After a midseason slump, Darnold has seven touchdown passes and only one interception over the past three games. Each week is a growing experience. After throwing a horrible interception last week against the Washington Redskins, he got mad, not down. He beat himself up as he walked off the field and immediately gathered the offense on the sideline, taking ownership of the mistake and vowing never to do it again. Coaches and teammates were impressed with how he took control. He's usually quiet by nature.
On Sunday, Darnold didn't make any killer mistakes, as he seemed to be cognizant of throwing the ball away and using his legs to get out of trouble. His decision-making, the one thing that sometimes gets him into trouble, was nearly flawless. He's also seeing the field so much better in recent weeks; he connected with nine different receivers on Sunday. He should be able to maintain his mojo against the Bengals and Dolphins, two of the lowest-ranked defenses.
Only one month removed from his "ghosts" game against the New England Patriots, Darnold is playing the best ball of his career, easily the best three-game stretch of his 21 starts. (Mononucleosis? What mono?)
Better pass protection: Darnold was getting hit so much earlier in the season that it affected his mechanics -- i.e., happy feet. The offensive line, which has started six different combinations because of injuries, was a laughingstock. Not anymore.
With only one original starter (left tackle Kelvin Beachum), the line allowed only one sack against the Raiders -- and that was a coverage sack. Think about that for a second: The Jets are playing with four backups on the line, and yet they've managed to solve a major issue. Guards Tom Compton and Alex Lewis, and Harrison in the pivot, have done a nice job off the bench.
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On Sunday, Darnold didn't make any killer mistakes, as he seemed to be cognizant of throwing the ball away and using his legs to get out of trouble. His decision-making, the one thing that sometimes gets him into trouble, was nearly flawless. He's also seeing the field so much better in recent weeks; he connected with nine different receivers on Sunday. He should be able to maintain his mojo against the Bengals and Dolphins, two of the lowest-ranked defenses.
Only one month removed from his "ghosts" game against the New England Patriots, Darnold is playing the best ball of his career, easily the best three-game stretch of his 21 starts. (Mononucleosis? What mono?)
Better pass protection: Darnold was getting hit so much earlier in the season that it affected his mechanics -- i.e., happy feet. The offensive line, which has started six different combinations because of injuries, was a laughingstock. Not anymore.
With only one original starter (left tackle Kelvin Beachum), the line allowed only one sack against the Raiders -- and that was a coverage sack. Think about that for a second: The Jets are playing with four backups on the line, and yet they've managed to solve a major issue. Guards Tom Compton and Alex Lewis, and Harrison in the pivot, have done a nice job off the bench.
Rejuvenated Jets have opportunity to overcome 'sins of the past'
Linebacker Jordan Jenkins says this 4-7 Jets club is a "totally different team, a totally different mentality." Here's why they're relevant again.
