Sam Darnold has thrown two touchdown passes in his NFL debut as the New York Jets scored 31 unanswered points in the third quarter to ruin Matt Patricia's head-coaching debut and thump the Detroit Lions 48-17.
Darnold, the youngest quarterback starter since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, overcame a pick-6 on his first pass attempt when he elected to roll to his right and throw across the field on his first snap.
The 21-year-old rookie was unruffled by the early setback and completed 16 of 21 passes for 198 yards.
Jets running back Isaiah Crowell gained 102 yards on 10 carries and scored two touchdowns.
New York's defence made five interceptions, including two by Darron Lee, one of which he returned for a score.
Andre Roberts contributed a 78-yard punt return for another touchdown, and Quincy Enunwa caught six passes for 63 yards, including the go-ahead score.
Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford was intercepted four times. He went 27-for-46 for 286 yards and one touchdown. Kenny Golladay racked up 114 yards on seven receptions, and Golden Tate caught seven passes for 79 yards and a TD.
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