Fourth Quarter
Second and seven, Jets 8: Darnold is under center with Dmitri Flowers and Cannon lined up offset behind him. He fakes the ball to Cannon and hits Flowers who is running a quick out to the right side.
Darnold takes what the defense gives him, and he gains three yards setting up a third and short.
Third and four, Jets 11: The Jets line up five wide, three to the right and two to the left. Trenton Cannon is set up to the outside on the left.
At the snap, Cannon runs a “go” and blows by his defender. Man, can he fly! He has beaten the defender by a couple of steps.
Unfortunately when Darnold lets the pass go, he puts it to the outside where his guy can get it. Cannon just forgot to go get it. It seemed as if he wasn’t aware that the ball was in the air so it fell incomplete.
Second and five, Falcons 47: Darnold is under center with two backs in the offset I. The Falcons bring pressure but the pocket holds up for the young rookie.
He stands in and finds ArDarius Stewart coming across the field from right to left. His pass is a little bit high but does hit Stewart in the hands. He isn’t able to come down with it so it falls incomplete.
Third and five, Falcons 47: The Jets are three-wide with Darnold in the shotgun.
The Jets got outmanned on this one. The Falcons brought a linebacker blitz up the middle and the pocket falls apart. Darnold wisely protects the football and takes a sack.
Good job by Darnold not trying to make a throw that would have been up for grabs.
Third and eleven, Falcons 42, 3:28 left: On his final dropback, Darnold is under center with two receivers to either side. Atkinson is straight back behind his quarterback.
At the snap he runs a beautiful play fake to Atkinson, getting the entire defense rolling to his right. Darnold takes the ball on a designed roll out to the left.
He gets his body turned around and hits Andre Roberts coming across the field with him. He picks up 13 and converts the first down on third and long.
There is no reason to be anything but pleased with Darnold’s Friday night debut. We should all be looking forward to the game against the Redskins.