Darnold pilots Jets blow out in Detroit
After a brutal start — a pick-6 on his first NFL pass — rookie quarterback Sam Darnold demonstrated the poise for which he was drafted.
Instead of imploding, he rallied and finished the game completing 16 of 21 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns to lead the New York Jets to a 48-17 rout of the Lions in the first Monday night game at Ford Field in Detroit.
Matthew Stafford, on the other hand, went 27 of 46 for 286 yards one touchdown and four interceptions. He also was briefly knocked out of the game.
Isaiah Crowell led the Jets ground game with 10 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yard breakaway for a score.
The Jets also scored their first defensive touchdown in 74 games, ending the longest drought in the NFL.
Darron Lee returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown. The previous Lions defensive score was a pick-6 by Antonio Allen in 2013, against Tom Brady.
Packers
Coach Mike McCarthy said he needs more information on the extent of Aaron Rodgers’ knee injury to determine the quarterback’s availability for next week’s game against Minnesota. Rodgers was sore when the team returned Monday to Lambeau Field, McCarthy said. The Packers reviewed the thrilling 24-23 win against the Chicago Bears, in which Rodgers threw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter after returning from an injury. The Packers return to the practice field Wednesday, when the first injury report for Week 2 is due.
Titans
Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker will have surgery on his right ankle in the next few days, and Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel said the Titans will decide if the veteran might be able to return later this season. The Titans placed Walker on injured reserve Monday and signed tight end MyCole Pruitt off of Houston’s practice squad.
Panthers
Tight end Greg Olsen spent the second half of a game Sunday against Dallas watching from the sideline on crutches with his right foot in a boot — the same foot he fractured in 2017 causing him to miss nine games. Panthers coach Ron Rivera and general manager Marty Hurney offered no immediate updates.