EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. _ Sam Darnold entered the game in the second quarter to a loud ovation and it didn't take long for him to really give the MetLife Stadium crowd something to cheer.
On his second series of his NFL debut, the rookie quarterback showed what all the hype is about and why everyone in the organization hopes the Jets have found their franchise savior. Darnold led a 64-yard drive that resulted in his first NFL touchdown pass.
Darnold was flushed out of the pocket on third-and-goal from the 14. He rolled right and fired a 14-yard bullet to Charles Johnson for the score with 52 seconds left in the first half of the Jets' 17-0 preseason victory over the Falcons Friday night.
The No. 3 pick finished the night 13-for-18 for 96 yards and a touchdown. Darnold, who wore a glove on his left hand after hurting his non-throwing hand on his first series, was 4-for-7 with 22 yards in the second half. But the Jets kept the ball on the ground.
It's only one preseason game, but Darnold officially began making his case to be the Jets' opening-night starting quarterback Sept. 10 in Detroit. He's got three more games to prove whether he deserves it.
Josh McCown is the incumbent and Teddy Bridgewater was sharp and led the Jets on two scoring drives in his only two series running the team. But Darnold showed the mobility, vision and poise that has everyone involved with the Green and White excited about the future.
In his lone scoring drive, Darnold completed six straight passes, including a big-time throw across the field to tight end Clive Walford for an 18-yard gain. Darnold should have completed seven in a row but Johnson dropped an easy touchdown grab.
Two plays later, Darnold found Johnson for a touchdown, but he was called for offensive pass interference for pushing off. The third time proved to be the charm for Darnold and Johnson.
The next test for Darnold and this legit quarterback competition is Thursday's preseason game against Washington after some joint practices with the Redskins.
If coach Todd Bowles follows his blueprint from last year, McCown won't play Thursday and Bridgewater and Darnold will get the bulk of the reps. McCown only played three series last preseason and won the starting job over Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg.
Just like in last year's preseason opener, McCown started and played just one series. He completed one pass for four yards.
Bridgewater was effective and efficient in his Jets debut. He went 7-for-8 with 85 yards and a touchdown.
On his first series, Bridgewater connected with Isaiah Crowell for a 16-yard score. Crowell did most of the work, catching a short pass and turning it into a touchdown after taking a big hit near the goal line. But Crowell left the game and was evaluated for a concussion.
Bridgewater's second drive ended with undrafted rookie Taylor Bertolet drilling a 45-yard field goal that gave the Jets a 10-0 lead.
