Jets-Patriots rivalry
Encyclopedia
{|class="toccolours" style="float: right; clear: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width: 23em;"
|-style="text-align:center;"
!colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background-color: ;"|New York Jets–New England Patriots
|-
{|style="background: none; width: 20em; margin: 0 auto;"
|-
!style="background: #E0E7EF;" colspan="2"|Regular Season History
|-
|First Meeting||September 17, 1960
|-
|First Result||BOS 28, NYT 24
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Last Meeting||November 13, 2011
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Last Result||NE 37, NYJ 16
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Next Meeting|| TBD
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Rivalry status||103 meetings
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Largest victory||NE 56, NYJ 3
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Smallest victory||NYT 21, BOS 20
NYJ 27, NE 26
NE 14, NYJ 13
NYJ 27, NE 26
NYJ 20, NE 19
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Current Streak||Patriots W2
(2011-present)
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|All-Time Series||Patriots lead 53-52-1
|-
!style="background: #E0E7EF;" colspan="2"|Post Season History
|-
|Last Meeting||January 16, 2011
|-
|Last Result||NYJ 28, NE 21
|-
|Next Meeting||TBA
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|All-Time Postseason Series||Patriots lead 2-1
|-
!style="background: #E0E7EF;" colspan="2"|Playoff and Championship Success
|-
{|class="infobox" style="font-size:90%; width:100%; border:0px;"
|-
|colspan="2"|AFL Championships (1)
Super Bowl Championships
(4)
Super Bowl Appearances (7)
AFL Eastern Division Championships (3)
AFC East Divisional Championships
(14)
AFC Wild Card Berths
(14)
|}
The New York Jets
–New England Patriots
rivalry is a rivalry between two franchises in the National Football League
. The teams both play in the AFC East
, and play two scheduled games each season as a result.
Games between the two teams have often played out the fierce rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball
, as the cities of New York City and Boston are approximately hours apart by car.
|-
!
!Patriots wins
!Ties
!Jets wins
!Patriots points
!Jets points
|-
|Regular season
|50
|1
|51
|2,206
|2,124
|-
|Postseason
|2
|
|1
|84
|58
|-
!Total
!52
!1
!52
!2,269
!2,154
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable"
|bgcolor="#CCFFFF"|
|bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|
|bgcolor="#FFE6BD"|
|}
|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|1960
|September 17
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|28–24
|New York Titans
|Polo Grounds
|-
|November 11
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|38–21
|New York Titans
|Nickerson Field
|-
|rowspan="2"|1961
|September 9
|New York Titans
|align="center"|21–20
|Boston Patriots
|Nickerson Field
|-
|October 1
|New York Titans
|align="center"|37–30
|Boston Patriots
|Polo Grounds
|-
|rowspan="2"|1962
|October 6
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|43–13
|New York Titans
|Polo Grounds
|-
|November 30
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|24–17
|New York Titans
|Nickerson Field
|-
|rowspan="2"|1963
|September 8
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|38–14
|New York Jets
|Fenway Park
|-
|October 5
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–24
|Boston Patriots
|Polo Grounds
|-
|rowspan="2"|1964
|September 27
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|26–10
|New York Jets
|Fenway Park
|-
|October 31
|New York Jets
|align="center"|35–14
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1965
|November 14
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–20
|Boston Patriots
|Fenway Park
|-
|November 28
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|27–23
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|rowspan="2"|1966
|October 2
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–24
|Boston Patriots
|Fenway Park
|-
|December 17
|New York Jets
|align="center"|38–28
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1967
|October 29
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–23
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|November 19
|New York Jets
|align="center"|29–24
|Boston Patriots
|Fenway Park
|-
|rowspan="2"|1968
|September 22
|New York Jets
|align="center"|47–31
|Boston Patriots
|Legion Field
|-
|October 27
|New York Jets
|align="center"|48–14
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1969
|October 5
|New York Jets
|align="center"|23–14
|Boston Patriots
|Alumni Stadium
|-
|October 26
|New York Jets
|align="center"|23–17
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|}
|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|1970
|September 27
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–21
|Boston Patriots
|Harvard Stadium
|-
|November 22
|New York Jets
|align="center"|17–3
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1971
|October 10
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–0
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|December 12
|New York Jets
|align="center"|13–6
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1972
|October 15
|New York Jets
|align="center"|41–13
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|October 29
|New York Jets
|align="center"|34–10
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1973
|October 14
|New York Jets
|align="center"|9–7
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|November 11
|New York Jets
|align="center"|33–13
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1974
|October 13
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–0
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-
|November 17
|New York Jets
|align="center"|21–16
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1975
|October 5
|New York Jets
|align="center"|36–7
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|December 7
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–28
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1976
|October 18
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|41–7
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|November 21
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|38–24
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1977
|October 2
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–27
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|October 30
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–13
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1978
|October 29
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|55–21
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|November 19
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|19–17
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1979
|September 9
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|56–3
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|December 9
|New York Jets
|align="center"|27–26
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|}
|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|1980
|October 5
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|21–11
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-
|November 2
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|34–21
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1981
|October 11
|New York Jets
|align="center"|28–24
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|November 15
|New York Jets
|align="center"|17–6
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="1"|1982
|September 19
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–7
|New England Patriots
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1983
|September 18
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|23–13
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|November 27
|New York Jets
|align="center"|26–3
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1984
|September 30
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|28–21
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|October 28
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|30–20
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1985
|October 20
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–13
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-bgcolor="#FFE6BD"
|November 24
|New York Jets
|align="center"|16–13 (OT)
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-bgcolor="#CCFFFF"
|1985
|December 28
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|26–14
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1986
|September 11
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–6
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|October 12
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–24
|New England Patriots
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1987
|September 21
|New York Jets
|align="center"|43–24
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 13
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|42–20
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1988
|September 4
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|28–3
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|November 13
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|14–13
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1989
|September 10
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|27–24
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 5
|New York Jets
|align="center"|27–26
|New England Patriots
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|}
|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|1990
|September 30
|New York Jets
|align="center"|37–13
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|December 23
|New York Jets
|align="center"|42–7
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1991
|November 17
|New York Jets
|align="center"|28–21
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|December 15
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|6–3
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1992
|October 4
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–27
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 22
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–3
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1993
|September 26
|New York Jets
|align="center"|45–7
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 28
|New York Jets
|align="center"|6–0
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1994
|October 16
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–17
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 4
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–13
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1995
|November 5
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–7
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 10
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|31–28
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1996
|November 10
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|31–27
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 8
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|34–10
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-bgcolor="#FFE6BD"
|rowspan="2"|1997
|September 14
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|27–24 (OT)
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|October 19
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–19
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1998
|October 19
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–14
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|December 27
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–10
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1999
|September 12
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|30–28
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 15
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–17
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|}
|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|2000
|September 11
|New York Jets
|align="center"|20–19
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|October 15
|New York Jets
|align="center"|34–17
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2001
|September 23
|New York Jets
|align="center"|10–3
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|December 2
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|17–16
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2002
|September 15
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|44–7
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 22
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–17
|New England Patriots
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2003
|September 21
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|23–16
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|December 20
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|21–16
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2004
|October 24
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|13–7
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|December 26
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|23–7
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2005
|December 4
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|16–3
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|December 26
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|31–21
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006
|September 17
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–17
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 12
|New York Jets
|align="center"|17–14
|New England Patriots
|Gillette Stadium
|-bgcolor="#CCFFFF"
|2007
|January 7
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|37–16
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2007
|September 9
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|38–14
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 16
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–10
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
|September 14
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|19–10
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-bgcolor="#FFE6BD"
|November 13
|New York Jets
|align="center"|34–31 (OT)
|New England Patriots
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2009
|September 20
|New York Jets
|align="center"|16–9
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 22
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|31–14
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|}
|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="3"|2010
|September 19
|New York Jets
|align=center|28-14
|New England Patriots
|New Meadowlands Stadium
|-
|December 6
|New England Patriots
|align=center|45-3
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-bgcolor="#CCFFFF"
|January 16
|New York Jets
|align=center|28-21
|New England Patriots
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="4"|2011
|October 9
|New England Patriots
|align=center|30-21
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|November 13
|New England Patriots
|align=center|37-16
|New York Jets
|MetLife Stadium
|}
. Al Dorow
of the Titans erupted to three touchdown throws and led the Titans to a 24-7 lead in the third quarter. But Butch Songin
and 109 rushing yards by Patriots runners clawed Boston back to trail 24-21 in the fourth quarter, then Chuck Shonta
finished off the Titans when punter Rick Sapienza fumbled the snap. The ball bounced around wildly until Chuck Shonta
picked up the ball at the 25 and ran in for a touchdown. The Titans complained that linebacker Jack Rudolph
had kicked the ball, which was illegal, during the chase for the ball but the play stood.
, for the only dead-heat in the rivalry's history. The Patriots led 24-7 after three quarters but two Joe Namath
touchdowns and a Jim Turner field goal tied the game. It would also be the last time the Patriots did not lose to the Jets until October 1971.
as three Joe Namath
touchdown throws (including a 77-yard strike to George Sauer, Jr.
) led the Jets to a 38-28 win, despite Vito Parilli throwing for 379 yards.
the Patriots shut out the now-1-4 Jets 24-0 as Sam Cunningham
rushed in two touchdowns and Bob Geddes ran back a Joe Namath
interception for a 23-yard touchdown; the win was New England's fifth straight in 1974 and first over the Jets since October 10, 1971. Five weeks later on November 17 at Schaefer Stadium the Jets, fresh off a dramatic victory over the New York Giants
, rolled to a 21-16 win as Namath threw two touchdowns and Jim Plunkett
was picked off four times. The win put the Jets at 3-7 as they finished the season with a six-game winning streak while the Patriots fell to 7-7.
, which was unofficially renamed "Monday Night Madness" when the rowdiness of drunken fans at Schaefer Stadium led to mass arrests by local police and the cuffing of fans to a chain-link fence when other space became unavailable. The Jets were stampeded by running backs Andy Johnson
, Don Calhoun
, and Sam Cunningham
and quarterback Steve Grogan
as they amassed 330 rushing yards and five touchdowns, one of them a fumble recovered by Grogan in the second quarter. Grogan also completed a short touchdown pass to Johnson, culminating in a 41-7 Patriots rout.
, the Jets set an unofficial record for passing inefficiency as the Patriots wiped out a 10-0 first quarter gap and exploded to a 38-24 win. Joe Namath
threw six interceptions; Mike Haynes had three interceptions, Tim Fox
had one, and Prentice McCray
had two of his own and scored with them (a 63-yard score and a 55-yard score), while backup Richard Todd threw a seventh interception (to cornerback Bob Howard) in the fourth quarter; the Jets also coughed up three fumbles. Steve Grogan
passes to Andy Johnson
, Darryl Stingley
, and Pete Brock
and a John Smith
field goal accounted for the remaining Patriots' points.
felt the Patriots were somehow decifering his coaching staff's signals and suspected a rival team had told these codes to the Patriots. Michaels stewed afterward, "This will never happen to us again. I know what they did, but by the time we figured it out, it was too late." Later that season the Houston Oilers
erased a 23-0 gap to beat the Patriots 26-23, and there was speculation the Jets had told Oilers coaches about Patriots codes.
set a Patriots record with five touchdown throws in a 56-3 Patriots massacre of the Jets at Schaefer Stadium; his touchdown record stood until Tom Brady
broke it against the Dolphins
in 2007. Following the game a scuffle ensued in the crowded locker room between cornerback Raymond Clayborn
and Boston Globe writer Will McDonough
. Harold Jackson
caught three passes, all for touchdowns. Stanley Morgan
caught two, and Andy Johnson, Allan Clark
and Don Westbrook
also scored a touchdown each.
was injured and later died after he was struck by a radio-controlled flying lawnmower that stalled in mid-air and crashed into the stands.
at 2-2 to face the 3-1 Jets. Jets cornerback Bobby Jackson
popped his right hamstring during morning stretching and was lost for the year; coach Joe Walton
replaced him with Davlin Mullen, but the Patriots behind 354 passing yards by Tony Eason
rolled to a 28-21 win; following three unanswered Patriots scores in the second half Mullen was benched by Walton for rookie Russell Carter
.
, Patriots coach Ron Meyer
fired assistant coach Rod Rust
, but he did not have the authority to do so and was fired himself. Raymond Berry
, an assistant with Chuck Fairbanks
and Ron Erhardt
, was hired, and his first game was against the Jets. The Jets bolted to a 10-0 lead and then led 20-6 at the half, but the Patriots led by running back Craig James fought back and scored 24 unanswered points by Tony Franklin, James, Tony Eason
, Tony Collins
, and Stephen Starring
for a 30-20 Patriots win. Collins later said Berry earned the respect of the locker room in that one weekend.
, surrendered a 7-3 gap in the second quarter, then erupted to 23 points in a 26-14 win, the team's first playoff win since beating the Buffalo Bills
in a 1963 elimination game to decide the AFL's Eastern Division champ for the 1963 AFL Championship game.
to take on the 3-2 Patriots and the ensuing game saw memorable performances by Jets running back Johnny Hector
and Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan
, who was replacing oft-injured starter Tony Eason
. Hector rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns as the Jets erupted to a 24-0 halftime lead, but Grogan, throwing for 401 yards and three scores, led a furious Patriots comeback, but with the Jets holding a tenuous 31-24 led with one minute remaining, Grogan completed a 31-yard strike to Irving Fryar
across midfield, but when Fryar was hit by Jets defenders he fumbled the ball to the Jets, securing the Jets win.
the Jets dominated the Patriots 43-24 in Giants Stadium
behind scores by Johnny Hector
, Al Toon
, and Nuu Faaola
. In the December rematch in Sullivan Stadium the Patriots flattened the Jets 42-20 behind four Steve Grogan
touchdown throws and a Reggie Dupard
rushing score.
was in his first year heading the Jets while future Jets coach Bill Parcells
was in his second season heading the Patriots. Brad Baxter
rushed for two touchdowns and Boomer Esiason
threw for an additional score despite being sacked six times. The Patriots lost the turnover battle, coughing up three fumbles and one interception en route to a 24-17 Jets win.
with just four wins in the 1995-6 period, but raced to a 21-0 second quarter lead after holding Drew Bledsoe
0-4 in completions in the entire first quarter. From there Bledsoe went 24-30 for 297 yards and overcame two interceptions and two sacks. After a Terry Glenn
score in the second quarter, his second touchdown came to Ben Coates
and tied the game at 24. A Jets field goal made it 27-24 when Bledsoe completed a pass to Coates at the 50-yard line on 4th and 2. The Jets disputed the ball spot by line judge Charles Stewart (the ball spot was also roundly criticized by ESPN
) but the first down call stood, and Bledsoe found Keith Byars
for the game-winning score. A late Jets rally was stopped on an endzone interception by Lawyer Milloy
for a 31-27 Patriots win.
' contract was set to expire after the Patriots' appearance in Super Bowl XXXI
. In the time preceding the game, rumors surfaced that Parcells would seek a coaching job elsewhere with more say in personnel decisions than he had under Patriots owner Robert Kraft
. In the 1996 NFL Draft
, Parcells had wanted to select a defender with the Patriots' seventh overall pick, but Kraft and personnel director Bobby Grier wanted wide receiver
Terry Glenn
instead, who was drafted.
After the Super Bowl, Parcells resigned from the Patriots, prompting Kraft to believe the Jets had been tampering with Parcells in an attempt for him to resign and take the Jets' vacant head coaching position and have say in the Jets' first overall selection in the 1997 NFL Draft
. The Jets decided that since Parcells couldn't be their head coach in 1997 because of his contract renegotiation, they would hire Parcells as a consultant and have Bill Belichick
, who followed Parcells from the Patriots, hold the title of head coach. Kraft, who was requesting a first-round pick in return for allowing Parcells to coach elsewhere, called the Jets' agreement "a transparent farce" that "demonstrated it was the Jets' intention all along for Bill Parcells to become head coach of the Jets for the '97 season." Despite Parcells claiming the Jets had been given league permission for the consulting agreement, the NFL denied any permission was given, instead having commissioner Paul Tagliabue
arrange an agreement between the two sides. The Patriots received third and fourth-round picks in the 1997 NFL Draft
, a second-round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft
, and a first-round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft
in compensation for allowing Parcells to become the Jets' head coach.
With Parcells leaving for the Jets, the Patriots hired 49ers defensive coordinator Pete Carroll
, who had been Jets head coach in 1994.
division title. Both teams opened 1997 on August 31 with games against AFC West
opponents (the Patriots hosted the San Diego Chargers
while the Jets played the Seattle Seahawks
in the Kingdome
). Both teams opened with routs - the Patriots won their game 41-7 while the Jets triumphed in theirs 41-3. The two teams met
in Foxboro Stadium
on September 14 on TNT's Sunday Night Football program (this match-up became one of only two to be featured 3 times on TNT, alongside Arizona Cardinals
-Dallas Cowboys
). The game lead tied or changed seven times as both quarterbacks put up strong numbers but also costly errors - Neil O'Donnell
was sacked seven times and fumbled three times, while on the Patriots side Drew Bledsoe
threw two INTs, one returned by Mo Lewis
for a touchdown. With the game tied at 24 Jets kicker John Hall
lined up for an easy field goal in the final sixteen seconds of regulation, but the kick was blocked. Adam Vinatieri
's 34-yard kick then won the game for the Patriots 27-24 in overtime.
