DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks for a receiver against the Los Angeles Rams during first half action at Ford Field on October 16, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Two big NFL games will be held Monday night, and here is what you need to know.
First, the New York Jets will visit the Detroit Lions, and then the Los Angeles Rams will travel to Oakland to face the Raiders.
Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold — the third overall pick in this year’s draft — is set to make his debut with the Jets. The USC product impressed more than veteran QBs Teddy Bridgewater and Josh McCown this preseason. Darnold finished 29 of 45 in passing and also logged two touchdowns and an interception before the season started.
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Meanwhile, the Lions boast a new head coach, former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Detroit posted terrible ground yards figures last season, although they gave their running corps a boost by signing former Patriots back LeGarrette Blount, who had a league-high 18 touchdowns two years ago.
This game will start at 7:10 p.m. EST and will air on ESPN.
The Rams will play the Raiders in Oakland at 10:20 p.m. EST, and this game will also air on ESPN.
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Last year, the Rams boasted one of the top defenses in the league. The team got Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters in a trade this offseason, and this will surely bolster their defense, as Peters is the NFL’s leader in interceptions since he turned pro in 2015. Another recently-acquired cornerback, former Denver Bronco Aqib Talib, has been a standout in the NFL for the past few seasons. Finally, the Rams will also likely benefit from veteran defense tackle Ndamukong Suh, whom the Dolphins released earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Oakland boasts newly acquired wide receiver Jordy Nelson and several rookies that include left guard Kelechi Osemele and left tackle Kolton Miller.
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