Monday Night Football, Week 1 2018: Lions will try to keep pace in NFC North

The Green Bay Packers’ thrilling victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night pulled them into a tie with the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC North lead after one game, with the two division favorites winning their opening games. Tonight, the Detroit Lions try to match those two franchises with a win in their own season opener, a home game against the New York Jets.

New York will be starting rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and the only rookie to start in week one this season. Last year, the Jets finished 5-11, but in March they elected to move up three spots from the 6th pick to the third, eventually selecting Darnold on draft day.

In the late game, a pair of oft-relocating teams square off in the Bay Area as the Rams travel North from Los Angeles to play the Raiders. Sean McVay’s team looks poised to make a deep playoff run in the NFC this year and it boasts one of the best rosters on paper in the entire NFL. The Raiders? Well, they just traded away their best player to the Chicago Bears a week ago.

Enjoy the games, and join us to discuss.

Monday Night Doubleheader

New York Jets at Detroit Lions

Ford Field, Detroit, MI
7:10 PM ET
Last meeting: Week 4 2014 — Lions 24, @Jets 17

Los Angeles Rams at Oakland Raiders

Oakland County Coliseum, Oakland, CA
7:20 PM PT (10:20 ET)
Last meeting: Week 13 2014 — @Rams 52, Raiders 0

Both games are televised on ESPN and aired on Westwood One Sports radio.