With Trevor Lawrence out of the picture, Sam Darnold continues to defend the Jets by keeping him as quarterback in 2021.
Darnold played a fair, if not spectacular, game in the 23-16 victory over the Browns on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Darnold did not turn the ball for the third game in a row. This is the longest period in Darnold’s career without rotation.
“In terms of not turning the ball and playing consistently that way, I thought I played well,” said Darnold. “Obviously, I thought there were some decisions, maybe not making some of the pitches that I could have done. Looking at the tape, though, I think there will be some decisions that I will want back or maybe play in my first reading and not get out of it. There are some things like that, but in general, I’m happy not to turn the ball and score when it was necessary. “
Darnold made 16 of 32, passing for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball seven times for 20 yards, carrying Browns linebacker Malcolm Smith in one play.
The 23-year-old had to deal with speculation about the Jets taking the No. 1 pick and Lawrence, the star of Clemson, throughout the season. Now, however, the Jets are stuck in choice # 2 and Lawrence appears to be on his way to the Jaguars, who secured choice # 1 with their defeat on Sunday and the victory of the Jets.
“It is what it is,” said Darnold. “With the season going the way it is, there will be that conversation about choice number one or anything you can imagine, so for me, I’ve been doing a good job of shutting it down and going to work every week, and that goes for our entire team. I feel like all the guys in the locker room have really dropped their heads and gone to work every week so far, and again, we’re just looking to end this against a good Pats team. “
TE Chris Herndon had four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. It was his biggest catch since Week 1 in Buffalo, when he was six. The Jets needed Herndon’s production with the other tight end Ryan Griffin on the reserve / COVID-19 list.
“I just feel like I’m stuck today, especially with Ryan Griffin, unfortunately, not being here,” said Herndon. “I knew that someone would have to perform and play an extra role. I feel like I did it today and at a high level for my team ”.
RB Frank Gore has 16,000 race yards in his career after winning 48 on Sunday. He is the third player in NFL history to reach that milestone, joining Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. Gore left the game in the second half with a chest injury. … RG Josh Andrews left the game with a groin injury. … The Jets finished 1-7 at home this season.