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: