Darnold Returns to Same Results
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
As the losses continue to pile up, the New York Jets try to come away with something, anything positive. Gang Green had quarterback Sam Darnold back under center after missing the last two games with a strained throwing shoulder. They did something for the first time this year against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday at MetLife Stadium that they hadn’t done in their first 6 games. They scored first. Darnold moved them 62 yards in 11 plays resulting in a 29-yard Sergio Castillo field goal. Darnold completing 4 passes for 39 yards. The last time both teams played, the Jets defense could not contain Bills quarterback Josh Allen who ran for 57 yards. Although Allen gained 61 yards in this game, the defense did not allow a touchdown.
New York would extend their lead to 10-0 after a Bills fumble. Allen had them on the move getting them down to the Jets 14-yard line. From the shotgun, Allen is sacked by Tarell Basham forcing the fumble which is recovered by John Franklin-Myers. Darnold them gets them into the end zone in 7 plays, 52 yards later as he finds La’ Mical Perine for the 5 yards touchdown pass. Buffalo then began piling up field goals as Tyler Bass kicked the next 6 field goals (after missing his first attempt) from 53, 48, 46, 37, 37 and 29 yards.
New York took a 10-6 lead into the half. Even with head coach Adam Gase giving up the play calling duties to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, the offense vanished in the second half. It is head shaking inconceivable that a professional football team could only gain 4 total yards in the second half. 16 plays resulted in 2 first downs (one by penalty. Darnold finished his day completing only 12 passes on 23 attempts for 120 yards and two interceptions. Buffalo sacked Darnold 6 times as he missed on 7 of 8 passes totaling 4 yards in the final 30 minutes. “They made some good adjustments,” Darnold said. “I think we’ve just got to adjust to their adjustments. We’ve got to beat man coverage and protect. I’ve got to throw accurate footballs and that’s it.”
When questioned about giving up the play calling duties Gase said, “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Just trying to figure out what’s going on, how come we’re not consistent, productive, all the situations you’re looking through every week. I just felt like it was the time to do it and just see how our guys would respond and see what our offensive staff could put together. “It allowed me to take a step back and just really focus on every phase of our organization.”
The New York Jets travel to Kansas City Sunday after the Chiefs (6-1) went to Denver and routed the Broncos 43-16 As of this past Monday, Las Vegas listed the Jets as a 20-point underdog. 0-7 with no end in sight.
