Sam Darnold started his NFL career in the same inauspicious way Brett Favre and Jameis Winston did.
He ended the night making one of the best debuts in NFL history as his Jets blew out the Lions, 48-17.
The Jets should be thrilled with the way their rookie first-round quarterback rebounded from getting intercepted on his first NFL pass. When Darnold threw across the field into the anticipating arms of Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs and saw it turn into a pick six in a blink, the scorching reactions came just as fast.
Darnold, who in college amassed too many turnovers while doing everything else well, was being lumped in with fellow former Trojan Mark Sanchez and other reminders of the Jets' long history of highly drafted, highly disappointing QBs not named Joe Namath.
Had the Jets' No. 3 overall pick gone deeper into a hole on an intimidating Monday night stage in Detroit, there would have been real reason to think New York made a big mistake in the draft. Instead, Darnold came back with fearlessness and tapped into a trait all the best veteran QBs have — selective amnesia.
WATCH: Full Jets vs. Lions highlights
Darnold wasn't perfect the rest of the way, but going 16-of-20 for 198 yards and two TDs after throwing the INT and taking two ill-advised sacks was remarkable. He wasn't dinking and dunking, either, as he averaged a whopping 9.4 yards per attempt.
He trusted the Jets' running game and pass protection. His INT eventually was buried as a "highlight," replaced by the laser, 41-yard shot to speed receiver Robby Anderson. Darnold's first career touchdown put his team in control, 17-7, in the second quarter before a 31-point third quarter sealed the game.
The Jets' entire team displayed an energy it hadn't showed for a while. Darnold dropping downfield dimes stunned rookie coach Matt Patricia and the Lions' defense. The Jets took to them with Darnold, and the defense, running game and special teams responded with big plays, too.
The Jets' "New Jack City" secondary made Lions counterpart Matthew Stafford (four interceptions) look more like the rookie.
Darnold didn't go from goat to GOAT in one night. But considering his performance in terms of efficiency in his first game, Darnold (116.8 rating) fit in between two Hall of Fame Jets rivals, the Dolphins' Dan Marino (108.7) and the Bills' Jim Kelly (119.8).
Darnold earned the right to start in Week 1 over journeyman team favorite Josh McCown because he showed good leadership qualities and a feel for defenses beyond his years. Those attributes were more important to getting him on the field early than his obvious arm and athleticism gifts.
Even when Darnold struggled with turnovers at USC, he had the moxie to overcome them and spark comebacks. It's not easy to compensate for mistakes in the NFL, but the ability to get back up and not get rattled is an unteachable quality. Credit coach Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates for not putting their rookie in a conservative shell and trusting him to not be shell-shocked.
WATCH: Darnold discusses INT, aftermath
The Jets should expect Darnold to throw more interceptions in his rookie season. But along with that, they should expect him to move on, learn from his mistakes and get better.
Darnold was accommodating enough to create a joke at his expense early in his Jets career. The team only needs to focus on how well he laughed it off.