The Jets won three of their next four (over Oakland
, Cincinnati
, and Indianapolis
) after the loss, and in the rematch in Giants Stadium
on October 19 the Patriots blew a 19-10 third quarter lead as Adrian Murrell
and Lorenzo Neal
rushing scores and desperation Bledsoe heaves that fell short sealed a 24-19 Jets win.
From there, however, both teams struggled - the Jets lost three of their next seven games (to Miami
, Buffalo
, and the Colts) and in their season finale against the Detroit Lions
surrendered 184 rushing yards to Barry Sanders
in a 13-10 Lions win; Jets quarterbacks Ray Lucas
and Glenn Foley
and fullback Leon Johnson
combined for three picks. The Patriots meanwhile lost four of their final nine games (to Green Bay
, Minnesota
, Tampa
, and Pittsburgh
) after their loss to the Jets, but knocked them out of the playoffs with late-season wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars
, Indianapolis Colts
, and Miami Dolphins
twice. The Patriots thus finished 10-6 while the Jets finished 9-7.
Curtis Martin
, the 1995 Rookie of the Year
, became a restricted free agent
. The Patriots placed the highest possible tender on Martin, that would ensure a first-round and third-round draft pick compensation if they did not match a contract offer from another team. The Jets offered Martin a 6-year, $
36 million contract, and the Patriots, low on salary cap space, opted to not match the offer and took the draft pick compensation. The Jets offer was the first example under the NFL's current Free Agency system of the "poison pill". Essentially a different contract for the Patriots than it would be for the Jets. It included a clause that would have allowed Martin could become an unrestricted free agent the following season if the Patriots matched the offer, allowing him to leave New England without the Patriots receiving any compensation. The deal included a $3.3 million roster bonus that would have counted against the Patriots' salary cap.
, and new quarterback Vinny Testaverde
, lost three of their first five games (to the Forty-Niners
in overtime, the Baltimore Ravens
, and St. Louis Rams
) before defeating the 4-1 Patriots in Week Six. From there the Jets surged to their greatest season ever, winning nine of their final ten games (their only loss in this period was a 24-23 loss to the Indianapolis Colts
and rookie Peyton Manning
). The Patriots meanwhile slumped, losing three of their next four games before last-minute comeback wins over Miami and Buffalo and a 23-9 defeat of Pittsburgh. Drew Bledsoe
broke a finger on his throwing hand and after a 32-18 loss to the St. Louis Rams
backup Scott Zolak
took over, leading the Patriots to a last-second 24-21 win over the San Francisco 49ers
, but in the season's final game, the Patriots were crushed 31-10 by the Jets.
Both teams made the playoffs. The Patriots were crushed 25-10 by the Jacksonville Jaguars
in the AFC Wildcard round (their only loss to the Jags in eight meetings) and the Jets handled Jacksonville 34-24 in the AFC Divisional round but gave up 23 unanswered second-half points in a 23-10 defeat to the Denver Broncos
in the AFC Championship.
and the ensuing game
became a ferocious affair. Vinny Testaverde
tore his left achilles and was replaced by former Patriots punter Tom Tupa
, who threw touchdowns to Keyshawn Johnson
and Fred Baxter
. Trailing 16-10 at halftime the Patriots scored 17 third quarter points, but the Baxter score and a Bryan Cox
touchdown off an interception put the Jets in the lead 28-27. Parcells twice called for two-point conversions and they failed; he then put in emergency quarterback Rick Mirer
in the game's final three minutes, and a Mirer pass was deflected by Chris Slade
and recovered by Ty Law
, setting up the game-winning Adam Vinatieri
field goal with 30 seconds left.
The Patriots stormed to a 6-2 record, beating the Jets, Indianapolis, the NY Giants, Cleveland, Denver, and Arizona, while the Jets sleepwalked to 2-6, beating only Denver and Arizona. But in the rematch in November the Jets roared to a 24-3 lead and sweated out two fourth quarter Bledsoe touchdowns for the win, and from there both teams went in opposite directions, the Jets slumping to 4-8 and then winning their final four games to finish 8-8, while the Patriots collapsed to 8-8. The season finale for both teams ended in wins, the Patriots defeating the Baltimore Ravens
while the Jets, in Parcells' final game as coach, defeated the same Seattle Seahawks
against which he'd inaugurated his tenure as Jets coach.
season, Parcells resigned as head coach of the Jets and made his second retirement from NFL coaching. Belichick, who had been assistant head coach of the Jets, became the Jets' next head coach. The following day, at a press conference for his hiring, Belichick wrote a resignation note on a napkin ("I resign as HC of the NYJ."), and proceeded to instead announce his resignation in front of the press. Despite rumors that he had been offered the Patriots' vacant head coaching position, Belichick cited the Jets' uncertain ownership situation following the death of owner Leon Hess
earlier that year as the reason for his resignation. The Jets denied Belichick permission to speak with other teams, and as had happened in 1997 with Parcells, the NFL upheld Belichick's contractual obligations to the Jets. Belichick then filed an antitrust
lawsuit against the NFL in federal court. After Parcells and Kraft, talking for the first time since Parcells' resignation from the Patriots, agreed to settle their differences, the Patriots and Jets agreed to a compensation package to allow Belichick to become the Patriots' head coach. With the deal, the Patriots sent their first-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft
and fourth and seventh-round picks in the 2001 NFL Draft
to the Jets, while also receiving the Jets' fifth-round selection in 2001 and seventh-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft
.
swept the Patriots in 2000; in the two teams' September matchup in Giants Stadium
the Jets rallied from a 19-7 gap in the fourth quarter to win 20-19, then in October smothered the Patriots in Foxboro Stadium
34-17, recording four interceptions off Drew Bledsoe
. The Jets surged to a 9-4 record but then collapsed in losses to Oakland, Detroit, and Baltimore. The Patriots meanwhile never got untracked en route to a 5-11 season.
Herm Edwards replaced Groh as Jets coach, and in September 2001 Drew Bledsoe
was badly injured by a hit by Mo Lewis
in Foxboro Stadium
; with his chest cavity filling with blood (an injury requiring hospitalization) he was replaced late in the game by backup Tom Brady
, but it was not enough to overcome a 10-3 Jets win. From there, however, the Patriots surged forward, and both teams met in late November in Giants Stadium
, the Jets at 7-4 and the Pats at 6-5. The Jets raced to a 13-3 halftime lead, then were shot down by touchdowns by Antowain Smith
and a Brady toss to Marc Edwards to go with an Adam Vinatieri
field goal and two Vinnie Testaverde picks. The 17-16 final continued a Patriots streak all the way to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVI
while the Jets finished a strong 10-6 only to fall 24-22 to the Oakland Raiders
in the playoffs.
The 2002 season opened with a comeback Jets win in OT in Buffalo, but in Week Two the Patriots mopped the Meadowlands with the Jets 44-7; Jets placekicker Matt Turk
(14 yards on a botched punt attempt) outrushed the entire Jets offensive backfield (nine yards by Curtis Martin
, LaMont Jordan
, and Richie Anderson
combined) and two Testaverde turnovers (a fumble to Tebucky Jones
and an interception by Victor Green
) led to Patriot touchdowns. A humiliating 30-3 loss in Miami was followed by a 28-3 loss in Jacksonville; during this game Testaverde failed to complete a pass in four tries and was sacked once; he was thus benched and sophomore Chad Pennington
took over under center, finishing with 281 yards and one INT.
From there, however, the Jets came to life. Against the Kansas City Chiefs
Pennington completed 22 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns as the game lead tied or changed eight times; the Chiefs won 29-25 on a Trent Green
touchdown (19 yards) to Priest Holmes
with 27 seconds left. The Jets now began winning in an unusually competitive NFL season, beating the Minnesota Vikings
20-7 as they won six of nine games entering their Week 16 showdown with New England. The Patriots meanwhile fell to 3-4 after an OT win (41-38) over Kansas City was followed by four straight losses (to San Diego
, Miami, Green Bay
, and Denver
;) the Patriots then rallied to 8-6 with routs of Buffalo twice, a huge comeback over Chicago
, and wins over Minnesota and Detroit
when they hosted the Jets at new Gillette Stadium
in December. With both teams coming off losses (the Patriots lost to Tennessee
on Monday Night Football
while the Jets were beaten in Chicago
), the resurgent Jets shot down the Patriots 30-17, and suddenly with both teams 8-7 the final week of the regular season became a dizzying conundrum; the Patriots needed to beat the Miami Dolphins
and have the Green Bay Packers
defeat the Jets to win the AFC East
, their only chance of a playoff berth; the Jets needed a Patriots win and to beat the Packers to win the division and thus make the playoffs, while Miami needed to win to make the playoffs. The Patriots rallied from down 24-13 in the final five minutes to force overtime and defeat the Dolphins 27-24; the Jets game against Green Bay started on time with overtime in Foxboro approaching; Brett Favre
had thrown a long incompletion on a neutral-zone infraction by the Jets just as the winning FG in the Patriots game took place; when the game was decided the crowd at Giants Stadium
exploded in cheers. From there the Jets rolled over the Packers 42-17, knocking Miami and New England out of the playoffs and winning the AFC East
, only their second division crown since the 1970 merger. The Jets followed up by crushing the Indianapolis Colts
41-0 in the wildcard round, but then fell to the Oakland Raiders
30-10.
Chad Pennington
was injured in the Jets' 2003 preseason game against the Giants
and missed half of the year. He returned in the latter half of 2003 but the 2-4 Jets could only salvage a 6-10 record. The Patriots, meanwhile, roared to 14-2, sweeping the Jets (23-16 at Foxboro, 21-16 at The Meadowlands) en route to victory in Super Bowl XXXVIII
. For the 2004 season Pennington stayed healthy and the Jets roared to a 5-0 start (including a 14-point comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers
) before falling to the Patriots in Foxboro 13-7. The Patriots surged to 12-2 when they met the Jets in the Meadowlands for the season rematch and triumphed 23-7. The Patriots finished 14-2 again and the Jets finished 10-6, securing a wildcard playoff berth; responding to criticism of that fact Herm Edwards pointedly read the letter from NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
informing the club of their playoff berth to reporters.
The Jets traveled to Qualcomm Stadium
to meet the resurgent 12-4 San Diego Chargers
in the AFC Wildcard round; the Jets clamped down on LaDanian Tomlinson and held the Chargers to 17 points; they forced overtime and broke a 17-all tie with a game-winning field goal by Doug Brien
. Now in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, the Jets traveled to Heinz Field
to face the 15-1 Pittsburgh Steelers
, unbeaten since a Week Two loss to Baltimore and riding the leadership of rookie Ben Roethlisberger
. The Jets once again clamped down on their opponent and despite giving up a fourth quarter touchdown forced two Roethlisberger interceptions, but Doug Brien's field goal tries late in the game failed. Getting the ball in overtime the Steelers drove downfield and ended the game on a Jeff Reed field goal, ending the Jets' best chance at a Super Bowl since 1998. The Steelers, however, had been exposed as vulnerable, and a week later in the AFC Championship Game
they were shredded 41-27 by the Patriots, who went on to victory in Super Bowl XXXIX
.
Injury once again plagued Pennington and 2005 was another lost year with a 4-12 Jets record and yet another season sweep by the Patriots; in a 16-3 win in Foxboro the Pats' Adam Vinatieri
passed Patriots legend Gino Cappelletti
for first on the team's all-time list for points scored. The Jets responded to the season by releasing Herm Edwards. Despite the sweep of the Jets, the Patriots fell to 10-6 and were bounced by the hated Denver Broncos
in the playoffs.
, Eric Mangini
was hired as a low-level assistant by the Cleveland Browns
, who had former Wesleyan football coach Kevin Spencer
on their coaching staff. Also a Wesleyan alumnus, Belichick, then head coach of the Browns, met Mangini in the Browns' 1995
training camp and promoted him to a coaching assistant. Belichick was fired after the season, and Mangini followed the Browns in their move to Baltimore in 1996
for a single season before re-joining Belichick with the Jets in 1997
. When Belichick was hired as head coach of the Patriots in 2000
, Mangini followed Belichick to New England, and was named defensive coordinator by the 2005
season. Following the season, the Patriots granted permission for Mangini to interview for the Jets' vacant head coaching position. The Jets hired Mangini and the Patriots locked Mangini out of Gillette Stadium
, not allowing him to retrieve his personal items.
, Mangini referred to Belichick as "a friend" in press conferences, while Belichick refused to use Mangini's name with the media. Earlier in the week, the Patriots had traded hold-out wide receiver Deion Branch
to the Seattle Seahawks
and filed tampering charges against the Jets for allegedly engaging in contract talks with Branch while he was still a member of the Patriots. The Jets were later cleared of the charges by the NFL. The Patriots went on to defeat the Jets in New York, but in November, the Jets handed the Patriots a loss in New England. The post-game on-field meeting between the two in both games was a topic of discussion, with some claiming their handshakes were intentionally cold and unfriendly. Following the loss the Patriots re-sodded Gillette Stadium
's deteriorated grass surface with Field Turf. The Patriots ran away 37-16 in a playoff
win over the Jets on the new surface, and following the game Belichick shoved Boston Globe photographer Jim Davis before reaching Mangini and hugging his former assistant.
, the Patriots won in a runaway, 38-14. The game was highlighted by the first touchdown catches by new Patriots wideouts Randy Moss
and Wes Welker
, and a 108-yard touchdown on the opening kick of the second half by Ellis Hobbs
, setting an NFL record for the longest kickoff return.
After the game, Belichick was accused by the Jets of authorizing his staff to film the Jets' defensive signals from an on-field location, a violation of league rules. The Jets filed a complaint to the league office, detailing the accusations. Two days later, Belichick issued a statement "to apologize to everyone who has been affected;" he also stated that he had spoken with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
about his "interpretation of the rule." On September 13, Belichick was personally fined $500,000, and the team was fined $250,000. Additionally, the Patriots were required to forfeit either their first-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
if they made the playoffs or their second and third-round selections if they did not.
Accusations of Jets also illegally videotaping the Patriots in their January 2007 playoff match-up arose following the incident. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum
called the accusations "completely false" in September 2007. In the week before the teams' December 16, 2007
game, Newsday
reported the Jets were found videotaping from the mezzanine level of Gillette Stadium
and asked to leave by Patriots security. The Jets later claimed they had been granted permission by the Patriots to film in the game, while Belichick denied permission was ever given.
The season rematch in Gillette Stadium
took place on a windy, rain-soaked day that kept scoring down; the Patriots nonetheless triumphed 20-10, the 14th consecutive win on their quest for a perfect season.
from the Pittsburgh Steelers
and quarterback Brett Favre
from the Green Bay Packers
. The two clubs met on September 14, 2008 at The Meadowlands
but the game's dynamic changed the week before when Tom Brady
was knocked out for the season with a torn ACL
against the Kansas City Chiefs
. Backup Matt Cassel
was forced to take over for Brady, and after leading the Patriots to a 17-10 win over the Chiefs Cassel made his first NFL start. Cassel was 16 of 23 for 165 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers; a Sammy Morris
rushing touchdown and four Stephen Gostkowski
field goals led the Patriots to a 19-10 win as Favre went 18 of 26 for 181 yards and a touchdown but threw a costly interception to Brandon Meriweather
, setting up Morris' score.
A bitterly-fought rematch occurred on Thursday Night Football
on November 13 at Gillette Stadium
. The Jets rushed to a 24-6 lead with five minutes to go in the second quarter and added a touchdown by Thomas Jones in the fourth, but Matt Cassel
exploded into a virtual one-man offense, throwing for 400 yards and three touchdowns with no picks while rushing for 64 yards. He threw touchdowns to Jabar Gaffney
with fifteen seconds left in the first half, to Benjamin Watson
on the final play of the third quarter (and a two-point conversion to Gaffney), and to Randy Moss
with one second left to force overtime. But the Jets drove down field in overtime, escaping a third-and-fifteen deep in their territory before Jay Feely
's 34-yard game-winning field goal and a 34-31 Jets final. The game was New England's first overtime loss since the 2000 season against the Bills
, while the win was the fourth in seven career meetings against the Patriots (his first win in his second meeting as Jets quarterback) by Favre.
The Jets win, though, did not help them in the homestretch of the season, for the Patriots rallied to win five of their last six games (including a 48-28 hammering of Miami
the following weekend) while the Jets lost four of their final six games. Both teams faced a do-or-die scenario on December 28; the Patriots traveled to Buffalo needing a win and a Jets win over Miami
to win the division; the Jets hosted the Dolphins needing a win and outside help to win the division or secure a Wild Card. The Jets-Dolphins game was flexed by the NFL from a 1 PM start to 4:15, so the Patriots' 13-0 shutout of Buffalo meant the Jets had to win and get a Jaguars
upset of Baltimore
simultaneously with their game in order to make the playoffs. The Jets rallied to lead 17-14 in the third quarter, but former Jet Chad Pennington
led the Dolphins to ten unanswered points and a 24-17 final. Miami thus won the AFC East
while New England became the first 11-5 non-playoff team since the '85 Broncos
and the Jets responded by firing coach Eric Mangini
.
as well as the first matchup between Bill Belichick
and former Baltimore Ravens
coordinator Rex Ryan
. In the week prior to the game, Ryan placed a phone message to all Jets season ticket holders asking them to "make it miserable for (Tom) Brady and company," following up on his comments during the offseason that he would not "kiss Bill Belichick's Super Bowl ring
s." He told the Jets fans that "the Patriots had a better head coach and a better quarterback," but that the game would decide "who has a better team." Meanwhile, Jets safety Kerry Rhodes
said the Jets intended on not just winning, but "embarrassing" the Patriots in the game, while nose tackle Kris Jenkins
called it the Jets' version of the Super Bowl
; the Jets had not defeated the Patriots at home since 2000
. In the end, the Jets defeated the Patriots 16-9 in the 100th overall meeting of the rivalry series.
