The New York Jets usher in a new era in the franchise, as they are set to start rookie quarterback Sam Darnold in a Monday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Darnold will be put on an acid test against the Lions’ potent secondary, which will be lurking for interceptions downfield whenever the rookie launches a pass. Detroit has Matthew Stafford to rely on for their offense, but can he avoid getting outplayed by a newcomer?
The future is now for the Jets, as the team is expected to start this year’s No. 3 pick Sam Darnold to start for New York right out of the 2018 NFL season. Darnold was selected in the draft by the Jets, who were impressed of the former USC signal-caller’s combination of arm strength and accuracy. In his last year for the Trojans, Darnold passed for 4,134 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Darnold will have Robby Anderson as his primary target against the Lions. Anderson paced the team last season with 941 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 63 receptions. The Jets, however, will be without wideout Jermaine Kearse because of an abdominal injury. That likely means that Quincy Enunwa, an offseason acquisition, will step in as the No. 2 receiver versus Detroit.
The Jets don’t have an elite running back, but they have the serviceable Bilal Powell, who produced a decent stat line of 772 rushing yards and five rushing scores last year.
Defensively, the Jets get a boost from the arrival of cornerback Trumaine Johnson, who had two interceptions last year for the Los Angeles Rams.
The under is 3-1 in the Jets’ last four games.
Betting on the Detroit Lions (-6.5)
The Lions welcomes the new season with a new coach in the form of former Bill Belichick understudy, Matt Patricia. Patricia will have the prolific Matthew Stafford as his quarterback. Stafford does not need to make much of an adjustment, as the Lions still have Jim Bob Cooter as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Last season, Stafford had 4,446 passing yards and 29 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. Marvin Jones Jr. and Golden Tate remain as Stafford’s top targets, while Kenny Golladay is expected to elevate his game in his second year in the league.
Detroit also signed a new running back in the offseason in LeGarette Blount and added depth in the backfield by drafting Auburn product Kerryon Johnson. Those were necessary moves for the Lions, who finished dead last in the league in 2017 with 76.3 rushing yards per game.
Detroit’s defense has been a focus in the offseason, especially since Patricia was a former defensive coordinator. The team’s secondary is going to be a strength of the team again a season after racking up 19 interceptions – fourth most in the NFL.
The Lions are 3-1 ATS in their last four home games.
