The 2018 NFL Draft created a clear, geographical inflection point between the two New York football teams. The Giants, with an opportunity to reboot their franchise and create a seamle s transition from Eli Manning to the next No. 2 overall quarterback, pa sed on the chance and drafted Saquon Barkley, a running back described as a generational talent by GM Dave Gettleman.But still a running back.The Jets sat there slack-jawed, unable to comprehend how Sam Darnold, the player , landed in their laps at No. 3. This haple s franchise hadn't been able to find a quarterback since Joe Namath strutted up and down Broadway, and here one of the best prospects in recent memory had fallen in their laps.Darnold wasn't a perfect prospect, and there is certainly risk with any quarterback. But with any quarterback over the past few years. More NFL The Giants chose Barkley because they believed he was the best player on the board but also because they believed Barkley could slide into their lineup and, with the additions Chris Tierney Jersey to the offensive line made in the offseason, rejuvenate Eli's career and the Giants offense. The axiom of not drafting a running back high has been proven wrong in rather ironic fashion: Barkley looks incredible, and it's not enough to turn the Giants into contenders. Instead, they added a potential superstar running back and find themselves at 1-5 and hurtling towards another top-five pick. The Giants own a bottom five point differential and are winle s at home, with two humiliating lo ses coming to the Saints and Eagles in high profile games. Owner John Mara is angry, and he should be. This could have been avoided.The Giants now look like the Jets, and the Jets, who eagerly snagged Darnold in the draft, look more like the Giants. Darnold has looked like a rookie at times, but, uh, he's a rookie. And he's playing on a team with some obscure, albeit talented, wide receivers. The offensive line is .But Darnold's game is progre sing quickly. You can see maturity when you watch the Jets beat up on the Colts, with Darnold going through his progre sions in a calm fashion, looking downfield to pick up chunk plays, but being more than willing to take his checkdown option if the deep shot isn't there. He finished that game 24-of-30 (80 percent) with 280 yards, a pair of touchdowns and one interception. He should have had another score, but Robby Anderson dropped a deep pa s Darnold put in the perfect spot. It's easy to harken back to halftime of the Browns game in Week 3, when Baker Mayfield made his electric debut and stole Darnold's early lead in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race as the Browns beat the Jets. But in the three starts each has made since, Darnold has been dramatically better.He's completing 59.3 percent of his pa ses for 645 yards (7 Joonas Donskoi Jersey .5 yards/attempt), six touchdowns and two interceptions. Mayfield is completing 52.3 percent of his pa ses for 875 yards (6.7 yards/attempt), four touchdowns and five interceptions. Mayfield has been asked to throw more -- over 40 times per game! -- but Darnold has been more efficient.Darnold is throwing with anticipation, putting balls into tight windows and giving Jets fans reason to be hopeful for the first time in roughly a decade. This season might not end in a playoff berth and it might not even end with the Jets finishing above .500, but Jets fans should feel secure in believing they landed a franchise quarterback. Put the right pieces around Darnold and let him develop properly, and this could flip the tables on the New York football scene pretty quickly. But, hey, at least the Giants have a productive running back they'll have to give a market-breaking extension to in three or four years. with your complaints, questions and (unlikely) compliments and make sure to check out my NFL podcast, the Pick Six Podcast, .To the rankings:QB Rankings Week 71 Green Bay Packers QB What a freaking way to close out Monday Night Football. Only a few guys can do that.2 Los Angeles Chargers QB Didn't have big stats in the blowout win over the Browns, but Rivers is playing as well as anyone in the NFL right now.3 Drew Brees New Orleans Saints Patrick Marleau Jersey QB Coming off a bye, he's one of the top MVP candidates right now with a big test at Baltimore coming.4 New England Patriots QB Brady did what Brady does often: outduel a young up- David Schlemko Jersey and-comer on his home turf and lead a clutch, game-winning drive for a Patriots win.5 Kansas City Chiefs QB Rough first half in Foxborough but Mahomes lit up the scoreboard. He's probably the top MVP candidate right now and proving himself capable of handling any situation.6 Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts QB If you can name four of Luck's currently healthy receivers off the top of your head, I'll buy you a beer.7 Pittsburgh Steelers QB Hope you got your licks in on the Steelers early, because this team is starting to round into form.8 Atlanta Falcons QB Sure, the Falcons aren't WINNING much, but Ryan is playing lights out right now.9 Los Angeles Rams QB The undefeated Rams are going for their third road win in as many weeks. That would be impre sive.10 Carolina Panthers QB Bad playcalling on the final drive might have cost Cam a better look at a winning touchdown, and D.J. Moore hosed him with some horrible fumbles too.11 Philadelphia Eagles QB Returning to his MVP form from last season as we get to the midpoint of the season.12 Houston Texans QB Getting very worried about Watson's ability to finish the season healthy given all the shots he's taking. A partially collapsed lung??13 Minnesota Vikings QB Cousins is playing lights out right now without an offensive line and a patchwork run game. The Vikings made the right move at quarterback, even if it was an expensive one.14 Seattle Seahawks QB Nice to see Wilson actually cut loose in London, but he Brent Burns Jersey is under an offensive coordinator operated leash right now.15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Do not be surprised if Winston climbs these rankings. He's gonna throw some picks, but he's got a good schedule and a terrible defense. There will be stats put up in a big way.16 Detroit Lions QB Off a bye so maybe some recency bias dropping him a bit -- big time game for the Lions down in Miami this weekend.17 Cincinnati Bengals QB Dalton's gonna get a chance to put up some numbers against the Chiefs defense, but it will come in prime time.18 Chicago Bears QB Not sure how the Bears blew that game against the Dolphins but I don't put it on Trubisky.19 Baltimore Ravens QB Easy day at the office for Flacco against the Titans. He might have to stretch his wings a bit against the Saints this coming week.20 Washington Redskins QB Smith wasn't dominant at all against the Panthers but it was definitely an improvement over his prior week. Ma sive game against the Cowboys.21 Dallas Cowboys QB Hey! Using the re