The Patriots hosted the Jets on November 22 following a stunning last-minute loss in Indianapolis
and the Jets were defeated 31-14; Mark Sanchez
threw four interceptions, three of them to Leigh Bodden
. Randy Moss
caught a four-yard touchdown in the face of Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis
, who'd been talkative about matching up with Moss; Revis nonetheless held Moss to 34 yards over two games with the interception in the September matchup. Wes Welker
, inactive for Week Two, had 15 catches (one short of Troy Brown
's 2002 record against Kansas City
) for 197 yards.
the week before. Tom Brady
completed a six-yard touchdown to Wes Welker
and a 34 -yard score caught by Randy Moss
with one hand in the endzone; Moss nemesis Darrelle Revis
was injured on the play and left the game. But the Jets trailed only 14-10 at the half and after two interceptions of Brady Mark Sanchez
threw touchdowns to Jerricho Cotchery
and Dustin Keller
and the Jets led 28-14, a win sealed when former Dolphin Jason Taylor
strip-sacked Brady in Jets territory.
Two weeks after the game (and a day after the Jets hammered the Bills
38-14 while the Patriots massacred the Dolphins
41-14) the Patriots traded Moss to the Minnesota Vikings
and traded a draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks
for Deion Branch
. The Jets erupted after the win, winning eight of their next nine games while the Patriots likewise nailed down eight wins in their next nine games. When the two teams met at Gillette Stadium
on Monday Night Football
on December 6 their 9-2 records gave the game the sense of a playoff game; the Jets, however, never got untracked, as Nick Folk
missed a 53-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter, this following a Rex Ryan
challenge of a ball-spot that was denied. Brady found Branch and Brandon Tate
for touchdowns and BenJarvus Green-Ellis
ran in a one-yard score, leaving the Patriots up 24-3 at the half; from there on the Jets tried vainly to run the ball (five Jets backs combined for 152 rushing yards) while Sanchez was intercepted three times. Brady touchdowns to Welker and Aaron Hernandez
and a second Green-Ellis score finished up a 45-3 rout of the Jets, the biggest for the Patriots against the Jets since 2002's 44-7 win (During the Patriots dynasty several teams have suffered greater losses, including the Tennessee Titans
59-0 in 2009). Former Jet Danny Woodhead
, cut by the Jets despite prominent attention on the Hard Knocks
television series chronicling the Jets' 2010 preseason, caught four passes for 104 yards against his former team.
The Jets subsequently lost to the Dolphins
(a game marred when conditioning coach Sal Alosi
tripped Dolphins cornerback
Nolan Carroll
on a return and the Jets were fined by the league) and Bears
while winning on a dramatic goalline stand against the Steelers
and routing the Bills again. They thus made the playoffs as an 11-5 wildcard and stunned the Indianapolis Colts
on a last-minute drive ending in a Nick Folk
winning field goal. The win slotted the Jets into a Divisional Round playoff at Foxboro
against the 14-2 Patriots, who'd run the table since an ugly 34-14 loss at Cleveland
. It marks the third playoff matchup between the two teams but the first in a game other than the Wildcard round. Before their playoff matchup, the Jets' Antonio Cromartie
called Tom Brady "an asshole", claiming that he pointed at the Jets' sideline after throwing a touchdown pass during the Patriots' 45-3 win. The Jets won the Divisional Round game 28-21 on January 16th, 2011. After the game, the Patriots' Deion Branch
called the Jets post-game celebrations "classless".
with the Patriots 3-1 off a 31-19 victory over the Raiders
while the Jets were 2-2 after losses to the Raiders and to the Baltimore Ravens
. The Patriots clawed to a 10-7 lead at the half but a Tom Brady
throw to Aaron Hernandez
at the end of the half was intercepted by the Jets. The Patriots later clawed to a 27-14 lead but a Mark Sanchez
touchdown to Santonio Holmes
cut the lead to 27-21. The Patriots finished the game with a time-consuming drive with multple rushes by BenJarvus Green-Ellis
and a late field goal for a 30-21 win.
On November 13 the Jets hosted the Patriots at MetLife Stadium and in the second quarter took a 9-6 lead after Brady was flagged for intentional grounding in his own endzone; the Jets drove down field and Mark Sanchez
ran in a two-yard touchdown. The Patriots roared down the field after this and scored before the end of the half, then in the second half outscored the Jets 24-7; they sacked Sanchez five times and Rob Ninkovich
intercepted Sanchez and ran in a twelve-yard touchdown, finishing off a 37-16 New England win.
through 2008
, at least 50 players were also with both teams in the same period. Current Patriots defensive line coach Pepper Johnson
was also a player with the Jets under Parcells. Upon becoming Jets head coach in 2006
, Mangini hired former Jets and Patriots players Bryan Cox
and Rick Lyle
to his coaching staff, as well as former Patriot Sam Gash
, and retained former Patriots assistant strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul
. Former Patriots wide receiver
s coach Brian Daboll
spent seven seasons with the Patriots before leaving to become the Jets' quarterback
s coach in 2007
. When Daboll left with Mangini for the Cleveland Browns
, former Patriots quarterback Matt Cavanaugh
was named as Jets quarterbacks coach; ironically, in his playing days with the Patriots Cavanaugh was 0-2 against the Jets.
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!Name
!Position
!Years with Jets
!Years with Patriots
|-
|Titus Adams
|Defensive lineman
|2006*
|2008-2009
|-
|Chris Baker
|Tight end
|2002-08
|2009
|-
|Fred Baxter
|Tight end
|1993-2000
|2002-03
|-
|Jacob Bender
|Offensive lineman
|2007
|2008*
|-
|DeCori Birmingham
|Running back
|2005*
|2005*
|-
|Kyle Brady
|Tight end
|1995-98
|2007
|-
|Corwin Brown
|Safety
|1997-98
|1993-96
|-
|Kareem Brown
|Defensive lineman
|2007-08
|2007
|-
|Terrell Buckley
|Cornerback
|2004
|2001-02, 2004*
|-
|Keith Byars
|Fullback/Tight end
|1998
|1996-97
|-
|Matt Chatham
|Linebacker
|2006-2007
|2000-05
|-
|Anthony Clement
|Offensive tackle
|2006-2007
|2008
|-
|Fred Coleman
|Wide receiver
|2000*
|2001-02
|-
|Bryan Cox
|Linebacker
|1998-2000
|2001
|-
|Steve DeOssie
|Long snapper
|1993
|1994-95
|-
|Tim Dwight
|Wide receiver
|2006
|2005
|-
|Shaun Ellis
|Defensive end
|2000-10
|2011-present
|-
|Barry Gardner
|Linebacker
|2005
|2006
|-
|Chas Gessner
|Wide receiver
|2005*
|2003
|-
|Mike Gisler
|Guard/Center
|1998-99
|1993-97
|-
|Victor Green
|Defensive back
|1993-2001
|2002
|-
|Bobby Hamilton
|Defensive end
|1996-99, 2006
|2000-03
|-
|Artrell Hawkins
|Safety
|2008*
|2005-06
|-
|Chris Hayes
|Safety
|1997-2001
|2002
|-
|Victor Hobson
|Linebacker
|2003-2007
|2008*
|-
|Reggie Hodges
|Punter
|2008-09
|2008*
|-
|Rob Holmberg
|Linebacker
|1998
|2000-01
|-
|James Ihedigbo
|Safety
|2007-2010
|2011-present
|-
|Larry Izzo
|Linebacker
|2009
|2001-08
|-
|Olrick Johnson
|Linebacker
|1999
|2000
|-
|Kliff Kingsbury
|Quarterback
|2005
|2003
|-
|Ty Law
|Cornerback
|2005, 2008
|1995-2004
|-
|Courtney Ledyard
|Linebacker
|2000
|2003
|-
|Rick Lyle
|Defensive lineman
|1997-2001
|2002-03
|-
|Radell Lockhart
|Defensive end
|2005*
|2002*
|-
|Omare Lowe
|Defensive back
|2003
|2004
|-
|Ray Lucas
|Quarterback/Wide receiver
|1998-2000
|1996-97
|-
|Curtis Martin
|Running back
|1998-2005
|1995-97
|-
|Steve Martin
|Defensive tackle
|2001
|2002
|-
|Dave Meggett
|Running back/Kick returner
|1998
|1995-97
|-
|Giradie Mercer
|Defensive tackle
|2001-02
|2001*
|-
|Ray Mickens
|Cornerback
|1996-2003
|2006
|-
|Rashad Moore
|Defensive tackle
|2006
|2007
|-
|Earthwind Moreland
|Cornerback
|2000
|2004
|-
|Chad Morton
|Running back/Kick returner
|2001-02
|2005*
|-
|Marques Murrell
|Linebacker
|2007-09
|2010*
|-
|Leonard Myers
|Cornerback
|2003
|2001-02
|-
|Kevin O'Connell
|Quarterback
|2009-present
|2008
|-
|Clint Oldenburg
|Offensive tackle
|2007
|2007*
|-
|Roman Phifer
|Linebacker
|1999-2000
|2001-04
|-
|Anthony Pleasant
|Defensive end
|1998-99
|2001-03
|-
|Jason Pociask
|Tight end
|2006-07
|2008
|-
|Hank Poteat
|Cornerback
|2006-2008
|2004-06
|-
|Walter Rasby
|Tight end
|2006*
|2006*
|-
|Otis Smith
|Cornerback
|1995-96, 1997-99
|1996, 2000-02
|-
|Vinny Testaverde
|Quarterback
|1998-2003, 2005
|2006
|-
|Tom Tupa
|Punter/Quarterback
|1999-2001
|1996-98
|-
|Raymond Ventrone
|Defensive back
|2007*
|2005-6, 2007-8
|-
|Dedric Ward
|Wide receiver
|1997-2000
|2003
|-
|Jermaine Wiggins
|Tight end
|2000
|2000-01
|-
|Damien Woody
|Offensive lineman
|2008-present
|1999-2003
|-
|Danny Woodhead
|Running back/Wide receiver
|2008-10
|2010-present
|-
|colspan="8" align="center"|* indicates offseason or training camp only
|}
Connections between the two teams predated the Parcells-Belichick eras. Mike Holovak
coached the then-Boston Patriots 1961-68, going 5-10-1 against the Jets; he joined the Jets front office and in the 1976 season finale (a 42-3 rout by the Cincinnati Bengals
) was named interim head coach, replacing Lou Holtz
. Holovak was responsible for drafting players such as linebacker Greg Buttle
, defensive lineman Joe Klecko
of later New York Sack Exchange
fame, and quarterback Richard Todd for the Jets, but he quit the organization after the 1977 draft because he'd been passed over for the head coaching job by Walt Michaels
. Ironically, sixteen years later Holovak had to break up a fight between two assistant coaches as Houston Oilers GM, when the Oilers defeated the Jets in the 1993 season finale.
Mike Hickey
was an assistant personnel director for the Patriots under Chuck Fairbanks
before joining the Jets and running their drafts in the 1980s; Hickey has been criticized over the years for a number of personnel choices, none more controversial than his 1983 decision not to draft Dan Marino
.
Dick Steinberg was general manager of the Patriots in the 1980s but was released with coach Raymond Berry
after the 1989 season. Steinberg was hired as Jets GM for 1990, but he was blamed for poor draft picks, notably unproductive running back Blair Thomas
and quarterback Browning Nagle
, and for missing on drafting quarterback Brett Favre
after he tried to swing a draft-day deal with the Phoenix Cardinals only to have the Cardinals back out at the last minute.
Ron Erhardt
was a member of Chuck Fairbanks
' staff with the Patriots in the 1970s, and was elevated to head coach 1979-81; his Patriots squads went 3-3 against the Jets, including a 56-3 massacre of the Jets in September 1979. In 1996 he was hired as Jets offensive coordinator before retiring from football after the 1997 season; he was a notable target of the wrath of Keyshawn Johnson
in the rookie receiver's 1997 book "Just Give Me The Damn Ball."
Connections during the Belichick-Mangini Era include family connections. Derrick Gaffney
was a Jets wide receiver 1978-87; his son Jabar Gaffney
was a Patriots WR from 2006-8. Also, Joe Klecko
was part of the Jets' famous New York Sack Exchange
defensive line, while his son Dan Klecko
was a reserve player on the Patriots' defensive line and also played fullback on goal line pushes in their Super Bowl
dynasty.
The two teams share bitter rivalries with their divisional rivals Buffalo
and Miami
as well as with the Raiders
and the Colts
and from time to time have needed or wanted help from each other in key games; in 2001 the Patriots needed a Jets victory over the Raiders
in the season finale to lock up the AFC East
while the Jets needed the win to secure a playoff berth; in 2002 the Jets needed a Patriots win over Miami to make the playoffs; in 2009 it was the Jets who ended the quest of Indianapolis for a perfect season two years after New England went 16-0. The two teams have also shared bitter playoff moments involving referee Ben Dreith
; Dreith officiated New England's controversial 1976 playoff loss to the Oakland Raiders
and also was referee in the Jets' 1986 playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns; he was criticized by Jets players defending teammate Mark Gastineau
following his controversial hit on Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar
.
As noted above, games between the two teams have often played out the rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball. During games between the two teams, there are derogatory chants made at the Red Sox during games at the Meadowlands and at the Yankees during games in New England.
|-style="text-align:center;"
!colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background-color: ;"|New York Jets–New England Patriots
|-
{|style="background: none; width: 20em; margin: 0 auto;"
|-
!style="background: #E0E7EF;" colspan="2"|Regular Season History
|-
|First Meeting||September 17, 1960
|-
|First Result||BOS 28, NYT 24
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Last Meeting||November 13, 2011
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Last Result||NE 37, NYJ 16
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Next Meeting|| TBD
TBD
TBD is an abbreviation often meaning in ordinary writing "to be discussed" "to be done", "to be defined", "to be decided", "to be determined", etc...
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Rivalry status||103 meetings
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Largest victory||NE 56, NYJ 3
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Smallest victory||NYT 21, BOS 20
NYJ 27, NE 26
NE 14, NYJ 13
NYJ 27, NE 26
NYJ 20, NE 19
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|Current Streak||Patriots W2
(2011-present)
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|All-Time Series||Patriots lead 53-52-1
|-
!style="background: #E0E7EF;" colspan="2"|Post Season History
|-
|Last Meeting||January 16, 2011
|-
|Last Result||NYJ 28, NE 21
|-
|Next Meeting||TBA
|-
|style="vertical-align: top;"|All-Time Postseason Series||Patriots lead 2-1
|-
!style="background: #E0E7EF;" colspan="2"|Playoff and Championship Success
|-
{|class="infobox" style="font-size:90%; width:100%; border:0px;"
|-
|colspan="2"|AFL Championships (1)
- Jets (1) – 1968
- Patriots (0) – none
Super Bowl Championships
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
(4)
- Jets (1) – 1968Super Bowl IIISuper Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
- Patriots (3) – 2001Super Bowl XXXVISuper Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
, 2003Super Bowl XXXVIIISuper Bowl XXXVIII was an American football game played on February 1, 2004 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas to decide the National Football League champion following the 2003 regular season....
, 2004Super Bowl XXXIXSuper Bowl XXXIX was an American football game played on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 2004 regular season...
Super Bowl Appearances (7)
- Jets (1) – 1968Super Bowl IIISuper Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
- Patriots (6) – 1985Super Bowl XXSuper Bowl XX was an American football championship game played on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1985 regular season...
, 1996Super Bowl XXXISuper Bowl XXXI was an American football game played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1996 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American...
, 2001Super Bowl XXXVISuper Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
, 2003Super Bowl XXXVIIISuper Bowl XXXVIII was an American football game played on February 1, 2004 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas to decide the National Football League champion following the 2003 regular season....
, 2004Super Bowl XXXIXSuper Bowl XXXIX was an American football game played on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 2004 regular season...
, 2007Super Bowl XLIISuper Bowl XLII was an American football game on February 3, 2008 that featured the National Football Conference champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League champion for the 2007 season...
AFL Eastern Division Championships (3)
- Jets (2) – 19681968 American Football League seasonThe 1968 American Football League season was the ninth regular season of the American Football League, and its penultimate season prior to the AFL-NFL Merger....
, 19691969 American Football League seasonThe 1969 American Football League season was the tenth regular season of the American Football League, and the last one before the AFL-NFL Merger... - Patriots (1) – 19631963 American Football League seasonThe 1963 American Football League season was the fourth regular season of the American Football League.The season ended when the San Diego Chargers defeated the Boston Patriots in the AFL Championship game.-Division Races:...
AFC East Divisional Championships
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
(14)
- Jets (2) – 19981998 NFL seasonThe 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS...
, 20022002 NFL seasonThe 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each... - Patriots (12) – 19781978 NFL seasonThe 1978 NFL season was the 59th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded the regular season from a 14-game schedule to 16. Furthermore, the playoff format was expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams by adding another wild card from each conference...
, 19861986 NFL seasonThe 1986 NFL season was the 67th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXI when the New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos to win their first league title in 30 years.-Major rule changes:...
