One win isn’t big, but better than more of the same
One win will not erase the ugliness of a six-game losing streak that sent a promising season spiraling into a nightmare. But for the New York Jets, it certainly beats the alternative.
Especially when it was rookie quarterback Sam Darnold’s most encouraging performance, resulting in a 4-9 record heading into Saturday’s home game against the Houston Texans.
Yes, it hurt their draft position as the Jets are now fifth, but it cannot erase the feelings of relief and jubilation from getting a win for the first time in two months, especially after numerous ugly moments.
“We (were) on another level now,” Jets safety Jamal Adams said. “We were in here partying now. We finally got a win. It was just great to have that feeling back.”
Especially for how it happened with two dazzling throws by Darnold, who was making news in recent weeks due to the condition of his sprained right foot.
On third-and-5 from the 7, Darnold rolled right, eluded defensive tackle Kyle Williams diving at his feet. He then reversed course, went to his left and delivered a perfect strike to Robby Anderson at the back of the end zone to tie the game.
Then he did it again when the Jets were down by a field goal. He executed a 37-yard pass down the right sideline to Anderson and then Elijah McGuire scored on fourth-and-1 and the Jets had their coveted win delivered by the quarterback they hope changes their franchise at some point.
“With Sam Darnold, (the future), is as bright as the summer sun,” Anderson said.
Now comes the hard part, delivering a follow-up for the home fans, who watched the Jets score 17 against Minnesota, 10 in a 31-point loss to Buffalo and 13 to New England.
It won’t be a matchup of two losing teams but one against a team who remains one of the league’s hottest outfits despite losing last week.
The Jets were officially eliminated from the playoffs but now they can cite Darnold’s electrifying performance in the fourth quarter as a sign of hope.
On the drive, Darnold completed 3-of-5 passes for 43 yards. It resulted in the Jets first game-winning touchdown on fourth down in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter since 1998 when quarterback Vinny Testaverde ran one in from five yards out with 27 seconds remaining against Seattle on Dec. 6, 1998.
“As a kid, you dream of converting two-minute drives and going down there and scoring,” Darnold said. “To be able to score a touchdown and put the ball in their hands at the end of the game was awesome.”
It’s a long way before the Jets will reach 12-4 as they did during the 1998 season but perhaps someday the Jets will look back upon Darnold’s first game-winning drive in the two-minute offense as a start of something big.
“The kid has great creativity,” Jets head coach Todd Bowles said. “We knew he was good on the scramble, good on the run. He’s starting to be himself, and we want him to be himself.”
For now, they’ll concentrate on following it up and spoiling things for the Texans.
SERIES HISTORY: 8th regular-season meeting. Jets lead series, 5-2. The Jets won the first five meetings until a 23-17 home loss on Oct. 8, 2012 followed by a 24-17 loss at Houston on Nov. 22, 2015. The only remaining players on New York’s active roster from the 2015 meeting are WR Quincy Enunwa, DE Leonard Williams and CB Buster Skrine.
