The Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams were both favorites in their Monday Night Football game to wrap up Week 1, and one came away a road winner, while the other lost by 31 points.
Game 1 Turned Ugly Quickly
In the first game of the doubleheader – despite coming in as a 7-point favorite at home, the Detroit Lions dropped their season opener to the New York Jets 48-17. The loss was the first in the head coaching career of former Patriots coordinator Matt Patricia. On the other side, the win for the Jets was the first in the rookie quarterback Sam Darnold’s career.
The game started slow for Darnold, as he threw an interception on his first throw of the game, and it was returned for a touchdown by Quandre Diggs of the Lions. It was 7-0 in no time. After that, the Jets took over. An Isaiah Crowell touchdown tied the game, followed by a field goal by the Jets and a Robby Anderson 41-yard touchdown pass. Anderson finished the game with just that catch.
The Lions tried to get back in the game with a late field goal, to make the game 17-10. The second half got off to a nice start for the Lions as well, as Golden Tate tied the game at 17. This was just 2:00 in. After that – it was all Jets, with Quincy Enunwa starting the party of three touchdowns in 2.5 minutes. Darron Lee picked off Matthew Stafford and took it to the house, and late Andre Roberts returned a punt for a touchdown. The Jets did not look back from there winning the game 48-17.
Los Angeles Picks up Huge Road Win
It was also a quick start for the Oakland Raiders. Jon Gruden loved what he saw from Derek Carr, and his running back Marshawn Lynch with an opening drive touchdown. Little did the Raiders know it would be their final touchdown of the game.
The Rams, who are the pick to win the NFC by many, stormed back to tie the game with a Todd Gurley touchdown. Oakland took the lead and retook the lead before half but much like the first game – the second half was all one-sided. The road team scored the final 23 points and won the game 33-13.
Jared Goff finished the game with 233 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Derek Carr was picked off by the Rams three times. Todd Gurley was productive yet again, with 20 carries and 108 yards, despite not rushing for a touchdown. Gurley’s lone touchdown came via the passing game. Jared Cook was a huge bright spot for the Raiders. The former Rams tight end finished with 9 catches for 180 yards.
Coach Gruden had some high praise for the high-powered Rams offense.
“They proved their stuff tonight. In the second half, especially”
The Rams are going home in Week 2 to host the Arizona Cardinals in a NFC West affair. Oakland will also stay in the division, as they go on the road to take on the Denver Broncos. The Detroit Lions will look to get back on track with their second game of the season at the San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Jets will look to stay perfect as they host divisional rival Miami.