, 19961996 NFL seasonThe 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League and the season was marked by notable controversies from beginning to end...
, 19971997 NFL seasonThe 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Oilers relocated from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee...
, 20012001 NFL seasonThe 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
, 20032003 NFL season-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
, 20042004 NFL seasonThe 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
, 20052005 NFL seasonThe 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
, 20062006 NFL seasonThe 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, 20072007 NFL seasonThe 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
, 20092009 NFL seasonThe 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
, 20102010 NFL seasonThe 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
AFC Wild Card Berths
Wild card (sports)
The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
(14)
- Jets (9) – 19811981 NFL seasonThe 1981 NFL season was the 62nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVI when the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.-Major rule changes:...
, 19821982 NFL seasonThe 1982 NFL season was the 63rd regular season of the National Football League. A 57-day long players' strike reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule per team to an abbreviated nine game schedule...
, 19851985 NFL seasonThe 1985 NFL season was the 66th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XX when the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots.-Major rule changes:...
, 19861986 NFL seasonThe 1986 NFL season was the 67th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXI when the New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos to win their first league title in 30 years.-Major rule changes:...
, 19911991 NFL seasonThe 1991 NFL season was the 72nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXVI when the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills....
, 20012001 NFL seasonThe 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
, 20042004 NFL seasonThe 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
, 20062006 NFL seasonThe 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, 20092009 NFL seasonThe 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
, 20102010 NFL seasonThe 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,... - Patriots (5) – 19761976 NFL seasonThe 1976 NFL season was the 57th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 28 teams with the addition of the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
, 19821982 NFL seasonThe 1982 NFL season was the 63rd regular season of the National Football League. A 57-day long players' strike reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule per team to an abbreviated nine game schedule...
, 19851985 NFL seasonThe 1985 NFL season was the 66th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XX when the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots.-Major rule changes:...
, 19941994 NFL seasonThe 1994 NFL season was the 75th regular season of the National Football League. To honor the NFL's 75th season, a special anniversary logo was designed and each player wore a patch on their jerseys with this logo throughout the season...
, 19981998 NFL seasonThe 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS...
|}
The New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
–New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
rivalry is a rivalry between two franchises in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. The teams both play in the AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
, and play two scheduled games each season as a result.
Games between the two teams have often played out the fierce rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, as the cities of New York City and Boston are approximately hours apart by car.
Rivalry statistics
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"|-
!
!Patriots wins
!Ties
!Jets wins
!Patriots points
!Jets points
|-
|Regular season
|50
|1
|51
|2,206
|2,124
|-
|Postseason
|2
|
|1
|84
|58
|-
!Total
!52
!1
!52
!2,269
!2,154
|-
|}
Game results
The following is a list of results from all of the meetings between the New York Jets/Titans and Boston/New England Patriots from their first meeting on September 17, 1960 to the present:{|class="wikitable"
|bgcolor="#CCFFFF"|
|bgcolor="#FFCCCC"|
|bgcolor="#FFE6BD"|
|}
1960s (AFL, Jets 12-7-1)
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|1960
1960 American Football League season
The 1960 American Football League season was the inaugural regular season of the American Football League.The season ended when the Houston Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the inaugural AFL Championship game.-Division races:...
|September 17
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|28–24
|New York Titans
|Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
|-
|November 11
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|38–21
|New York Titans
|Nickerson Field
Nickerson Field
Nickerson Field is a stadium on the site of Braves Field, in Boston, Massachusetts, the former home of the National League Boston Braves baseball team which is now located in Atlanta...
|-
|rowspan="2"|1961
1961 American Football League season
The 1961 American Football League season was the second regular season of the American Football League. The Los Angeles Chargers moved to San Diego, California following the 1960 season, retaining the Chargers name....
|September 9
|New York Titans
|align="center"|21–20
|Boston Patriots
|Nickerson Field
|-
|October 1
|New York Titans
|align="center"|37–30
|Boston Patriots
|Polo Grounds
|-
|rowspan="2"|1962
1962 American Football League season
The 1962 American Football League season was the third regular season of the American Football League. The Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City, Missouri following the season and changed their name to the Kansas City Chiefs....
|October 6
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|43–13
|New York Titans
|Polo Grounds
|-
|November 30
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|24–17
|New York Titans
|Nickerson Field
|-
|rowspan="2"|1963
1963 American Football League season
The 1963 American Football League season was the fourth regular season of the American Football League.The season ended when the San Diego Chargers defeated the Boston Patriots in the AFL Championship game.-Division Races:...
|September 8
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|38–14
|New York Jets
|Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
|-
|October 5
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–24
|Boston Patriots
|Polo Grounds
|-
|rowspan="2"|1964
1964 American Football League season
The 1964 American Football League season was the fifth regular season of the American Football League.The season ended when the Buffalo Bills defeated the San Diego Chargers in the AFL Championship game...
|September 27
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|26–10
|New York Jets
|Fenway Park
|-
|October 31
|New York Jets
|align="center"|35–14
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
Shea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
|-
|rowspan="2"|1965
1965 American Football League season
The 1965 American Football League season was the sixth regular season of the American Football League.The season also saw a change of television address as the games moved from ABC to NBC....
|November 14
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–20
|Boston Patriots
|Fenway Park
|-
|November 28
|Boston Patriots
|align="center"|27–23
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
|rowspan="2"|1966
1966 American Football League season
The 1966 American Football League season was the seventh regular season of the American Football League, and one of the last before the AFL-NFL Merger. The league entered talks with the National Football League regarding a merger, which would take effect fully in 1970.The season also saw the debut...
|October 2
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–24
|Boston Patriots
|Fenway Park
|-
|December 17
|New York Jets
|align="center"|38–28
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1967
1967 American Football League season
The 1967 American Football League season was the eighth regular season of the American Football League, and one of the last before the AFL-NFL Merger....
|October 29
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–23
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|November 19
|New York Jets
|align="center"|29–24
|Boston Patriots
|Fenway Park
|-
|rowspan="2"|1968
1968 American Football League season
The 1968 American Football League season was the ninth regular season of the American Football League, and its penultimate season prior to the AFL-NFL Merger....
|September 22
|New York Jets
|align="center"|47–31
|Boston Patriots
|Legion Field
Legion Field
Legion Field is a large stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, primarily designed to be used as a venue for American football, but is occasionally used for other large outdoor events. The stadium is named in honor of the American Legion, a U.S. organization of military veterans. At its peak...
|-
|October 27
|New York Jets
|align="center"|48–14
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1969
1969 American Football League season
The 1969 American Football League season was the tenth regular season of the American Football League, and the last one before the AFL-NFL Merger...
|October 5
|New York Jets
|align="center"|23–14
|Boston Patriots
|Alumni Stadium
Alumni Stadium
Alumni Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, approximately sixmiles west of downtown Boston. The stadium lies within the city limits of Boston, although its postal address is Chestnut Hill. It is the home of the Boston College Eagles...
|-
|October 26
|New York Jets
|align="center"|23–17
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|}
1970s (Jets 12-8)
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|1970
1970 NFL season
The 1970 NFL season was the 51st regular season of the National Football League, and the first one after the AFL-NFL Merger.The merger forced a realignment between the combined league's clubs. Because there were 16 NFL teams and 10 AFL teams, three teams needed to transfer to balance the two new...
|September 27
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–21
|Boston Patriots
|Harvard Stadium
Harvard Stadium
Harvard Stadium is a horseshoe-shaped football stadium in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Built in 1903, the stadium seats 30,323. The stadium seated up to 57,166 in the past, as permanent steel stands were installed in the north end of the stadium in 1929...
|-
|November 22
|New York Jets
|align="center"|17–3
|Boston Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1971
1971 NFL season
The 1971 NFL season was the 52nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl VI when the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Miami Dolphins...
|October 10
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–0
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
|-
|December 12
|New York Jets
|align="center"|13–6
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1972
1972 NFL season
The 1972 NFL season was the 53rd regular season of the National Football League. The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to finish a championship season undefeated and untied when they beat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.-Major rule changes:...
|October 15
|New York Jets
|align="center"|41–13
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|October 29
|New York Jets
|align="center"|34–10
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1973
1973 NFL season
The 1973 NFL season was the 54th regular season of the National Football League. The season featured O.J. Simpson becoming the first man to rush for 2,000 yards in one season...
|October 14
|New York Jets
|align="center"|9–7
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|November 11
|New York Jets
|align="center"|33–13
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1974
1974 NFL season
The 1974 NFL season was the 55th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl IX when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings...
|October 13
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–0
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-
|November 17
|New York Jets
|align="center"|21–16
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1975
1975 NFL season
The 1975 NFL season was the 56th regular season of the National Football League. It was also the first time that featured an entire season with no games ending in a tie. The league made two significant changes to increase the appeal of the game:...
|October 5
|New York Jets
|align="center"|36–7
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|December 7
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–28
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1976
1976 NFL season
The 1976 NFL season was the 57th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 28 teams with the addition of the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
|October 18
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|41–7
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|November 21
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|38–24
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1977
1977 NFL season
The 1977 NFL season was the 58th regular season of the National Football League. The Seattle Seahawks were placed in the AFC West while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were slotted in the NFC Central....
|October 2
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–27
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|October 30
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–13
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1978
1978 NFL season
The 1978 NFL season was the 59th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded the regular season from a 14-game schedule to 16. Furthermore, the playoff format was expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams by adding another wild card from each conference...
|October 29
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|55–21
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|November 19
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|19–17
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1979
1979 NFL season
The 1979 NFL season was the 60th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XIV when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams...
|September 9
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|56–3
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|December 9
|New York Jets
|align="center"|27–26
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|}
1980s (Patriots 12-8)
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|1980
1980 NFL season
The 1980 NFL season was the 61st regular season of the National Football League.After the league declined to approve the proposed move by the Raiders from Oakland, California to Los Angeles, the team along with the Los Angeles Coliseum sued the NFL for violating antitrust laws...
|October 5
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|21–11
|New York Jets
|Shea Stadium
|-
|November 2
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|34–21
|New York Jets
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1981
1981 NFL season
The 1981 NFL season was the 62nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVI when the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.-Major rule changes:...
|October 11
|New York Jets
|align="center"|28–24
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|November 15
|New York Jets
|align="center"|17–6
|New England Patriots
|Schaefer Stadium
|-
|rowspan="1"|1982
1982 NFL season
The 1982 NFL season was the 63rd regular season of the National Football League. A 57-day long players' strike reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule per team to an abbreviated nine game schedule...
|September 19
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–7
|New England Patriots
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1983
1983 NFL season
The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins.-Major rule changes:...
|September 18
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|23–13
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|November 27
|New York Jets
|align="center"|26–3
|New England Patriots
|Shea Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1984
1984 NFL season
The 1984 NFL season was the 65th regular season of the National Football League. The Colts relocated from Baltimore, Maryland to Indianapolis, Indiana....
|September 30
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|28–21
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
|-
|October 28
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|30–20
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1985
1985 NFL season
The 1985 NFL season was the 66th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XX when the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots.-Major rule changes:...
|October 20
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–13
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-bgcolor="#FFE6BD"
|November 24
|New York Jets
|align="center"|16–13 (OT)
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-bgcolor="#CCFFFF"
|1985
NFL playoffs, 1985-86
The NFL playoffs following the 1985 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XX.Because the Jets and Giants both used Giants Stadium as their home field, the two wild card playoff games were held on different days.-AFC: New England Patriots 26, New York Jets 14:...
|December 28
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|26–14
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1986
1986 NFL season
The 1986 NFL season was the 67th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXI when the New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos to win their first league title in 30 years.-Major rule changes:...
|September 11
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–6
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|October 12
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–24
|New England Patriots
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1987
1987 NFL season
The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players...
|September 21
|New York Jets
|align="center"|43–24
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 13
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|42–20
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1988
1988 NFL season
The 1988 NFL season was the 69th regular season of the National Football League. The Cardinals relocated from St. Louis, Missouri to the Phoenix, Arizona area becoming the Phoenix Cardinals but remained in the NFC East division....
|September 4
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|28–3
|New York Jets
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|November 13
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|14–13
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1989
1989 NFL season
The 1989 NFL season was the 70th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle announced his retirement...
|September 10
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|27–24
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 5
|New York Jets
|align="center"|27–26
|New England Patriots
|Sullivan Stadium
|-
|}
1990s (Jets 11-9)
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|1990
1990 NFL season
The 1990 NFL season was the 71st regular season of the National Football League. To increase revenue, the league changed the regular season so that all NFL teams would play their 16-game schedule over a 17-week period...
|September 30
|New York Jets
|align="center"|37–13
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|December 23
|New York Jets
|align="center"|42–7
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1991
1991 NFL season
The 1991 NFL season was the 72nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXVI when the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills....
|November 17
|New York Jets
|align="center"|28–21
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|December 15
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|6–3
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1992
1992 NFL season
The 1992 NFL season was the 73rd regular season of the National Football League.Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the New England Patriots–Miami Dolphins game that was scheduled for September 6 at Joe Robbie Stadium was rescheduled to October 18. Both teams originally had that...
|October 4
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–27
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 22
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–3
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1993
1993 NFL season
The 1993 NFL season was the 74th regular season of the National Football League. For the first time in league history, all NFL teams played their 16-game schedule over a span of 18 weeks. After the success of expanding the regular season to a period of 17 weeks in 1990, the league hoped this new...
|September 26
|New York Jets
|align="center"|45–7
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 28
|New York Jets
|align="center"|6–0
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1994
1994 NFL season
The 1994 NFL season was the 75th regular season of the National Football League. To honor the NFL's 75th season, a special anniversary logo was designed and each player wore a patch on their jerseys with this logo throughout the season...
|October 16
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–17
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 4
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–13
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1995
1995 NFL season
The 1995 NFL season was the 76th regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 30 teams with the addition of the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars...
|November 5
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–7
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 10
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|31–28
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1996
1996 NFL season
The 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League and the season was marked by notable controversies from beginning to end...
|November 10
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|31–27
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 8
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|34–10
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-bgcolor="#FFE6BD"
|rowspan="2"|1997
1997 NFL season
The 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Oilers relocated from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee...
|September 14
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|27–24 (OT)
|New York Jets
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|October 19
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–19
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1998
1998 NFL season
The 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS...
|October 19
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–14
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|December 27
|New York Jets
|align="center"|31–10
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|1999
1999 NFL season
The 1999 NFL season was the 80th regular season of the National Football League. The Cleveland Browns returned to the field for the first time since the 1995 season...
|September 12
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|30–28
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 15
|New York Jets
|align="center"|24–17
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|}
2000s (Patriots 14-7)
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="2"|2000
2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
|September 11
|New York Jets
|align="center"|20–19
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|October 15
|New York Jets
|align="center"|34–17
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2001
2001 NFL season
The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League.Following a pattern set in 1999, the first week of the season was permanently moved to the weekend following Labor Day...
|September 23
|New York Jets
|align="center"|10–3
|New England Patriots
|Foxboro Stadium
|-
|December 2
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|17–16
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2002
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
|September 15
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|44–7
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 22
|New York Jets
|align="center"|30–17
|New England Patriots
|Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
|-
|rowspan="2"|2003
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
|September 21
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|23–16
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|December 20
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|21–16
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2004
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
|October 24
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|13–7
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|December 26
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|23–7
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2005
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
|December 4
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|16–3
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|December 26
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|31–21
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2006
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
|September 17
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|24–17
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 12
|New York Jets
|align="center"|17–14
|New England Patriots
|Gillette Stadium
|-bgcolor="#CCFFFF"
|2007
NFL playoffs, 2006-07
The National Football League playoffs for the 2006 season began on January 6, 2007 and led up to Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.-AFC: Indianapolis Colts 23, Kansas City Chiefs 8:...
|January 7
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|37–16
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2007
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
|September 9
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|38–14
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-
|December 16
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|20–10
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
|September 14
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|19–10
|New York Jets
|Giants Stadium
|-bgcolor="#FFE6BD"
|November 13
|New York Jets
|align="center"|34–31 (OT)
|New England Patriots
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="2"|2009
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
|September 20
|New York Jets
|align="center"|16–9
|New England Patriots
|Giants Stadium
|-
|November 22
|New England Patriots
|align="center"|31–14
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|}
2010s (Patriots 3-2)
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
!Year
!Date
!Winner
!Result
!Loser
!Location
|-
|rowspan="3"|2010
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
|September 19
|New York Jets
|align=center|28-14
|New England Patriots
|New Meadowlands Stadium
New Meadowlands Stadium
MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home...
|-
|December 6
|New England Patriots
|align=center|45-3
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-bgcolor="#CCFFFF"
|January 16
|New York Jets
|align=center|28-21
|New England Patriots
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|rowspan="4"|2011
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
|October 9
|New England Patriots
|align=center|30-21
|New York Jets
|Gillette Stadium
|-
|November 13
|New England Patriots
|align=center|37-16
|New York Jets
|MetLife Stadium
|}
September 17, 1960
In the two clubs' very first meeting, the New York Titans hosted the Boston Patriots at New York's Polo GroundsPolo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
. Al Dorow
Al Dorow
Albert Richard "Al" Dorow was an American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback. He played collegiately for Michigan State and professionally in the National Football League and the American Football League....
of the Titans erupted to three touchdown throws and led the Titans to a 24-7 lead in the third quarter. But Butch Songin
Butch Songin
Edward F. "Butch" Songin is a former quarterback for the Boston College Eagles, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Rugby Union, and for the American Football League's Boston Patriots and New York Titans...
and 109 rushing yards by Patriots runners clawed Boston back to trail 24-21 in the fourth quarter, then Chuck Shonta
Chuck Shonta
Charles "Chuck" Shonta is a former college and professional American football defensive back. He attended Eastern Michigan University and played football there. In 1960 he joined the Boston Patriots of the upstart American Football League...
finished off the Titans when punter Rick Sapienza fumbled the snap. The ball bounced around wildly until Chuck Shonta
Chuck Shonta
Charles "Chuck" Shonta is a former college and professional American football defensive back. He attended Eastern Michigan University and played football there. In 1960 he joined the Boston Patriots of the upstart American Football League...
picked up the ball at the 25 and ran in for a touchdown. The Titans complained that linebacker Jack Rudolph
Jack Rudolph (American football)
Jack Rudolph was a professional American football player who played linebacker for six seasons for the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins.-References:...
had kicked the ball, which was illegal, during the chase for the ball but the play stood.
