New York Jets: 5 Bold predictions for the 2018 regular season

4. A ‘perfect game’ for Sam Darnold

Unlike the MLB perfect game, this perfect game isn’t necessarily a clean score card for the quarterback. The passer rating takes into account completion percentage, touchdown percentage, interception percentage, and yards per attempt to quantify how well a quarterback did in totality for the game.

In the history of the Jets franchise four quarterbacks have finished a game with a 158.3 passer rating (dubbed a perfect game because that is the highest possible passer rating). The Jets quarterbacks to achieve the feat are Joe Namath, Ken O’Brien (twice; one of seven quarterbacks do achieve it more than once), Chad Pennington and (drum-roll please) Geno Smith.

In the history of the NFL only three rookies have had a 158.3 passer rating. Drew Bledsoe set what was the NFL record at the time by recording said passer rating in his 12th game (11th start). Robert Griffin III recorded a perfect game in his 10th game and 10th start, and Marcus Mariota was the first — and still only — quarterback to debut with a 158.3 passer rating.

Darnold is noted for his accuracy on all levels on the field, and he has shown an aptitude very few rookies. He seems to be wise beyond his years, and that’s why he will become the 55th quarterback to record a perfect game and also the fourth rookie. In doing so, he will also break Mariota’s record for youngest ever to achieve the feat.