The good news here is it can only go up from here. Because Sam Darnold hit a low point on his first career pass, throwing a pick-six to Quandre Diggs.
It was an awful throw, across his body and to the other side of the field — essentially one of those throws quarterbacks are taught never to make.
On the first play of the game…
Quandre Diggs PICK-6! 🚨 #NYJvsDET #OnePride
📺: ESPN https://t.co/VMaSDvdZXn
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2018
This interception gave the Lions an early 7-0 lead.
Here are some reactions from the peanut gallery.
Ouch. Not how Darnold wanted to start things, but it’s not 1st time that’s happened … Jameis Winston had his first pass intercepted & returned for a TD in 2015. That was the first time a rookie's first throw was returned for a TD since Brett Favre — then with Atlanta — in 1991.
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) September 10, 2018
Positive: #Jets rookie QB Sam Darnold throws touchdown on first career NFL throw
Negative: it was a pick-6 to #Lions— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) September 10, 2018
How Butt Fumbly of Darnold. Such a dirty sanchez play. Off broadway special. pic.twitter.com/D2EoiAfNfS
— Vincent Frank (@VincentFrankNFL) September 10, 2018
#JetsTwitter right now. #nyj #NYJvsDET pic.twitter.com/5Jx6iI8ZnB
— Kristian Dyer (@KristianRDyer) September 10, 2018
Well, there is only one direction to go for Darnold.
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) September 10, 2018
Sam Darnold needs this… pic.twitter.com/00DBzf2cfd
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) September 10, 2018