October 2, 1966
The then-Boston Patriots tied the Jets 24-24 at Fenway ParkFenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
, for the only dead-heat in the rivalry's history. The Patriots led 24-7 after three quarters but two Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
touchdowns and a Jim Turner field goal tied the game. It would also be the last time the Patriots did not lose to the Jets until October 1971.
December 17, 1966
The Jets knocked the Patriots out of the playoffs in Shea StadiumShea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
as three Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
touchdown throws (including a 77-yard strike to George Sauer, Jr.
George Sauer, Jr.
George Sauer, Jr. is a former professional American football wide receiver who played six seasons for the American Football League's New York Jets. He led the AFL in receptions in the 1967 season. In 1968, he started for the Jets in the third AFL-NFL World Championship Game, helping defeat the...
) led the Jets to a 38-28 win, despite Vito Parilli throwing for 379 yards.
1974 season
It was a tale of two season halves. On October 13 at Shea StadiumShea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
the Patriots shut out the now-1-4 Jets 24-0 as Sam Cunningham
Sam Cunningham
Samuel Lewis "Sam" Cunningham, Jr is a retired American football fullback. The media referred to him as Sam "Bam" Cunningham.-College career:...
rushed in two touchdowns and Bob Geddes ran back a Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
interception for a 23-yard touchdown; the win was New England's fifth straight in 1974 and first over the Jets since October 10, 1971. Five weeks later on November 17 at Schaefer Stadium the Jets, fresh off a dramatic victory over the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, rolled to a 21-16 win as Namath threw two touchdowns and Jim Plunkett
Jim Plunkett
James William "Jim" Plunkett is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Stanford University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and professionally for three National Football League teams: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. ...
was picked off four times. The win put the Jets at 3-7 as they finished the season with a six-game winning streak while the Patriots fell to 7-7.
October 18, 1976
The Patriots hosted the Jets on Monday Night FootballMonday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
, which was unofficially renamed "Monday Night Madness" when the rowdiness of drunken fans at Schaefer Stadium led to mass arrests by local police and the cuffing of fans to a chain-link fence when other space became unavailable. The Jets were stampeded by running backs Andy Johnson
Andy Johnson (American football)
Andy Johnson , is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League during the 1970s.-Education:...
, Don Calhoun
Don Calhoun
Donald Clevester Calhoun is a former professional American football running back who played for nine seasons in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
, and Sam Cunningham
Sam Cunningham
Samuel Lewis "Sam" Cunningham, Jr is a retired American football fullback. The media referred to him as Sam "Bam" Cunningham.-College career:...
and quarterback Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
as they amassed 330 rushing yards and five touchdowns, one of them a fumble recovered by Grogan in the second quarter. Grogan also completed a short touchdown pass to Johnson, culminating in a 41-7 Patriots rout.
November 21, 1976
Hosting the Patriots at Shea StadiumShea Stadium
William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
, the Jets set an unofficial record for passing inefficiency as the Patriots wiped out a 10-0 first quarter gap and exploded to a 38-24 win. Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
threw six interceptions; Mike Haynes had three interceptions, Tim Fox
Tim Fox
Timothy Richard Fox is a former American Football safety who played for the New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1986....
had one, and Prentice McCray
Prentice McCray
Prentice Marcellus McCray, Jr. is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 8th round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.McCray also played for the New England Patriots.-External links:*...
had two of his own and scored with them (a 63-yard score and a 55-yard score), while backup Richard Todd threw a seventh interception (to cornerback Bob Howard) in the fourth quarter; the Jets also coughed up three fumbles. Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
passes to Andy Johnson
Andy Johnson (American football)
Andy Johnson , is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League during the 1970s.-Education:...
, Darryl Stingley
Darryl Stingley
Darryl Floyd Stingley was an American professional football wide receiver whose career was cut short by an injury. He played his entire career with the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He died from heart disease and pneumonia complicated by quadriplegia.-Early life:Stingley...
, and Pete Brock
Pete Brock (American football)
Peter Anthony Brock was a center and guard who played twelve professional seasons with the National Football League's New England Patriots. Brock attended the University of Colorado...
and a John Smith
John Smith (American football)
John Michael Smith is an English-born retired American football placekicker. He made his professional debut with the New England Patriots in 1974, remaining with the team until 1983...
field goal accounted for the remaining Patriots' points.
October 29, 1978
In a bizarre harbinger of Spygate, the Patriots hosted the Jets and erupted to a 48-7 third quarter lead, ultimately winning 55-21. Jets coach Walt MichaelsWalt Michaels
Walt Michaels was a former professional football player and coach who is best remembered for his six-year tenure as head coach of the NFL's New York Jets from 1977-1982.-Collegiate and early NFL career:...
felt the Patriots were somehow decifering his coaching staff's signals and suspected a rival team had told these codes to the Patriots. Michaels stewed afterward, "This will never happen to us again. I know what they did, but by the time we figured it out, it was too late." Later that season the Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
erased a 23-0 gap to beat the Patriots 26-23, and there was speculation the Jets had told Oilers coaches about Patriots codes.
September 9, 1979
Steve GroganSteve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
set a Patriots record with five touchdown throws in a 56-3 Patriots massacre of the Jets at Schaefer Stadium; his touchdown record stood until Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
broke it against the Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 2007. Following the game a scuffle ensued in the crowded locker room between cornerback Raymond Clayborn
Raymond Clayborn
Raymond DeWayne Clayborn , is a former American Football cornerback who played for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns in the NFL. Before his NFL career, he played for the University of Texas at Austin.Clayborn had a superb career with the Patriots, making the Pro Bowl 3 times...
and Boston Globe writer Will McDonough
Will McDonough
William "Will" McDonough was an American sportswriter for the Boston Globe.-Biography:McDonough attended the English High School of Boston, where he starred in baseball as a pitcher and in football as a quarterback...
. Harold Jackson
Harold Jackson
Harold Jackson may refer to:*Harold Jackson , received the Victoria Cross in World War I*Harold Jackson , professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League...
caught three passes, all for touchdowns. Stanley Morgan
Stanley Morgan
Stanley Douglas Morgan is a former NFL wide receiver who played for the New England Patriots. Morgan was selected out of the University of Tennessee in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft . He also played one season for the Indianapolis Colts in 1990...
caught two, and Andy Johnson, Allan Clark
Allan Clark
Allan Vincent Clark is a former American football running back in the National Football League who played for the New England Patriots, the Green Bay Packers, and the Buffalo Bills. Clark played collegiate ball for Northern Arizona University before being drafted by the New England Patriots in...
and Don Westbrook
Don Westbrook
Don Westbrook is a former wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League....
also scored a touchdown each.
December 9, 1979
During halftime a Jets win at Shea Stadium, a man from Nashua, New HampshireNashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
was injured and later died after he was struck by a radio-controlled flying lawnmower that stalled in mid-air and crashed into the stands.
September 30, 1984
New England made its first trip to The MeadowlandsGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
at 2-2 to face the 3-1 Jets. Jets cornerback Bobby Jackson
Bobby Jackson (cornerback)
Robert Charles "Bobby" Jackson is a former cornerback for the National Football League New York Jets, retiring with 21 career interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries....
popped his right hamstring during morning stretching and was lost for the year; coach Joe Walton
Joe Walton
Joseph Frank Walton is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Robert Morris University. Walton played eight seasons in the National Football League and served as head coach of the New York Jets for seven seasons...
replaced him with Davlin Mullen, but the Patriots behind 354 passing yards by Tony Eason
Tony Eason
Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason, IV is a former quarterback. He played college football for the University of Illinois and professional football for the New England Patriots and New York Jets .-Early years:Eason grew up in Walnut Grove, California, and attended Delta High School in Clarksburg,...
rolled to a 28-21 win; following three unanswered Patriots scores in the second half Mullen was benched by Walton for rookie Russell Carter
Russell Carter
Russell Carter is a former professional American football player who played safety for six seasons for the New York Jets and the Los Angeles Raiders....
.
October 28, 1984
Following a 44-21 rout by the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Patriots coach Ron Meyer
Ron Meyer
-References:...
fired assistant coach Rod Rust
Rod Rust
Rodney A. Rust is a former American football player and coach. He is best known in the United States as the coach of the New England Patriots of the National Football League during the 1990 season, which ended with a 1–15 record....
, but he did not have the authority to do so and was fired himself. Raymond Berry
Raymond Berry
Raymond Emmett Berry is a former football wide receiver. He played for the Baltimore Colts during their two NFL championship wins. He later had a career in coaching, highlighted by his trip to Super Bowl XX as head coach of the New England Patriots...
, an assistant with Chuck Fairbanks
Chuck Fairbanks
Chuck Fairbanks is a former American football coach, a head coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. The offensive and defensive systems he introduced and helped develop have proven influential in the NFL....
and Ron Erhardt
Ron Erhardt
Ron Erhardt is a former football coach at both the collegiate and professional levels, and from 1979-1981 served as head coach of the National Football League's New England Patriots.-College assistant and high school head coach:...
, was hired, and his first game was against the Jets. The Jets bolted to a 10-0 lead and then led 20-6 at the half, but the Patriots led by running back Craig James fought back and scored 24 unanswered points by Tony Franklin, James, Tony Eason
Tony Eason
Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason, IV is a former quarterback. He played college football for the University of Illinois and professional football for the New England Patriots and New York Jets .-Early years:Eason grew up in Walnut Grove, California, and attended Delta High School in Clarksburg,...
, Tony Collins
Tony Collins
Anthony Collins is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League and the Arena Football League.-Early years:...
, and Stephen Starring
Stephen Starring
Stephen Starring is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for six seasons for the New England Patriots, the Detroit Lions, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
for a 30-20 Patriots win. Collins later said Berry earned the respect of the locker room in that one weekend.
December 28, 1985
In the first ever playoff meeting between the two clubs, the Patriots traveled to Giants StadiumGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
, surrendered a 7-3 gap in the second quarter, then erupted to 23 points in a 26-14 win, the team's first playoff win since beating the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in a 1963 elimination game to decide the AFL's Eastern Division champ for the 1963 AFL Championship game.
October 12, 1986
The 4-1 Jets traveled to Sullivan StadiumFoxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
to take on the 3-2 Patriots and the ensuing game saw memorable performances by Jets running back Johnny Hector
Johnny Hector
Johnny Lyndell Hector , was a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 200 lb. running back from Texas A&M, Hector played 10 NFL seasons for the New York Jets from 1983-1992...
and Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
, who was replacing oft-injured starter Tony Eason
Tony Eason
Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason, IV is a former quarterback. He played college football for the University of Illinois and professional football for the New England Patriots and New York Jets .-Early years:Eason grew up in Walnut Grove, California, and attended Delta High School in Clarksburg,...
. Hector rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns as the Jets erupted to a 24-0 halftime lead, but Grogan, throwing for 401 yards and three scores, led a furious Patriots comeback, but with the Jets holding a tenuous 31-24 led with one minute remaining, Grogan completed a 31-yard strike to Irving Fryar
Irving Fryar
Irving Dale Fryar is a former American football wide receiver of the National Football League.Fryar grew up in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey and played high school football at Rancocas Valley Regional High School...
across midfield, but when Fryar was hit by Jets defenders he fumbled the ball to the Jets, securing the Jets win.
1987 season
Runaway wins were the order of the year. In September on Monday Night FootballMonday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
the Jets dominated the Patriots 43-24 in Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
behind scores by Johnny Hector
Johnny Hector
Johnny Lyndell Hector , was a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 200 lb. running back from Texas A&M, Hector played 10 NFL seasons for the New York Jets from 1983-1992...
, Al Toon
Al Toon
Albert Lee Toon, Jr. is a former professional American football player. He was selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round of the 1985 NFL Draft...
, and Nuu Faaola
Nuu Faaola
Nu'u Fa'aola is a former running back of Samoan ancestry who played in the National Football League from 1986 to 1989. He played for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins primarily on special teams after playing collegiately at the University of Hawaii...
. In the December rematch in Sullivan Stadium the Patriots flattened the Jets 42-20 behind four Steve Grogan
Steve Grogan
Steve James Grogan is a former American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Grogan played for the Patriots for his entire NFL career, from 1975 to 1990.-High school and college:...
touchdown throws and a Reggie Dupard
Reggie Dupard
Jon Reginald Dupard is a former American football running back. He played five seasons in the National Football League. Dupard was selected 26th overall in the 1986 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He played for the Patriots until he was traded to the Washington Redskins midway through the...
rushing score.
October 16, 1994
The Jets hosted the Patriots with both teams 3-3. Future Pats coach Pete CarrollPete Carroll
Peter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
was in his first year heading the Jets while future Jets coach Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
was in his second season heading the Patriots. Brad Baxter
Brad Baxter
Herman Bradley Baxter is a former professional American football player in the National Football League. He spent his entire career with the New York Jets . A 6'1", 233 lbs...
rushed for two touchdowns and Boomer Esiason
Boomer Esiason
Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason is a former American football quarterback and current network color commentator. He played for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals before working as an analyst for ABC and HBO...
threw for an additional score despite being sacked six times. The Patriots lost the turnover battle, coughing up three fumbles and one interception en route to a 24-17 Jets win.
November 10, 1996
The Jets entered this contest at Giants StadiumGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
with just four wins in the 1995-6 period, but raced to a 21-0 second quarter lead after holding Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
0-4 in completions in the entire first quarter. From there Bledsoe went 24-30 for 297 yards and overcame two interceptions and two sacks. After a Terry Glenn
Terry Glenn
Terry Tyree Glenn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New England Patriots seventh overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
score in the second quarter, his second touchdown came to Ben Coates
Ben Coates
Ben Terrence Coates is a former American football tight end in the National Football League and former CIAA football coach and former NFL tight ends coach. Coates didn't play football until his senior year of high school, and was a multi-sport player at Livingstone College located in Salisbury,...
and tied the game at 24. A Jets field goal made it 27-24 when Bledsoe completed a pass to Coates at the 50-yard line on 4th and 2. The Jets disputed the ball spot by line judge Charles Stewart (the ball spot was also roundly criticized by ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
) but the first down call stood, and Bledsoe found Keith Byars
Keith Byars
Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former American football player in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.-Early life:...
for the game-winning score. A late Jets rally was stopped on an endzone interception by Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Milloy
Lawyer Marzell Milloy is an American football safety. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Washington....
for a 31-27 Patriots win.
Early 1997: Bill Parcells
In his fourth season as Patriots head coach, Bill ParcellsBill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
' contract was set to expire after the Patriots' appearance in Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI was an American football game played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1996 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American...
. In the time preceding the game, rumors surfaced that Parcells would seek a coaching job elsewhere with more say in personnel decisions than he had under Patriots owner Robert Kraft
Robert Kraft
Robert K. Kraft is an American business magnate. He is the Chairman and was the Chief Executive Officer of The Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development and a private equity portfolio...
. In the 1996 NFL Draft
1996 NFL Draft
The 1996 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 20–21, 1996...
, Parcells had wanted to select a defender with the Patriots' seventh overall pick, but Kraft and personnel director Bobby Grier wanted wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Terry Glenn
Terry Glenn
Terry Tyree Glenn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New England Patriots seventh overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
instead, who was drafted.
After the Super Bowl, Parcells resigned from the Patriots, prompting Kraft to believe the Jets had been tampering with Parcells in an attempt for him to resign and take the Jets' vacant head coaching position and have say in the Jets' first overall selection in the 1997 NFL Draft
1997 NFL Draft
The 1997 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 19–20, 1997. No teams elected to claim any players in the supplemental draft that...
. The Jets decided that since Parcells couldn't be their head coach in 1997 because of his contract renegotiation, they would hire Parcells as a consultant and have Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
, who followed Parcells from the Patriots, hold the title of head coach. Kraft, who was requesting a first-round pick in return for allowing Parcells to coach elsewhere, called the Jets' agreement "a transparent farce" that "demonstrated it was the Jets' intention all along for Bill Parcells to become head coach of the Jets for the '97 season." Despite Parcells claiming the Jets had been given league permission for the consulting agreement, the NFL denied any permission was given, instead having commissioner Paul Tagliabue
Paul Tagliabue
Paul John Tagliabue is a former Commissioner of the National Football League. He took the position in 1989 and was succeeded by Roger Goodell, who was elected to the position on August 8, 2006. Tagliabue's retirement took effect on September 1, 2006. He had previously served as a lawyer for the NFL...
arrange an agreement between the two sides. The Patriots received third and fourth-round picks in the 1997 NFL Draft
1997 NFL Draft
The 1997 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 19–20, 1997. No teams elected to claim any players in the supplemental draft that...
