Week One NFL Pick: New York Jets at Detroit Lions
Rookie QB Versus Rookie Head Coach
The New York Jets and Detroit Lions will battle at 7:05 p.m. E.T. tonight, Sep 10, in the first Monday Night Football game for 2018. There are two games tonight with the second one featuring the Los Angeles Rams at the Oakland Raiders. That game time is 10:20 p.m. E.T. In the preseason both the Jets and Lions were 1-3. The NY D was tough, but their offense underperformed. On the other hand, the Lion defense was porous, while their offense did a decent job of putting points on the scoreboard. Our Week One New York plays Detroit NFL pick has the Lions at anywhere from 6.5 to 7.5 points. The over/under is 44.0.
New York Offense at Lions Defense
It was announced today that rookie QB Sam Darnold will start for the Jets. Darnold was the number three overall pick in this year’s draft and beat out Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater for the number one spot. Not only do the Jets have a new QB, but they also have a new offensive coordinator and scheme. The rush attack will be led by Isaiah Crowell and Bilal Powell. Over the past two seasons, Crowell started 32 games for the Cleveland Browns. He big and powerful. Powell brings some refined moves to the field. The WRs include Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor, and Quincy Enunwa. Last season, Anderson excelled as he crossed the goal line seven times and caught passes for a total of 941 yards.
Detroit defensive end Ziggy Ansah, who notched 12.0 sacks last season, will be looking to give Darnold a special NFL welcome. The Lions secondary is the best unit on this side of the ball. Darius Slay, at corner, led the NFL in interceptions with eight and was a Pro Bowl pick. The entire starting group is talented and skilled and includes corner Nevin Lawson, safety Glover Quin, and safety Quandre Diggs. Glover is exceptionally durable, having started 132 straight games, while Diggs is quite versatile. Seattle corner DeShawn Shead has been added to this group. He can play any of the spots, but will most likely be used at the outside/slot corner. The O-line will be tested.
Detroit Offense at Jets Defense
Matt Stafford tossed 29 touchdowns and threw for 4,446 yards last season. That marked his seventh season in a row where he tossed for a minimum of 4,200 yards. In recent years, the Detroit ground attack has been virtually nonexistent. They’ve tried to remedy that that signing free agent LeGarrette Blount. Blount rushed for 18 TDs last season, which was an NFL-best. The Lions also took Auburn RB Kerryon Johnson in this year’s second round of the draft. Johnson leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing with 1,391 yards last season and scored 18 touchdowns. Plus, the Lions have Theo Riddick, who is one of the best third-down pass catchers.
The Jet secondary will be tested. Last season, CB Morris Claiborne registered eight PBU. Trumaine Johnson joins the team. A former premium Ram defender, the new Jet signed a $72 million contract. Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are a talented safety duo. Adams has a never-can-stop motor, but needs to improve his coverage. Buster Skrine plays his natural spot this season, nickel/corner. Our Week One New York plays Detroit NFL pick notes that the Jet O-line needs underpinning. The LB unit, which is also problematic, does include Avery Williams, who is a durable and dogged tackler.
Week One New York plays Detroit NFL pick
In creating our Week One New York plays Detroit NFL pick, we do so with the full knowledge that head coach Matt Patricia is a rookie and will be prone to rookie mistakes, The former defensive coordinator for the Patriots has done a smart thing and surrounded himself with some long-time, experienced vets and some relatively new assistants. It will be interesting to see how the Lions adapt to his style. The Jets are improved from their last two seasons, where they went 5-11 each time. But we think rookie QB Darnold will have a tough time performing against what is a very solid secondary. Also, we expect QB Stafford to excel for the Lions. Also, their rush attack should be better than it has been. Our Week One New York plays Detroit NFL pick is the Lions at -6.5. We also like the over at 44.0.
Summary Jets at Lions Picks: Detroit at -6.5 and over 44.0
