- The Washington Times - Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Few people expected such a dominant performance from the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, but in their 48-17 rout of the Detroit Lions, they were apparently the better-prepared team.

Take it from linebacker Darron Lee, who told reporters the Jets’ defense was “calling out their plays as (Matthew Stafford) was getting up to the line.”

“We knew his signals,” Lee said. “We knew everything. That’s just preparation as a defense. … It seemed like we were in his head as a defense.”

Stafford threw four interceptions, two to Lee, the former first-round pick. Lee returned one for a touchdown — the franchise’s first defensive touchdown in five years — as the Jets racked up 31 points in the third quarter.

But the Jets insisted they were not stealing signals. They claim they just saw everything coming.

“Study. Everybody studied,” Lee said.

Stafford finished with a 10.7 QBR, while rookie Sam Darnold, playing in his first-ever NFL game, overcame a pick-six on his first career attempt to have an 82.9 QBR, 76.2 percent completions and two touchdowns.

• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.

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