, a second-round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft
1998 NFL Draft
The 1998 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 18-19, 1998...
, and a first-round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft
1999 NFL Draft
The 1999 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 17-18, 1999...
in compensation for allowing Parcells to become the Jets' head coach.
With Parcells leaving for the Jets, the Patriots hired 49ers defensive coordinator Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll
Peter Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice-President of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He is a former head coach of the New York Jets, New England Patriots and the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-Early life:Carroll attended Redwood High...
, who had been Jets head coach in 1994.
1997 season
For the first time in over ten years the Patriots and Jets were locked in a serious fight for the AFC EastAFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
division title. Both teams opened 1997 on August 31 with games against AFC West
AFC West
The AFC West is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference, currently comprising the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Oakland Raiders.-History:...
opponents (the Patriots hosted the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
while the Jets played the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
in the Kingdome
Kingdome
The Kingdome was a multi-purpose stadium located in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. Owned and operated by King County, the Kingdome opened in 1976 and was best known as the home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League , the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball , and the...
). Both teams opened with routs - the Patriots won their game 41-7 while the Jets triumphed in theirs 41-3. The two teams met
1997 New England Patriots season
The 1997 New England Patriots season was the 28th season for the team in the National Football League and 38th season overall. They finished the season with a 10–6 record and a division title but lost in the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Steelers....
in Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
on September 14 on TNT's Sunday Night Football program (this match-up became one of only two to be featured 3 times on TNT, alongside Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
-Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
). The game lead tied or changed seven times as both quarterbacks put up strong numbers but also costly errors - Neil O'Donnell
Neil O'Donnell
Neil Kennedy O'Donnell is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans...
was sacked seven times and fumbled three times, while on the Patriots side Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
threw two INTs, one returned by Mo Lewis
Mo Lewis
Morris "Mo" C. Lewis is a former American football player who played linebacker for the New York Jets from 1991 until 2003.-Career:...
for a touchdown. With the game tied at 24 Jets kicker John Hall
John Hall (American football)
John Hall is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League. He kicked for Port Charlotte High School and played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. While at Wisconsin, Hall played and won three bowl games...
lined up for an easy field goal in the final sixteen seconds of regulation, but the kick was blocked. Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
's 34-yard kick then won the game for the Patriots 27-24 in overtime.
The Jets won three of their next four (over Oakland
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
, and Indianapolis
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
) after the loss, and in the rematch in Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
on October 19 the Patriots blew a 19-10 third quarter lead as Adrian Murrell
Adrian Murrell
Adrian Byran Murrell is a former professional American football running back who was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft after playing collegiately for the West Virginia Mountaineers...
and Lorenzo Neal
Lorenzo Neal
Lorenzo LaVonne Neal is an American football fullback who played in the NFL from 1993–2009. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft...
rushing scores and desperation Bledsoe heaves that fell short sealed a 24-19 Jets win.
From there, however, both teams struggled - the Jets lost three of their next seven games (to Miami
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Buffalo
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and the Colts) and in their season finale against the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
surrendered 184 rushing yards to Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Sanders left the game just short of the all-time rushing record...
in a 13-10 Lions win; Jets quarterbacks Ray Lucas
Ray Lucas
For the baseball player of the same name, see Ray Lucas Ray Lucas is a studio analyst for the show Jets Nation on New York City-based sports network SportsNet New York...
and Glenn Foley
Glenn Foley
Glenn Foley is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League with the New York Jets from 1994–1998 and the Seattle Seahawks in 1999, and the Arena Football League with the New Jersey Gladiators in 2002.He played high school football at Cherry Hill High School East in his...
and fullback Leon Johnson
Leon Johnson (American football)
Walter Leon Johnson is a former professional American football running back. He played seven seasons for the New York Jets, the Chicago Bears, and the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League. Johnson played quarterback at Morganton's Freedom High School. He was moved to tailback at the...
combined for three picks. The Patriots meanwhile lost four of their final nine games (to Green Bay
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, Minnesota
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, Tampa
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, and Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
) after their loss to the Jets, but knocked them out of the playoffs with late-season wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
, and Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
twice. The Patriots thus finished 10-6 while the Jets finished 9-7.
Early 1998: Curtis Martin and the "Poison Pill"
After his third season in New England, running backRunning back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin
Curtis James Martin, Jr. is a former American football running back. He is an alumnus of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh...
, the 1995 Rookie of the Year
NFL Rookie of the Year Award
Since 1967, the Associated Press has given two annual Rookie of the Year Awards to National Football League players: one for an offensive player and one for a defensive player. These two are often regarded as the "official" awards...
, became a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
. The Patriots placed the highest possible tender on Martin, that would ensure a first-round and third-round draft pick compensation if they did not match a contract offer from another team. The Jets offered Martin a 6-year, $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
36 million contract, and the Patriots, low on salary cap space, opted to not match the offer and took the draft pick compensation. The Jets offer was the first example under the NFL's current Free Agency system of the "poison pill". Essentially a different contract for the Patriots than it would be for the Jets. It included a clause that would have allowed Martin could become an unrestricted free agent the following season if the Patriots matched the offer, allowing him to leave New England without the Patriots receiving any compensation. The deal included a $3.3 million roster bonus that would have counted against the Patriots' salary cap.
1998 season
The Jets, with Martin, former Patriots fullback Keith ByarsKeith Byars
Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former American football player in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.-Early life:...
, and new quarterback Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...
, lost three of their first five games (to the Forty-Niners
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
in overtime, the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, and St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
) before defeating the 4-1 Patriots in Week Six. From there the Jets surged to their greatest season ever, winning nine of their final ten games (their only loss in this period was a 24-23 loss to the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
and rookie Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
). The Patriots meanwhile slumped, losing three of their next four games before last-minute comeback wins over Miami and Buffalo and a 23-9 defeat of Pittsburgh. Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
broke a finger on his throwing hand and after a 32-18 loss to the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
backup Scott Zolak
Scott Zolak
Scott David Zolak is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for nine seasons...
took over, leading the Patriots to a last-second 24-21 win over the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, but in the season's final game, the Patriots were crushed 31-10 by the Jets.
Both teams made the playoffs. The Patriots were crushed 25-10 by the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the AFC Wildcard round (their only loss to the Jags in eight meetings) and the Jets handled Jacksonville 34-24 in the AFC Divisional round but gave up 23 unanswered second-half points in a 23-10 defeat to the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the AFC Championship.
1999 season
The Jets and Patriots opened the 1999 season in Giants StadiumGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
and the ensuing game
1999 New England Patriots season
The 1999 New England Patriots season was the 30th season for the team in the National Football League and 40th season overall. They finished with a 8–8 record, tied for fourth place in the division, and out of the playoffs....
became a ferocious affair. Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...
tore his left achilles and was replaced by former Patriots punter Tom Tupa
Tom Tupa
Thomas Joseph Tupa, Jr. is a former American football punter and quarterback in the National Football League.-Personal life and high school career:...
, who threw touchdowns to Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
and Fred Baxter
Fred Baxter
Frederick Denard Baxter is a former professional American football tight end who played 11 years in the National Football League for the New York Jets, the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots...
. Trailing 16-10 at halftime the Patriots scored 17 third quarter points, but the Baxter score and a Bryan Cox
Bryan Cox
Bryan Keith Cox is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the NFL from 1991 through 2002. He was a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI...
touchdown off an interception put the Jets in the lead 28-27. Parcells twice called for two-point conversions and they failed; he then put in emergency quarterback Rick Mirer
Rick Mirer
Richard Franklin Mirer is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. After a successful collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame, Mirer was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the second pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. Mirer was traded to the Chicago Bears during...
in the game's final three minutes, and a Mirer pass was deflected by Chris Slade
Chris Slade (American football)
Christopher Carroll Slade was an American football linebacker who plays in the National Football League. He played most of his career with the New England Patriots. Slade was named to his 1st Pro Bowl after the 1997 season. He played college football at the University of Virginia.-Personal...
and recovered by Ty Law
Ty Law
Tajuan "Ty" Law is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
, setting up the game-winning Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
field goal with 30 seconds left.
The Patriots stormed to a 6-2 record, beating the Jets, Indianapolis, the NY Giants, Cleveland, Denver, and Arizona, while the Jets sleepwalked to 2-6, beating only Denver and Arizona. But in the rematch in November the Jets roared to a 24-3 lead and sweated out two fourth quarter Bledsoe touchdowns for the win, and from there both teams went in opposite directions, the Jets slumping to 4-8 and then winning their final four games to finish 8-8, while the Patriots collapsed to 8-8. The season finale for both teams ended in wins, the Patriots defeating the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
while the Jets, in Parcells' final game as coach, defeated the same Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
against which he'd inaugurated his tenure as Jets coach.
Early 2000: Bill Belichick
A day after the 19991999 New York Jets season
The 1999 New York Jets season was the 40th season for the team, and the 30th in the National Football League. The team tried to maintain or improve upon its 12–4 record from 1998. An injury to starting quarterback Vinny Testaverde in the season's opening game essentially doomed the Jets' chances at...
season, Parcells resigned as head coach of the Jets and made his second retirement from NFL coaching. Belichick, who had been assistant head coach of the Jets, became the Jets' next head coach. The following day, at a press conference for his hiring, Belichick wrote a resignation note on a napkin ("I resign as HC of the NYJ."), and proceeded to instead announce his resignation in front of the press. Despite rumors that he had been offered the Patriots' vacant head coaching position, Belichick cited the Jets' uncertain ownership situation following the death of owner Leon Hess
Leon Hess
Leon Hess was the founder of the Hess Corporation and the owner of the New York Jets.-Biography:Hess was born on March 13, 1914. His father was a Russian immigrant who worked as an oil delivery man in Asbury Park, New Jersey during the Great Depression.He married Norma around 1945 and they had...
earlier that year as the reason for his resignation. The Jets denied Belichick permission to speak with other teams, and as had happened in 1997 with Parcells, the NFL upheld Belichick's contractual obligations to the Jets. Belichick then filed an antitrust
Competition law
Competition law, known in the United States as antitrust law, is law that promotes or maintains market competition by regulating anti-competitive conduct by companies....
lawsuit against the NFL in federal court. After Parcells and Kraft, talking for the first time since Parcells' resignation from the Patriots, agreed to settle their differences, the Patriots and Jets agreed to a compensation package to allow Belichick to become the Patriots' head coach. With the deal, the Patriots sent their first-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft
2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
and fourth and seventh-round picks in the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
to the Jets, while also receiving the Jets' fifth-round selection in 2001 and seventh-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft
2002 NFL Draft
The 2002 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft took place April 20–21, 2002 at the theater at...
.
2000-05 seasons
The Jets under new coach Al GrohAl Groh
Al Groh is the defensive coordinator of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team. He is also a former head coach of the University of Virginia football team, a former head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team and the former head coach of the New York Jets of the NFL...
swept the Patriots in 2000; in the two teams' September matchup in Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
the Jets rallied from a 19-7 gap in the fourth quarter to win 20-19, then in October smothered the Patriots in Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
34-17, recording four interceptions off Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
. The Jets surged to a 9-4 record but then collapsed in losses to Oakland, Detroit, and Baltimore. The Patriots meanwhile never got untracked en route to a 5-11 season.
Herm Edwards replaced Groh as Jets coach, and in September 2001 Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is a former football quarterback in the National Football League, best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. During the 1990s, he was considered the face of the Patriots franchise...
was badly injured by a hit by Mo Lewis
Mo Lewis
Morris "Mo" C. Lewis is a former American football player who played linebacker for the New York Jets from 1991 until 2003.-Career:...
in Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...
; with his chest cavity filling with blood (an injury requiring hospitalization) he was replaced late in the game by backup Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, but it was not enough to overcome a 10-3 Jets win. From there, however, the Patriots surged forward, and both teams met in late November in Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
, the Jets at 7-4 and the Pats at 6-5. The Jets raced to a 13-3 halftime lead, then were shot down by touchdowns by Antowain Smith
Antowain Smith
Antowain Drurell Smith is a former American Football running back in the National Football League who played nine NFL seasons, most notably with the New England Patriots. At 6'2", , Smith's powerful running style made him an effective runner between the tackles...
and a Brady toss to Marc Edwards to go with an Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
field goal and two Vinnie Testaverde picks. The 17-16 final continued a Patriots streak all the way to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI
Super Bowl XXXVI was an American football game played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 2001 regular season. The American Football Conference champion New England Patriots won their first Super...
while the Jets finished a strong 10-6 only to fall 24-22 to the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the playoffs.
The 2002 season opened with a comeback Jets win in OT in Buffalo, but in Week Two the Patriots mopped the Meadowlands with the Jets 44-7; Jets placekicker Matt Turk
Matt Turk
Matthew Edward Turk is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
(14 yards on a botched punt attempt) outrushed the entire Jets offensive backfield (nine yards by Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin
Curtis James Martin, Jr. is a former American football running back. He is an alumnus of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh...
, LaMont Jordan
LaMont Jordan
LaMont Damon Jordan is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, and Richie Anderson
Richie Anderson
Richard Darnoll Anderson is a former American football Fullback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets from 1994–2002 and the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-2004. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 2001...
combined) and two Testaverde turnovers (a fumble to Tebucky Jones
Tebucky Jones
Tebucky Shermain Jones is a former American football safety in the National Football League. His career began when he was drafted out of Syracuse University in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He is best known for his role on the 2001 Patriots team that won...
and an interception by Victor Green
Victor Green
Victor Bernard Green is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
) led to Patriot touchdowns. A humiliating 30-3 loss in Miami was followed by a 28-3 loss in Jacksonville; during this game Testaverde failed to complete a pass in four tries and was sacked once; he was thus benched and sophomore Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
took over under center, finishing with 281 yards and one INT.
From there, however, the Jets came to life. Against the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
Pennington completed 22 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns as the game lead tied or changed eight times; the Chiefs won 29-25 on a Trent Green
Trent Green
Trent Jason Green is a retired professional American football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana University....
touchdown (19 yards) to Priest Holmes
Priest Holmes
Priest Anthony Holmes is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He played college football at Texas.Holmes earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV...
with 27 seconds left. The Jets now began winning in an unusually competitive NFL season, beating the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
20-7 as they won six of nine games entering their Week 16 showdown with New England. The Patriots meanwhile fell to 3-4 after an OT win (41-38) over Kansas City was followed by four straight losses (to San Diego
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Miami, Green Bay
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, and Denver
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
;) the Patriots then rallied to 8-6 with routs of Buffalo twice, a huge comeback over Chicago
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and wins over Minnesota and Detroit
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
when they hosted the Jets at new Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
in December. With both teams coming off losses (the Patriots lost to Tennessee
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
while the Jets were beaten in Chicago
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
), the resurgent Jets shot down the Patriots 30-17, and suddenly with both teams 8-7 the final week of the regular season became a dizzying conundrum; the Patriots needed to beat the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and have the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
defeat the Jets to win the AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
, their only chance of a playoff berth; the Jets needed a Patriots win and to beat the Packers to win the division and thus make the playoffs, while Miami needed to win to make the playoffs. The Patriots rallied from down 24-13 in the final five minutes to force overtime and defeat the Dolphins 27-24; the Jets game against Green Bay started on time with overtime in Foxboro approaching; Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
had thrown a long incompletion on a neutral-zone infraction by the Jets just as the winning FG in the Patriots game took place; when the game was decided the crowd at Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
exploded in cheers. From there the Jets rolled over the Packers 42-17, knocking Miami and New England out of the playoffs and winning the AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
, only their second division crown since the 1970 merger. The Jets followed up by crushing the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
41-0 in the wildcard round, but then fell to the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
30-10.
Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
was injured in the Jets' 2003 preseason game against the Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and missed half of the year. He returned in the latter half of 2003 but the 2-4 Jets could only salvage a 6-10 record. The Patriots, meanwhile, roared to 14-2, sweeping the Jets (23-16 at Foxboro, 21-16 at The Meadowlands) en route to victory in Super Bowl XXXVIII
Super Bowl XXXVIII
Super Bowl XXXVIII was an American football game played on February 1, 2004 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas to decide the National Football League champion following the 2003 regular season....
. For the 2004 season Pennington stayed healthy and the Jets roared to a 5-0 start (including a 14-point comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
) before falling to the Patriots in Foxboro 13-7. The Patriots surged to 12-2 when they met the Jets in the Meadowlands for the season rematch and triumphed 23-7. The Patriots finished 14-2 again and the Jets finished 10-6, securing a wildcard playoff berth; responding to criticism of that fact Herm Edwards pointedly read the letter from NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
Paul Tagliabue
Paul John Tagliabue is a former Commissioner of the National Football League. He took the position in 1989 and was succeeded by Roger Goodell, who was elected to the position on August 8, 2006. Tagliabue's retirement took effect on September 1, 2006. He had previously served as a lawyer for the NFL...
informing the club of their playoff berth to reporters.
The Jets traveled to Qualcomm Stadium
Qualcomm Stadium
Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area....
to meet the resurgent 12-4 San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the AFC Wildcard round; the Jets clamped down on LaDanian Tomlinson and held the Chargers to 17 points; they forced overtime and broke a 17-all tie with a game-winning field goal by Doug Brien
Doug Brien
Douglas Robert Zachariah Brien is a former American football placekicker. He played twelve seasons for seven teams in the National Football League:...
