New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions 2018: Monday Night Football Prediction, Betting Odds For Week 1

Only one rookie quarterback will start in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season, and the entire football world will be watching when he does. The New York Jets will visit the Detroit Lions in the first part of the “Monday Night Football” double-header as Sam Darnold becomes the youngest signal caller to ever start a season opener.

Darnold won the starting job with an impressive preseason. While he had some bumps along the way, the 21-year-old was more than competent. The USC product went 13-18 for 96 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in his pro debut, making New York’s decision a fairly easy one.

The Jets are all in on Darnold. New York gave up three second-round picks and the No.6 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to move up to No.3 overall and select Darnold. Teddy Bridgewater looked like he might be better than half of the league’s starting quarterbacks with the way he performed in the preseason, and the Jets shipped him off to New Orleans before their final exhibition contest.

There are high hopes for Darnold’s future, though it’s unknown how he’ll perform in his first NFL season. He’ll get a decent test to start when he visits a team that’s put together two straight winning seasons.

Detroit went 9-7 in both 2016 and 2017. They replaced Jim Caldwell with first-time head coach Matt Patricia. Patricia is very familiar with the Jets, having spent the last six seasons as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.

Patricia’s toughest job will be improving a defense that ranked 24th in opponents’ yards per play last season. The Jets were ahead of the Lions at 20th in the league. Detroit relied largely on its ability to move the ball through the air to finish over .500.

Matthew Stafford has been among the league’s most consistent quarterbacks in recent years. He led the NFC with 4,446 passing yards a season ago and ranked sixth overall with a 99.3 passer rating. Stafford, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger are the only signal callers that have posted passer ratings of 93.0 or better in each of the last three years.

Playing at home with a proven quarterback, Detroit is favored by 6.5 points, according to the latest betting odds at OddsShark. The over/under is 45.

New York’s defense wasn’t very good in 2017. It could be a little better this season if players like safety Jamal Adams continue to develop.

In a matchup that’s likely to feature a pair of mediocre defenses, the quarterbacks could ultimately decide the outcome. Detroit essentially knows what it’s getting out of Stafford. What will New York get from Darnold? Will the rookie stumble on the road in the national spotlight or will he rise to the occasion?

Darnold has a penchant for making mistakes. He might throw an interception or two in his first start, but the quarterback has the tools to also make some big plays if he’s given some time in the pocket.

“For a young quarterback, a lot of times those guys tend to take a look at their first read and then peek at the rush,” Patricia said, according to The New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta. “This guy really feels it. He understands the pocket and he can keep his eyes downfield. He’s finding guys in those situations.”

The Lions were 20th with 35 sacks a year ago. The Jets don’t have a great offensive line, but it has a chance to exceed expectations. Look for a good showing from Darnold, who can keep the Jets within striking distance for most of his regular-season debut.

New York tends to overachieve in season openers. They lost to the Buffalo Bills by nine points last season in a competitive game when they were expected to be the league’s worst team. From 2008-2016, the Jets never lost a Week 1 matchup by more than a point.

Prediction: Detroit over New York, 24-23