Diggs. Why the hell are you throwing an ACROSS-THE-FIELD PASS? Jesus! This ain’t USC! Actually, maybe he still thinks it is. Lions 7, Jets 0. #MyGoodness

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 10, 2018

A puck-6. Disgraceful. This ain’t college hockey anymore.

I'll say it again: Sam Darnold was a try-too-hard turnover machine at USC and, 1st play of his NFL career, pick six. Too bad. Predictable.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 10, 2018

Skip was on the right side of history again. He knew exactly what was going to happen on that first pass. Kudos.

But then, a very strange thing happened. What would have been a career-ending play by past Jets quarterbacks was actually the best thing that ever happened to Sam Darnold. He had nowhere to go but up, and up he went.

Sam Darnold's first career TD pass is a DIME! 🔥#NYJvsDET #Jets

📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/ZUDNTVfMe6

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2018

It was a night to remember for No. 14.

Sam Darnold's best throws from #NYJvsDET ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/rQigLVDby0

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 11, 2018

The Jets started playing like I’ve NEVER seen them play before. Sam was lighting it up and the defense was incredible. The Jets had FIVE interceptions.

FIVE INTERCEPTIONS!!!

The monkey is finally off @TheAdamsEra's back. #NYJvsDET pic.twitter.com/vCD6gCb2fY

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 11, 2018

Jamaal Adams, The President of New Jack City, gets his first career pick.

The last #Jets LB to pick off two passes in a game?

Kyle Clifton…in 1990. 😲#NYJvsDET pic.twitter.com/knwTlNdrOX

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 11, 2018

Darron Lee, who we’ve been waiting to play up to potential, had two picks on his own.

The Crow can fly. #NYJvsDET pic.twitter.com/6MYIANmAM3

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 11, 2018

I was more excited about the Isaiah Crowell signing then most. If he could be productive on the Cleveland teams he played for I knew he could be a beast somewhere else. Last night, he was just that. Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell combined for 162 yards and 2 TDs. Everything was perfect. Don’t believe me yet? The Jets had not scored a defensive touchdown in FIVE YEARS until last night…

And for the first time in five years (😬), the #Jets have a defensive touchdown! pic.twitter.com/rjeAWrYKv2

— Conor the Mick (@TheNJMick) September 11, 2018

For the first time in my life I believe the culture has actually shifted in New York.

The Culture has CHANGED!! I've been telling y'all… the Jets are DIFFERENT this year. This is just the beginning! pic.twitter.com/exXeJko1qX

— Jamal Adams (@TheAdamsEra) September 11, 2018

I know it was only one game. But if one more god damn person tells me “haha it’s still the Jets” or “classic Jets fans getting excited over one game” I will punt them to the fucking moon. When your franchise is in an eternal pit of darkness and a ray of sunshine pokes in, you pop your top off and soak in that ray as long as you can, not worrying about what clouds may come. Hopefully the sun will soon come all the way out, but for now I am going to enjoy the win and let this feeling ride.

The Dolphins better be ready next week.

Jet Up.