New York Jets vs. Detroit Lions: 2018 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-09-10, the New York Jets took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 48–17 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 38 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -14.34 total EPA, and -11.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, S. Darnold (New York Jets) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.56 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-18.8% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (8:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 25-T.Riddick INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Lee [96-H.Anderson] at DET 36. 58-D.Lee for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 S. Darnold · New York Jets · Passing · +7.56 total EPA · 24 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Pryor · New York Jets · Receiving · +6.52 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.17 EPA/play
3. 3 I. Crowell · New York Jets · Rushing · +5.50 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
4. 4 Q. Enunwa · New York Jets · Receiving · +5.08 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
5. 5 R. Anderson · New York Jets · Receiving · +3.95 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.95 EPA/play
6. 6 N. Sterling · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.61 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.87 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Cannon · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.25 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.25 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Toilolo · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.54 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Detroit Lions — Q. Diggs (Q1 59:53)
• New York Jets — I. Crowell (Q1 49:26)
• New York Jets — R. Anderson (S. Darnold pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Detroit Lions — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 28:17)
• New York Jets — Q. Enunwa (S. Darnold pass) (Q3 24:44)
• New York Jets — D. Lee (Q3 23:16)
• New York Jets — A. Roberts (Q3 22:20)
• New York Jets — I. Crowell (Q3 16:04)

Field goals

• New York Jets — J. Myers (Q2 45:00)
• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q2 30:15)
• New York Jets — J. Myers (Q3 20:19)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the DET 75 (Q1 59:53) — (14:53) 14-S.Darnold pass short left intended for 29-B.Powell INTERCEPTED by 28-Q.Diggs at NYJ 37. 28-Q.Diggs for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q1 59:40) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; New York Jets found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q1 49:26) — (4:26) (Shotgun) 20-I.Crowell up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 49:20) — 2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards..

The second quarter: New York Jets won the period 10–3. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the DET 17 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 2-J.Myers 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; New York Jets found the end zone from the DET 41 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep left to 11-R.Anderson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 31:51) — 2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the NYJ 3 (Q2 30:15) — (:15) 5-M.Prater 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The third quarter: New York Jets won the period 31–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the NYJ 24 (Q3 28:17) — (13:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 15-G.Tate for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q3 28:10) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; New York Jets found the end zone from the DET 21 (Q3 24:44) — (9:44) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 81-Q.Enunwa for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 24:36) — 2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NYJ 66 (Q3 23:16); New York Jets added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 23:07) — 2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; New York Jets found the end zone from the NYJ 74 (Q3 22:20); New York Jets added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 22:00) — 2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the DET 14 (Q3 20:19) — (5:19) 2-J.Myers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; New York Jets found the end zone from the DET 62 (Q3 16:04) — (1:04) 20-I.Crowell right end for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 15:54) — 2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Detroit Lions (Q3 23:16) — (8:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 25-T.Riddick INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Lee [96-H.Anderson] at DET 36. 58-D.Lee for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.8% · EPA -8.88]
• New York Jets (Q1 59:53) — (14:53) 14-S.Darnold pass short left intended for 29-B.Powell INTERCEPTED by 28-Q.Diggs at NYJ 37. 28-Q.Diggs for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -8.02]
• New York Jets (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep left to 11-R.Anderson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.4% · EPA +3.95]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 28:17) — (13:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 15-G.Tate for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.9% · EPA +2.02]
• New York Jets (Q3 24:44) — (9:44) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 81-Q.Enunwa for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +2.56]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Detroit Lions (Q3 23:16) — (8:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 25-T.Riddick INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Lee [96-H.Anderson] at DET 36. 58-D.Lee for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.8% · EPA -8.88]
• New York Jets (Q1 59:53) — (14:53) 14-S.Darnold pass short left intended for 29-B.Powell INTERCEPTED by 28-Q.Diggs at NYJ 37. 28-Q.Diggs for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -18.7% · EPA -8.02]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 21:57) — (6:57) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle intended for 82-L.Willson INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Lee at DET 39. 58-D.Lee to DET 18 for 21 yards (15-G.Tate). [WPA -2.3% · EPA -5.98]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 22:20) — (7:20) 6-S.Martin punts 52 yards to NYJ 22, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 19-A.Roberts for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was inbounds ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling [WPA -1.8% · EPA -5.75]

Quarterback report card

M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 50 dropbacks · 54.0% completion · -11.7% CPOE · -0.29 EPA/play · -14.34 total EPA
• S.Darnold (New York Jets) · 24 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +10.8% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +7.56 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New York Jets generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.48), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 15 drives, -43.42 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New York Jets: 14 drives, -1.65 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New York Jets leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• S. Darnold (New York Jets) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• S. Darnold (NYJ) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 59:53 · DET 75 · Score 0-6
   (14:53) 14-S.Darnold pass short left intended for 29-B.Powell INTERCEPTED by 28-Q.Diggs at NYJ 37. 28-Q.Diggs for 37 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 59:40 · NYJ 15 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
3. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q1 49:26 · DET 6 · Score 6-7
   (4:26) (Shotgun) 20-I.Crowell up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q1 49:20 · DET 15 · Score 7-7
   2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
5. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q2 45:00 · DET 17 · Score 10-7
   (15:00) 2-J.Myers 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
6. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · DET 41 · Score 16-7
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep left to 11-R.Anderson for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 31:51 · DET 15 · Score 17-7
   2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:15 · NYJ 3 · Score 17-10
   (:15) 5-M.Prater 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
9. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 28:17 · NYJ 24 · Score 17-16
   (13:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 15-G.Tate for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 28:10 · NYJ 15 · Score 17-17
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
11. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 24:44 · DET 21 · Score 23-17
    (9:44) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass short left to 81-Q.Enunwa for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 24:36 · DET 15 · Score 24-17
    2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
13. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 23:16 · NYJ 66 · Score 30-17
    (8:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left intended for 25-T.Riddick INTERCEPTED by 58-D.Lee [96-H.Anderson] at DET 36. 58-D.Lee for 36 yards, TOU
14. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 23:07 · DET 15 · Score 31-17
    2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
15. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 22:20 · NYJ 74 · Score 37-17
    (7:20) 6-S.Martin punts 52 yards to NYJ 22, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 19-A.Roberts for 78 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was inbounds rul
16. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 22:00 · DET 15 · Score 38-17
    2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
17. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q3 20:19 · DET 14 · Score 41-17
    (5:19) 2-J.Myers 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
18. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q3 16:04 · DET 62 · Score 47-17
    (1:04) 20-I.Crowell right end for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q3 15:54 · DET 15 · Score 48-17
    2-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.