Here's what Sam Darnold did not have since Tom Brady did it in 2001

It took Sam Darnold on NFL snap – a horrific pick-six – to enter an exclusive club of quarterbacks (Brett Favre and Winston Jameis) who threw pick-sixes on their first NFL passes. It took Sam Darnold one game – a 48-17 bludgeoning of the Lions – to join an exclusive club with a certain future Quarterback Hall of Fame who might end up going down as the greatest quarterback in NFL history.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Darnold became the first quarterback to win his first NFL start by 31 points since Tom Brady beat Peyton Manning and the Colts by 31 points way back in 2001.

Sam Darnold was the first QB to win by 31 points in his first career Tom Brady in Week 3 of 2001 Against the Peyton Manning-led Colts. pic.twitter.com/rgfTD0wady

– ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 11, 2018

In Brady's first start, the Patriots beat the Colts 44-13, but that did not have much to do with Brady, who only went 13 of 23 for 168 yards, no touchdowns, no picks, and a 79.6 pass rating. That was more about the Patriots' defense, which forced four turnovers, including three interceptions of Manning.

More on the NFL

Similarly, the Jets did not win by 24 points on Monday night because Darnold carved up the Lions. Darnold is one of the most successful games in the world, with 16 passes for 198 yards, two touchdowns, that lone pick, and a score of 116.8, but the win was more about the Jets dominating the Lions in every single facet of the game. They picked off Matthew Stafford four times. Their defense and special teams each scored at touchdown. Isaiah Crowell cleared the 100-yard mark despite getting only 10 carries. Darnold was not the reason for the blowout. He played well enough to win, but not enough to warrant a blowout of that magnitude.

Clearly, this does not mean Darnold is the next Brady. It's been one game. That might seem obvious, but I just wanted to say it so badly nobody accuses me using something like this: #QBWinz to justify a Darnold-Brady this early in his career.

But again, let's give Darnold the credit he deserves. He could've collapsed after that pick-six, which really was awful.

But he did not. As our Will Brinson chronicled, "Darnold proceeded to go 6-of-8 on his next three series, 23 total plays that generated 10 total points for the Jets and Gave them the Lead."

I have criticized his first touchdown for being an undertone, which gives the defensive a shot at an interception, but that is probably a bit too nitpicky.

He's clearly got the tools to succeed.

This was my opinion, Darnold's most impressive play against #Lions. So much to like:

Pocket presence, mobility, protection, field awareness, accuracy & arm strength on the move.

This is why the #Jets are excited. Not many QBs – rookie or not – make this play pic.twitter.com/lJ5S8G3hSo

– Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) September 11, 2018

Most importantly, the final scoreline indicated, the Jets might actually have a solid team already in place around Darnold. The offensive line is one of the most influential, and one of the most influential, and one of the most influential. The team around Darnold is just as important as Darnold himself. Young quarterbacks can not do everything by themselves.

On Monday night, Darnold got the help he needed to turn a nightmare start into a perfect debut.