A game of firsts being played Monday night between the Jets and Lions at Ford Field (7:10 p.m. ET kickoff) gives us the chance to present our first Seven Points piece of the 2018 season.
For the MNF visitors, it's no secret that the future is now: Sam Darnold has gotten the nod to make his first pro start in his first pro game at quarterback in the Jets' season opener. Only two others hold that distinction, both coming in the last nine years and both coming away with victories — Mark Sanchez at Houston in 2009 and Geno Smith vs. Tampa Bay in 2013.
The hosts, meanwhile, are starting their own new era as Matt Patricia officially takes the reins as a first-time head coach and the Lions' 27th head coach all-time.
This is old hat for Todd Bowles. He said that as he enters his fourth season as the Jets' head coach, there will be nerves and excitement anew, but the weightiness of being an NFL head coach remains unchanged.
"Same pressure I felt when I came here," Bowles said. "I don't go into every season feeling any less or any more. You get to the Super Bowl from here. That's all I'm here to do. I'm not here to collect a check, I'm not here to go 8-8. I'm here to try and get to the Super Bowl."
Here are seven points of interest for Jets fans looking ahead to Monday night:
1. QBs of Legal Age
The trivia's been out there: Darnold at 21 years, 97 days old, will be the youngest QB to start an NFL opener in the Super Bowl era (Tommy Maddox was 21 years, 81 days old when he started for Denver in 1992, but that start was in December) and the youngest to start any Jets game. He'll be challenging another one-time phenom in Lions QB Matt Stafford, who was 21 years, 218 days old for the Lions' 2009 opener. But Stafford's gotten a nine-year head start on Darnold, having graduated to seven consecutive 4,000-yard passing seasons, most recently last year's 4,446 yards, 29 TDs to 10 INTs and 99.3 passer rating. Something for Sam to shoot for.
2. Powell & Crowell
One of a young QB's best friends is a pile-driving, chains-moving running game. With Bilal Powell and Isaiah Crowell being used judiciously this preseason, and with the Detroit rush defense 29th in the NFL over the final nine weeks of 2017, the Jets may be able to run. Powell, who last year became the only RB in franchise history with three 50-yard runs in one season, praises "Cro" as a consistent, durable, bruising backfield mate off of which the Green & White can run stretches and misdirections. As for his own state of mind, Bilal tells newyorkjets.com it's the same as always: "Whenever my number is called, whatever you want me to do, I'll do it."
3. Marvin Jones Visits NJC
It would work in the Jets secondary's favor if the Marvin Jones entering "New Jack City" on MNF was the former Jets MLB. Unfortunately, it's Marvin Jones the seventh-year WR, who hung up his first 1,000-yard receiving season last year with the Lions, averaged 18.0 yards/catch — best in the NFL the past two seasons — and nine TDs. He's also the same Jones who torched the Jets for four TD catches as a Bengal in 2013. Jones teams with WR Golden Tate to give Stafford the targets to test the secondary's nickname, keeping in mind the Jets DBs want to improve on their 15 INTs of the previous two seasons.
4. The Rivalry
The Jets are 6-7 all-time against the Lions and 4-4 on the road. Their last meeting was the 24-17 loss at MetLife in 2014, but the last two Ford Field get-togethers were Jets wins — 31-14 in 2002 and 23-20 in OT in 2010. The teams have never met in a season opener, but they did meet once before on Monday night. That one also went the Green & White way, 28-13 in the Pontiac Silverdome in 1982. The big connection in that game was Wesley Walker from Richard Todd for five catches, 164 yards and three TDs. Big question this Monday: Who on the Jets will play Walker (Robby Anderson, perhaps) to Darnold's Todd?
Top Snapshots from Some of the Matchups Between the Jets and Lions
New York Jets fullback Jerald Sowell is tackled by Detroit Lions safety Ron Rice, top, and linebacker Stephen Boyd (57) after picking up 12 yards during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Lions beat the Jets 10-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath (12) drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions, Nov. 23, 1972. The Lions defeated the Jets 37-20 at Tiger Stadium on Thanksgiving. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL preseason football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Jets' Nick Folk (2) is congratulated by Jason Taylor (99) after kicking the game-winning, 30-yard field goal to beat the Detroit Lions 23-20 in overtime during an NFL football game in Detroit Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) runs against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game in Detroit Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. The Jets won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones is tackled by New York Jets defensive back Morris Claiborne (21), safety Jamal Adams (33) and inside linebacker Darron Lee (58) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Jets linebacker Josh Martin (95) reaches in on Detroit Lions quarterback Jake Rudock (14) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terry Fair (23) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Dedric Ward during the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Lions beat the Jets 10-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Detroit Lions tight end Tony Scheffler (85) is stopped by New York Jets cornerback Drew Coleman (30) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
New York Jets tackle Brent Qvale (79) blocks Detroit Lions defensive end Darryl Tapp (52) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) rushes against the Detroit Lions during an NFL preseason football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) battles with Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) in the first quarter of their NFL football game in Detroit Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) celebrates, after breaking up a Detroit Lions pass, with safety Eric Smith (33), during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions quarterback Greg Landry (11) throws a pass during an NFL game against the New York Jets in Detroit, Mich., Nov. 23, 1972. The Lions defeated the Jets 37-20 on Thanksgiving Day. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
New York Jets wide receiver Brad Smith (16) is brought down by Detroit Lions cornerback Nathan Vasher (30) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
New York Jets running back Shonn Greene (23) dives for a first down in the in the second half of the of the NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. New York Jets won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) makes a touchdown catch next to Detroit Lions cornerback Alphonso Smith (27) in the first half of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, right, runs past New York Jets safety Brian Washington in first quarter action at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Dec. 10, 1994. (AP Photo/L.M. Otero)
The New York Jets and the Detroit Lions face off during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
New York Jets' Nick Folk (2) reacts after kicking the tying field goal in the closing seconds to send the game into overtime in an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. The Jets won 23-20. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) breaks up a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
New York Jets running back Leon Washington scores a fourth quarter touchdown on a pass from Jets quarterback Chad Pennington in the Jets 31-24 football victory over the Detroit Lions at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford,NJ Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. Washington is pursued by Lions corner back Dre Bly,(32), left, and safety Terrence Holt (42). (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones, left, shakes off New York Jets safety Kerry Rhodes on a fourth-quarter, nine yard pass from quarterback Jon Kitna and heads for the end zone for a touchdown on the play in the Lions 31-24 loss to the Jets in their football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford,NJ Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The New York Jets and the Detroit Lions face off during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/\042011000001)
New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington is challenged by Detroit Lions defensive end Kalimba Edwards (88) in the second quarter of the Jets 31-24 football victory at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (89) is tackled by Detroit Lions Terrence Holt as linebacker Paris Lenon (53) looks on during first quarter NFL football Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Cotchery caught seven passes as the Jets beat the Lions, 31-24. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles picks up 15 yards on a end-around as Detroit Lions safety Daniel Bullocks, left, pushes him out of bounds during third quarter NFL football Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets beat the Lions, 31-24. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) runs past Detroit Lions safety Louis Delmas (26) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim is tackled after a six-yard gain by New York Jets cornerback Justin Miller during fourth quarter NFL football action Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets beat the Lions, 31-24. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet (80) gets into the end zone before Detroit Lions' Chris Cash (29) can make the tackle in the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) makes a 52-yard reception against the Detroit Lions in overtime of an NFL football game in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. The Jets won 23-20. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Jets running back Derrick Blaylock, left, is tripped up by Detroit Lions safety Kenoy Kennedy as Lions' Fernando Bryant (25) and Earl Holmes (50) close in during the first quarter Friday night, Aug. 12, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets defensive end Bryan Thomas (99) pressures Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna as he scrambles to gain yardage in the fourth quarter of the Jets 31-24 victory over the Lions in their football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford,NJ Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006.(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
5. Darnold vs. the Detroit D
It's hard to say if Detroit's defense is a good way for Darnold to get his pro career started. On the positive side for Sammy and the Jets is the preseason, during which the Lions D was 32nd in the NFL in yards/play, passing yards/play and points/game and 31st in sacks/attempt (two total). On the negative side: That was the preseason, and Patricia is transitioning DE Ziggy Ansah, CB Darius Slay and the Lions from a 4-3 to that more hybrid, game-plan-specific Patriots defense that the Jets know so well but that Darnold has yet to experience. Said first-year DC Paul Pasqualoni, "It's a work in progress and we'll get better." Hopefully beginning in Week 2.
6. Special Things
The Jets continued looking at kickers after releasing Cairo Santos, but Jason Myers has the job and under Ford Field's roof it's possible he'll continue his long-kickoff mastery. In his only pro game at Detroit, for the Jaguars in 2016, he was 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on KO touchbacks. Andre Roberts, who had two punt-return TDs as a Lion and one in Ford Field in '16, is now the Jets returner, and as such could run into ex-Jet Nick Bellore, who when not covering kicks is no longer a LB but a blocking FB — except when he caught his first-ever touchdown pass from Stafford at Baltimore last year.
7. The Patricia Way
Patricia got the gig as the Lions' head coach this fall and the hopes in Motown are that he'll reproduce his success near Beantown, specifically Foxboro, where he was a Patriots defensive coach from 2006-17 and their DC the past six years. During his coordinator span, the Pats were tied for first in the NFL in points allowed and sixth in takeaways. But there was some controversy this offseason over whether Patricia might lose his players over making them run laps for practice mistakes. So is Patricia more Parcells/Belichick, more Groh/Mangini, or some combination? First returns come in late Monday night.