. Now in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, the Jets traveled to Heinz Field
Heinz Field
Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
to face the 15-1 Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, unbeaten since a Week Two loss to Baltimore and riding the leadership of rookie Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
. The Jets once again clamped down on their opponent and despite giving up a fourth quarter touchdown forced two Roethlisberger interceptions, but Doug Brien's field goal tries late in the game failed. Getting the ball in overtime the Steelers drove downfield and ended the game on a Jeff Reed field goal, ending the Jets' best chance at a Super Bowl since 1998. The Steelers, however, had been exposed as vulnerable, and a week later in the AFC Championship Game
AFC Championship Game
The American Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the American...
they were shredded 41-27 by the Patriots, who went on to victory in Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX
Super Bowl XXXIX was an American football game played on February 6, 2005, at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, to decide the National Football League champion following the 2004 regular season...
.
Injury once again plagued Pennington and 2005 was another lost year with a 4-12 Jets record and yet another season sweep by the Patriots; in a 16-3 win in Foxboro the Pats' Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri
Adam Matthew Vinatieri is an American football placekicker currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts. He has played in six Super Bowls, four with the New England Patriots and two with the Colts, winning four. Vinatieri won a Super Bowl in 2006 with Indianapolis and won Super Bowls in 2001,...
passed Patriots legend Gino Cappelletti
Gino Cappelletti
Gino Cappelletti is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He played at the University of Minnesota, and was a star in the American Football League for the Boston Patriots...
for first on the team's all-time list for points scored. The Jets responded to the season by releasing Herm Edwards. Despite the sweep of the Jets, the Patriots fell to 10-6 and were bounced by the hated Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the playoffs.
2006-2008: Bill Belichick vs. Eric Mangini
After graduating from Wesleyan UniversityWesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
, Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
was hired as a low-level assistant by the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, who had former Wesleyan football coach Kevin Spencer
Kevin Spencer (football coach)
Kevin Spencer is an assistant coach for the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals. He has been a coach in the NFL since 1991.-Cleveland Browns:...
on their coaching staff. Also a Wesleyan alumnus, Belichick, then head coach of the Browns, met Mangini in the Browns' 1995
1995 Cleveland Browns season
The 1995 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 46th season with the National Football League. On November 6, then-owner Art Modell announced his intentions to move the team to Baltimore...
training camp and promoted him to a coaching assistant. Belichick was fired after the season, and Mangini followed the Browns in their move to Baltimore in 1996
1996 NFL season
The 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League and the season was marked by notable controversies from beginning to end...
for a single season before re-joining Belichick with the Jets in 1997
1997 New York Jets season
The 1997 New York Jets season began with the team trying to improve upon its league-worst and franchise-worst 1–15 record from 1996. Sparked by the arrival of head coach Bill Parcells, who replaced Rich Kotite, and was coming off a Super Bowl berth the previous season, the Jets improved to 9–7, but...
. When Belichick was hired as head coach of the Patriots in 2000
2000 New England Patriots season
The 2000 New England Patriots season was the 31st season for the team in the National Football League and 41st season overall. They finished with a 5–11 record and in last place in the division....
, Mangini followed Belichick to New England, and was named defensive coordinator by the 2005
2005 New England Patriots season
The 2005 New England Patriots season was the 36th season for the team in the National Football League and 46th season overall. They finished with a 10–6 record and the division title before losing in the playoffs to the Denver Broncos....
season. Following the season, the Patriots granted permission for Mangini to interview for the Jets' vacant head coaching position. The Jets hired Mangini and the Patriots locked Mangini out of Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
, not allowing him to retrieve his personal items.
2006 season
In the second week of the 20062006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, Mangini referred to Belichick as "a friend" in press conferences, while Belichick refused to use Mangini's name with the media. Earlier in the week, the Patriots had traded hold-out wide receiver Deion Branch
Deion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
to the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
and filed tampering charges against the Jets for allegedly engaging in contract talks with Branch while he was still a member of the Patriots. The Jets were later cleared of the charges by the NFL. The Patriots went on to defeat the Jets in New York, but in November, the Jets handed the Patriots a loss in New England. The post-game on-field meeting between the two in both games was a topic of discussion, with some claiming their handshakes were intentionally cold and unfriendly. Following the loss the Patriots re-sodded Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
's deteriorated grass surface with Field Turf. The Patriots ran away 37-16 in a playoff
NFL playoffs, 2006-07
The National Football League playoffs for the 2006 season began on January 6, 2007 and led up to Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.-AFC: Indianapolis Colts 23, Kansas City Chiefs 8:...
win over the Jets on the new surface, and following the game Belichick shoved Boston Globe photographer Jim Davis before reaching Mangini and hugging his former assistant.
2007 season
When the Patriots and Jets met again in the first week of the 2007 season2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
, the Patriots won in a runaway, 38-14. The game was highlighted by the first touchdown catches by new Patriots wideouts Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
and Wes Welker
Wes Welker
-San Diego Chargers :Welker, who was not drafted during the 2004 NFL Draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers. Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, but was released after the first game of the season.-2004 season:...
, and a 108-yard touchdown on the opening kick of the second half by Ellis Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs
Ellis Hobbs III is a former American football cornerback who played for six seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for Iowa State. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft and played for them from 2005–2008...
, setting an NFL record for the longest kickoff return.
After the game, Belichick was accused by the Jets of authorizing his staff to film the Jets' defensive signals from an on-field location, a violation of league rules. The Jets filed a complaint to the league office, detailing the accusations. Two days later, Belichick issued a statement "to apologize to everyone who has been affected;" he also stated that he had spoken with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
Roger Goodell
Roger S. Goodell is the Commissioner of the National Football League , having been chosen to succeed the retiring Paul Tagliabue on August 8, 2006. He was chosen over four finalists for the position, winning a close vote on the fifth ballot before being unanimously approved by acclamation of the...
about his "interpretation of the rule." On September 13, Belichick was personally fined $500,000, and the team was fined $250,000. Additionally, the Patriots were required to forfeit either their first-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
if they made the playoffs or their second and third-round selections if they did not.
Accusations of Jets also illegally videotaping the Patriots in their January 2007 playoff match-up arose following the incident. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum
Mike Tannenbaum
Mike Tannenbaum is a professional American football executive, currently serving as the general manager for the New York Jets of the National Football League.-Cleveland Browns:...
called the accusations "completely false" in September 2007. In the week before the teams' December 16, 2007
2007 New England Patriots season
The 2007 New England Patriots season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 48th season overall. They finished with a perfect 16–0 regular season record but lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII....
game, Newsday
Newsday
Newsday is a daily American newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, although it is sold throughout the New York metropolitan area...
reported the Jets were found videotaping from the mezzanine level of Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
and asked to leave by Patriots security. The Jets later claimed they had been granted permission by the Patriots to film in the game, while Belichick denied permission was ever given.
The season rematch in Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
took place on a windy, rain-soaked day that kept scoring down; the Patriots nonetheless triumphed 20-10, the 14th consecutive win on their quest for a perfect season.
2008 season
After finishing 2007 at 4-12 the Jets worked the off-season, and their free-agent acquisitions included offensive guard Alan FanecaAlan Faneca
Alan Joseph Faneca, Jr. is a former American football guard in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 26th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft and played college football for Louisiana State....
from the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and quarterback Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
from the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. The two clubs met on September 14, 2008 at The Meadowlands
Giants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
but the game's dynamic changed the week before when Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
was knocked out for the season with a torn ACL
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
against the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. Backup Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel
Matthew Brennan "Matt" Cassel is a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
was forced to take over for Brady, and after leading the Patriots to a 17-10 win over the Chiefs Cassel made his first NFL start. Cassel was 16 of 23 for 165 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers; a Sammy Morris
Sammy Morris
Samuel "Sammy" Morris III is an American football running back who is a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
rushing touchdown and four Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Carroll Gostkowski is a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
field goals led the Patriots to a 19-10 win as Favre went 18 of 26 for 181 yards and a touchdown but threw a costly interception to Brandon Meriweather
Brandon Meriweather
Brandon Meriweather is an American football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 24th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Meriweather's mother gave birth to him when...
, setting up Morris' score.
A bitterly-fought rematch occurred on Thursday Night Football
Run to the Playoffs
Thursday Night Football is the brand name used by NFL Network for its schedule of live regular season telecasts of National Football League games on Thursday nights. Also included in the package are some Saturday specials....
on November 13 at Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
. The Jets rushed to a 24-6 lead with five minutes to go in the second quarter and added a touchdown by Thomas Jones in the fourth, but Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel
Matthew Brennan "Matt" Cassel is a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
exploded into a virtual one-man offense, throwing for 400 yards and three touchdowns with no picks while rushing for 64 yards. He threw touchdowns to Jabar Gaffney
Jabar Gaffney
Derrick Jabar Gaffney is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
with fifteen seconds left in the first half, to Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 32nd overall in the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Georgia.-Early years:Watson attended Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, South...
on the final play of the third quarter (and a two-point conversion to Gaffney), and to Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
with one second left to force overtime. But the Jets drove down field in overtime, escaping a third-and-fifteen deep in their territory before Jay Feely
Jay Feely
Thomas James "Jay" Feely is an American football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Jay played for the Temple Terrace Spirit Soccer team that won the National Championships when he was 16....
's 34-yard game-winning field goal and a 34-31 Jets final. The game was New England's first overtime loss since the 2000 season against the Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, while the win was the fourth in seven career meetings against the Patriots (his first win in his second meeting as Jets quarterback) by Favre.
The Jets win, though, did not help them in the homestretch of the season, for the Patriots rallied to win five of their last six games (including a 48-28 hammering of Miami
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
the following weekend) while the Jets lost four of their final six games. Both teams faced a do-or-die scenario on December 28; the Patriots traveled to Buffalo needing a win and a Jets win over Miami
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to win the division; the Jets hosted the Dolphins needing a win and outside help to win the division or secure a Wild Card. The Jets-Dolphins game was flexed by the NFL from a 1 PM start to 4:15, so the Patriots' 13-0 shutout of Buffalo meant the Jets had to win and get a Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
upset of Baltimore
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
simultaneously with their game in order to make the playoffs. The Jets rallied to lead 17-14 in the third quarter, but former Jet Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington
James Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
led the Dolphins to ten unanswered points and a 24-17 final. Miami thus won the AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
while New England became the first 11-5 non-playoff team since the '85 Broncos
1985 Denver Broncos season
-Schedule:-Standings:-External links:* *...
and the Jets responded by firing coach Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini
Eric Mangini is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets of the National Football League and current NFL analyst for ESPN.-College:...
.
2009 season
The Patriots visited the Jets on September 20, 2009 in New Jersey, the first meeting between the Jets and returning Patriots quarterback Tom BradyTom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
as well as the first matchup between Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
and former Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
coordinator Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan is an American football head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League . After serving as an assistant coach for twenty-two years, Ryan attained his first head coaching job in the NFL with the Jets in 2009...
. In the week prior to the game, Ryan placed a phone message to all Jets season ticket holders asking them to "make it miserable for (Tom) Brady and company," following up on his comments during the offseason that he would not "kiss Bill Belichick's Super Bowl ring
Super Bowl ring
The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to the winners of the league's annual championship game, the Super Bowl...
s." He told the Jets fans that "the Patriots had a better head coach and a better quarterback," but that the game would decide "who has a better team." Meanwhile, Jets safety Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes
Kerry Rhodes is an American football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
said the Jets intended on not just winning, but "embarrassing" the Patriots in the game, while nose tackle Kris Jenkins
Kris Jenkins
Kristopher Rudy-Charles Jenkins is a former American football nose tackle who played for the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
called it the Jets' version of the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
; the Jets had not defeated the Patriots at home since 2000
2000 New England Patriots season
The 2000 New England Patriots season was the 31st season for the team in the National Football League and 41st season overall. They finished with a 5–11 record and in last place in the division....
. In the end, the Jets defeated the Patriots 16-9 in the 100th overall meeting of the rivalry series.
The Patriots hosted the Jets on November 22 following a stunning last-minute loss in Indianapolis
2009 New England Patriots season
The 2009 New England Patriots season was the 40th season for the team in the National Football League and 50th season overall. They finished with a 10–6 record and a division title before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs....
and the Jets were defeated 31-14; Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez
Mark Travis John Sanchez is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the fifth overall selection by the Jets and the second quarterback taken overall...
threw four interceptions, three of them to Leigh Bodden
Leigh Bodden
Leigh Edmond Bodden is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Duquesne....
. Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
caught a four-yard touchdown in the face of Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis
Darrelle Revis
Though Revis was not the first defensive back drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft , he was the first cornerback taken that year...
, who'd been talkative about matching up with Moss; Revis nonetheless held Moss to 34 yards over two games with the interception in the September matchup. Wes Welker
Wes Welker
-San Diego Chargers :Welker, who was not drafted during the 2004 NFL Draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers. Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, but was released after the first game of the season.-2004 season:...
, inactive for Week Two, had 15 catches (one short of Troy Brown
Troy Brown
Troy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
's 2002 record against Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
) for 197 yards.
2010 season
The Jets hosted the Patriots on September 19 after a lifeless 10-9 loss to the Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
the week before. Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
completed a six-yard touchdown to Wes Welker
Wes Welker
-San Diego Chargers :Welker, who was not drafted during the 2004 NFL Draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers. Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, but was released after the first game of the season.-2004 season:...
and a 34 -yard score caught by Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
with one hand in the endzone; Moss nemesis Darrelle Revis
Darrelle Revis
Though Revis was not the first defensive back drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft , he was the first cornerback taken that year...
was injured on the play and left the game. But the Jets trailed only 14-10 at the half and after two interceptions of Brady Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez
Mark Travis John Sanchez is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the fifth overall selection by the Jets and the second quarterback taken overall...
threw touchdowns to Jerricho Cotchery
Jerricho Cotchery
Cotchery was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft.-New York Jets:In 2004, Cotchery caught 6 passes for 60 yards in 12 games as the team's 5th receiver...
and Dustin Keller
Dustin Keller
-New York Jets:Keller was drafted by the New York Jets 30th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Keller was slowly phased into the offense and eventually finished with productive numbers in part of the presence of the veteran Brett Favre. Keller finished a strong rookie season with 48 receptions, 535...
and the Jets led 28-14, a win sealed when former Dolphin Jason Taylor
Jason Taylor
Jason Taylor may refer to:*Jason Taylor , Australian rules footballer*Jason Taylor , Australian rugby league footballer and coach...
strip-sacked Brady in Jets territory.
Two weeks after the game (and a day after the Jets hammered the Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
38-14 while the Patriots massacred the Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
41-14) the Patriots traded Moss to the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and traded a draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
for Deion Branch
Deion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
. The Jets erupted after the win, winning eight of their next nine games while the Patriots likewise nailed down eight wins in their next nine games. When the two teams met at Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
on December 6 their 9-2 records gave the game the sense of a playoff game; the Jets, however, never got untracked, as Nick Folk
Nick Folk
Nicholas "Nick" Alexander Folk is an American football kicker who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
missed a 53-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter, this following a Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan is an American football head coach for the New York Jets of the National Football League . After serving as an assistant coach for twenty-two years, Ryan attained his first head coaching job in the NFL with the Jets in 2009...
challenge of a ball-spot that was denied. Brady found Branch and Brandon Tate
Brandon Tate
-2009 season:Tate was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 16, he was signed to a four-year contract with a $755,000 signing bonus. He began the 2009 season on the non-football injury list, still recovering from his knee injury from the prior season. He was...
for touchdowns and BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Jeremy Green-Ellis is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008. After playing college football his freshman and sophomore seasons at Indiana University, Green-Ellis...
ran in a one-yard score, leaving the Patriots up 24-3 at the half; from there on the Jets tried vainly to run the ball (five Jets backs combined for 152 rushing yards) while Sanchez was intercepted three times. Brady touchdowns to Welker and Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez
-New England Patriots:Hernandez was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Shortly after he was drafted, The Boston Globe reported Hernandez had admitted to marijuana use and had failed multiple drug tests while in college, causing his draft stock to drop...
and a second Green-Ellis score finished up a 45-3 rout of the Jets, the biggest for the Patriots against the Jets since 2002's 44-7 win (During the Patriots dynasty several teams have suffered greater losses, including the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
59-0 in 2009). Former Jet Danny Woodhead
Danny Woodhead
Danny Woodhead is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Chadron State....
, cut by the Jets despite prominent attention on the Hard Knocks
Hard Knocks (TV series)
Hard Knocks is a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL Films and HBO. The series follows a select National Football League team through its training camp and provides an in-depth perspective of the team's preparation for the upcoming season. The series is described as one of...
television series chronicling the Jets' 2010 preseason, caught four passes for 104 yards against his former team.
The Jets subsequently lost to the Dolphins
2011 Miami Dolphins season
The 2011 Miami Dolphins season will be the team's 42nd season in the National Football League, the 46th overall and the fourth under head coach Tony Sparano...
(a game marred when conditioning coach Sal Alosi
Sal Alosi
Sal Alosi is the former head strength and conditioning coach for the New York Jets. On December 13, 2010, he was fined $25,000 by the Jets and suspended for the remainder of the season for tripping Miami Dolphins player Nolan Carroll as the latter ran along the sideline...
tripped Dolphins cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Nolan Carroll
Nolan Carroll
Nolan Carroll, Jr. is an American football defensive back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins from the University of Maryland.-Early life:...
on a return and the Jets were fined by the league) and Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
while winning on a dramatic goalline stand against the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and routing the Bills again. They thus made the playoffs as an 11-5 wildcard and stunned the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
on a last-minute drive ending in a Nick Folk
Nick Folk
Nicholas "Nick" Alexander Folk is an American football kicker who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
winning field goal. The win slotted the Jets into a Divisional Round playoff at Foxboro
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
against the 14-2 Patriots, who'd run the table since an ugly 34-14 loss at Cleveland
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. It marks the third playoff matchup between the two teams but the first in a game other than the Wildcard round. Before their playoff matchup, the Jets' Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie
Antonio Cromartie is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers 19th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
called Tom Brady "an asshole", claiming that he pointed at the Jets' sideline after throwing a touchdown pass during the Patriots' 45-3 win. The Jets won the Divisional Round game 28-21 on January 16th, 2011. After the game, the Patriots' Deion Branch
Deion Branch
Anthony Deion Branch, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.He has also played for the Seattle Seahawks...
called the Jets post-game celebrations "classless".
2011 Season
The two teams met on October 9 at Gillette StadiumGillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...
with the Patriots 3-1 off a 31-19 victory over the Raiders
2011 Oakland Raiders season
The 2011 Oakland Raiders season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. 2011 also marks the final season under the ownership of Al Davis, who died on October 8, 2011...
while the Jets were 2-2 after losses to the Raiders and to the Baltimore Ravens
2011 Baltimore Ravens season
The 2011 Baltimore Ravens season will be the 16th in the National Football League and city of Baltimore, Maryland, and the 14th to host home games at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens will seek to act upon their 12–4 record from 2010 and win the American Football Conference's North division title for...
. The Patriots clawed to a 10-7 lead at the half but a Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
throw to Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez
-New England Patriots:Hernandez was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Shortly after he was drafted, The Boston Globe reported Hernandez had admitted to marijuana use and had failed multiple drug tests while in college, causing his draft stock to drop...
at the end of the half was intercepted by the Jets. The Patriots later clawed to a 27-14 lead but a Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez
Mark Travis John Sanchez is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the fifth overall selection by the Jets and the second quarterback taken overall...
touchdown to Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State...
cut the lead to 27-21. The Patriots finished the game with a time-consuming drive with multple rushes by BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Jeremy Green-Ellis is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008. After playing college football his freshman and sophomore seasons at Indiana University, Green-Ellis...
and a late field goal for a 30-21 win.
On November 13 the Jets hosted the Patriots at MetLife Stadium and in the second quarter took a 9-6 lead after Brady was flagged for intentional grounding in his own endzone; the Jets drove down field and Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez
Mark Travis John Sanchez is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the fifth overall selection by the Jets and the second quarterback taken overall...
ran in a two-yard touchdown. The Patriots roared down the field after this and scored before the end of the half, then in the second half outscored the Jets 24-7; they sacked Sanchez five times and Rob Ninkovich
Rob Ninkovich
Robert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
intercepted Sanchez and ran in a twelve-yard touchdown, finishing off a 37-16 New England win.
Connections between the two teams
With Parcells, Carroll, Belichick, and Mangini all acting as coaches on both teams from 19931993 NFL season
The 1993 NFL season was the 74th regular season of the National Football League. For the first time in league history, all NFL teams played their 16-game schedule over a span of 18 weeks. After the success of expanding the regular season to a period of 17 weeks in 1990, the league hoped this new...
through 2008
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
, at least 50 players were also with both teams in the same period. Current Patriots defensive line coach Pepper Johnson
Pepper Johnson
Thomas "Pepper" Johnson is a former American football linebacker, and the current defensive line coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.-College:...
was also a player with the Jets under Parcells. Upon becoming Jets head coach in 2006
2006 New York Jets season
The 2006 New York Jets season began with the team trying to improve on their 4–12 record in 2005. The season marked the first for rookie head coach Eric Mangini, who replaced Herman Edwards after the latter left the Jets to coach the Kansas City Chiefs...
, Mangini hired former Jets and Patriots players Bryan Cox
Bryan Cox
Bryan Keith Cox is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the NFL from 1991 through 2002. He was a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI...
and Rick Lyle
Rick Lyle
Rick Lyle is a former American football defensive end who played for four teams in a 9-year NFL career....
to his coaching staff, as well as former Patriot Sam Gash
Sam Gash
Samuel Lee Gash Jr. is a former American football fullback and current running backs coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.-Professional career:...
, and retained former Patriots assistant strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul
Markus Paul
Markus Paul is a current American football assistant strength and conditioning coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League.-High school:...
. Former Patriots wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
s coach Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll is the current American football offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.-Early years:...
spent seven seasons with the Patriots before leaving to become the Jets' quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
s coach in 2007
2007 New York Jets season
The 2007 New York Jets season was the 38th NFL season and 48th overall season for the football team. This season was the second under head coach Eric Mangini. The team attempted to improve upon their 10–6 record from 2006, but finished the season with a 4–12 record.-Free agents heading into the...
. When Daboll left with Mangini for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, former Patriots quarterback Matt Cavanaugh
Matt Cavanaugh
Matthew Andrew Cavanaugh is a former American football quarterback in the NFL who played from 1978 to 1991. In the course of his career as a professional football player, he earned two Super Bowl rings...
was named as Jets quarterbacks coach; ironically, in his playing days with the Patriots Cavanaugh was 0-2 against the Jets.
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!Name
!Position
!Years with Jets
!Years with Patriots
|-
|Titus Adams
Titus Adams
Titus Adams is an American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
|Defensive lineman
|2006*
|2008-2009
|-
|Chris Baker
|Tight end
|2002-08
|2009
|-
|Fred Baxter
Fred Baxter
Frederick Denard Baxter is a former professional American football tight end who played 11 years in the National Football League for the New York Jets, the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots...
|Tight end
|1993-2000
|2002-03
|-
|Jacob Bender
Jacob Bender
Jacob David Bender is an American football guard and offensive tackle who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round in the 2007 NFL Draft...
|Offensive lineman
|2007
|2008*
|-
|DeCori Birmingham
DeCori Birmingham
DeCori Birmingham is a former professional gridiron football running back. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
|Running back
|2005*
|2005*
|-
|Kyle Brady
Kyle Brady
Kyle James Brady is a former professional American football player. He played tight end for 13 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots. He was the Jets' first round draft choice in the 1995 NFL Draft...
|Tight end
|1995-98
|2007
|-
|Corwin Brown
Corwin Brown
Corwin Brown is an American football coach who was most recently the defensive backs coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
|Safety
|1997-98
|1993-96
|-
|Kareem Brown
Kareem Brown
Kareem Alexander Brown is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft and played college football at the University of Miami....
|Defensive lineman
|2007-08
|2007
|-
|Terrell Buckley
Terrell Buckley
Douglas Terrell Buckley is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League....
|Cornerback
|2004
|2001-02, 2004*
|-
|Keith Byars
Keith Byars
Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former American football player in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets.-Early life:...
|Fullback/Tight end
|1998
|1996-97
|-
|Matt Chatham
Matt Chatham
Matt Chatham is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at South Dakota.-High school years:...
|Linebacker
|2006-2007
|2000-05
|-
|Anthony Clement
Anthony Clement
Anthony George Clement is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
|Offensive tackle
|2006-2007
|2008
|-
|Fred Coleman
Fred Coleman
Fredrick Dewayne Coleman was a professional American football wide receiver He has played in the National Football League, Arena Football League and the XFL. Coleman graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas and played for the Lee Red Raiders...
|Wide receiver
|2000*
|2001-02
|-
|Bryan Cox
Bryan Cox
Bryan Keith Cox is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the NFL from 1991 through 2002. He was a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI...
|Linebacker
|1998-2000
|2001
|-
|Steve DeOssie
Steve DeOssie
Steven Leonard DeOssie is a former American football linebacker and long snapper. DeOssie played college football at Boston College, and went on to play in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants, and the New England Patriots...
|Long snapper
|1993
|1994-95
|-
|Tim Dwight
Tim Dwight
Timothy Deutch Dwight, Jr. is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
|Wide receiver
|2006
|2005
|-
|Shaun Ellis
Shaun Ellis
MeShaunda "Shaun" Pizarrur Ellis is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . Ellis was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee...
|Defensive end
|2000-10
|2011-present
|-
|Barry Gardner
Barry Gardner
Barry Allan Gardner is an American football linebacker formerly for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is currently a free agent....
|Linebacker
|2005
|2006
|-
|Chas Gessner
Chas Gessner
Charles Louis "Chas" Gessner is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2003...
|Wide receiver
|2005*
|2003
|-
|Mike Gisler
Mike Gisler
Michael Gisler is a former American football offensive lineman. Gisler was selected in the eleven round by the New Orleans Saints out of the University of Houston in the 1992 NFL Draft and played seven seasons in the National Football League for the New England Patriots and the New York Jets....
|Guard/Center
|1998-99
|1993-97
|-
|Victor Green
Victor Green
Victor Bernard Green is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
|Defensive back
|1993-2001
|2002
|-
|Bobby Hamilton
|Defensive end
|1996-99, 2006
|2000-03
|-
|Artrell Hawkins
Artrell Hawkins
Artrell Hawkins, Jr. is a former American football defensive back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
|Safety
|2008*
|2005-06
|-
|Chris Hayes
Chris Hayes (American football)
Christopher Kareem Hayes is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, the New York Jets, and the New England Patriots. Hayes played college football at Washington State University.He was drafted by the New York Jets in the 7th round of...
|Safety
|1997-2001
|2002
|-
|Victor Hobson
Victor Hobson
Victor Brian Hobson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
|Linebacker
|2003-2007
|2008*
|-
|Reggie Hodges
Reggie Hodges
Reginald Aaron "Reggie" Hodges is an American football punter for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
|Punter
|2008-09
|2008*
|-
|Rob Holmberg
Rob Holmberg
Robert Anthony Holmberg is a former American football linebacker who played eight seasons in the National Football League. He played college football at Penn State University and was selected in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He currently owns several Subway restaurants around the...
|Linebacker
|1998
|2000-01
|-
|James Ihedigbo
James Ihedigbo
-New York Jets:In a 16–13 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on October 18, 2009, Ihedigbo and fellow Jet Marques Murrell threw punches at Bills Tight End Derek Fine, prompting Ihedigbo to be ejected from the game by officials...
|Safety
|2007-2010
|2011-present
|-
|Larry Izzo
Larry Izzo
Lawrence Alexander Izzo is a retired American football Linebacker and special teamer and current assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
|Linebacker
|2009
|2001-08
|-
|Olrick Johnson
|Linebacker
|1999
|2000
|-
|Kliff Kingsbury
Kliff Kingsbury
Klifford "Kliff" Kingsbury is an American Football Coach, serving as the current co-offensive coordinator for the University of Houston Cougar football team. Prior to his current role, Kingsbury was a Quarterback in the NFL and NFL Europe, winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in a...
|Quarterback
|2005
|2003
|-
|Ty Law
Ty Law
Tajuan "Ty" Law is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
|Cornerback
|2005, 2008
|1995-2004
|-
|Courtney Ledyard
|Linebacker
|2000
|2003
|-
|Rick Lyle
Rick Lyle
Rick Lyle is a former American football defensive end who played for four teams in a 9-year NFL career....
|Defensive lineman
|1997-2001
|2002-03
|-
|Radell Lockhart
Radell Lockhart
Radell Bernard Lockhart is an American football defensive line coach with the Catawba Indians college football team.- High school career :...
|Defensive end
|2005*
|2002*
|-
|Omare Lowe
Omare Lowe
Omare Lowe is an American football cornerback who is retired. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
|Defensive back
|2003
|2004
|-
|Ray Lucas
Ray Lucas
For the baseball player of the same name, see Ray Lucas Ray Lucas is a studio analyst for the show Jets Nation on New York City-based sports network SportsNet New York...
|Quarterback/Wide receiver
|1998-2000
|1996-97
|-
|Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin
Curtis James Martin, Jr. is a former American football running back. He is an alumnus of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh...
|Running back
|1998-2005
|1995-97
|-
|Steve Martin
Steve Martin (American football)
Steven Albert Martin is a former American football Nose Guard and Defensive Tackle that played for seven teams in a nine year National Football League career. He played college football at the University of Missouri....
|Defensive tackle
|2001
|2002
|-
|Dave Meggett
Dave Meggett
David Lee Meggett is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants , New England Patriots , and the New York Jets . He played college football at Morgan State University and Towson University...
|Running back/Kick returner
|1998
|1995-97
|-
|Giradie Mercer
|Defensive tackle
|2001-02
|2001*
|-
|Ray Mickens
Ray Mickens
Ray Mickens is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Mickens and his wife, Nicole, have a daughter, Kamray, and two sons, Ray Jr and Trayvon...
|Cornerback
|1996-2003
|2006
|-
|Rashad Moore
Rashad Moore
Glenn Rashad Moore is an American football defensive tackle who's currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
|Defensive tackle
|2006
|2007
|-
|Earthwind Moreland
Earthwind Moreland
Earthwind C. Moreland is a former National Football League cornerback for the New England Patriots and Arena Football League cornerback/wide receiver for the Las Vegas Gladiators...
|Cornerback
|2000
|2004
|-
|Chad Morton
Chad Morton
Chad Akio Morton is a former American football running back and kick/punt returner in the National Football League...
|Running back/Kick returner
|2001-02
|2005*
|-
|Marques Murrell
Marques Murrell
Marques Murrell is an American football linebacker for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Appalachian State.Murrell has also played for the New York Jets and New England...
|Linebacker
|2007-09
|2010*
|-
|Leonard Myers
Leonard Myers (American football)
Leonard Bernard Myers, Jr. is a former professional American football cornerback drafted in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
|Cornerback
|2003
|2001-02
|-
|Kevin O'Connell
Kevin O'Connell (American football)
Kevin William O'Connell is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
|Quarterback
|2009-present
|2008
|-
|Clint Oldenburg
Clint Oldenburg
Clint Steven Oldenburg is an American football offensive tackle for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.Oldenburg has also been a member of the New...
|Offensive tackle
|2007
|2007*
|-
|Roman Phifer
Roman Phifer
Roman Zubinsky Phifer is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He is currently the assistant linebackers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Phifer's documentary film Blood Equity was released in November, 2009.Phifer played for the New...
|Linebacker
|1999-2000
|2001-04
|-
|Anthony Pleasant
Anthony Pleasant
Anthony Devon Pleasant , is the defensive line coach for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and a former professional American football player who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft. A 6'5", 280-lb...
|Defensive end
|1998-99
|2001-03
|-
|Jason Pociask
Jason Pociask
Jason Pociask [] is a former American football fullback and tight end. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
|Tight end
|2006-07
|2008
|-
|Hank Poteat
Hank Poteat
Henry Major "Hank" Poteat, II is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh.Poteat has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and...
|Cornerback
|2006-2008
|2004-06
|-
|Walter Rasby
Walter Rasby
Walter Herbert Rasby is a former professional American football tight end. Rasby played in 11 NFL seasons from 1994-2006 for seven teams. He played college football at Wake Forest University....
|Tight end
|2006*
|2006*
|-
|Otis Smith
|Cornerback
|1995-96, 1997-99
|1996, 2000-02
|-
|Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...
|Quarterback
|1998-2003, 2005
|2006
|-
|Tom Tupa
Tom Tupa
Thomas Joseph Tupa, Jr. is a former American football punter and quarterback in the National Football League.-Personal life and high school career:...
|Punter/Quarterback
|1999-2001
|1996-98
|-
|Raymond Ventrone
Raymond Ventrone
Raymond "Bubba" Ventrone is an American football safety for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Villanova....
|Defensive back
|2007*
|2005-6, 2007-8
|-
|Dedric Ward
Dedric Ward
Dedric Lamar Ward is a former American football player and coach. He played Wide Receiver, having played for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys...
|Wide receiver
|1997-2000
|2003
|-
|Jermaine Wiggins
Jermaine Wiggins
Jermaine Wiggins is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Georgia....
|Tight end
|2000
|2000-01
|-
|Damien Woody
Damien Woody
Damien Michael Woody is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets of the National Football League...
|Offensive lineman
|2008-present
|1999-2003
|-
|Danny Woodhead
Danny Woodhead
Danny Woodhead is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Chadron State....
|Running back/Wide receiver
|2008-10
|2010-present
|-
|colspan="8" align="center"|* indicates offseason or training camp only
|}
Connections between the two teams predated the Parcells-Belichick eras. Mike Holovak
Mike Holovak
Michael Joseph Holovak was an American football player, coach, and executive. He played college football at Boston College, where he was named an All-American at fullback in 1942. Holovak was selected in the first round of the 1943 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Rams...
coached the then-Boston Patriots 1961-68, going 5-10-1 against the Jets; he joined the Jets front office and in the 1976 season finale (a 42-3 rout by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
) was named interim head coach, replacing Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz
Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
. Holovak was responsible for drafting players such as linebacker Greg Buttle
Greg Buttle
Gregory Ellis Buttle is a retired American football linebacker for the New York Jets. He played college football at Penn State University. He was named a Consensus All-American in 1975. In 2005, he was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame.-High school:Buttle grew up in Linwood, New...
, defensive lineman Joe Klecko
Joe Klecko
Joseph Edward Klecko is a former American football player as a defensive lineman best remembered for his days as a member of the New York Jets' famed "New York Sack Exchange."-Temple University Owls:...
of later New York Sack Exchange
New York Sack Exchange
The New York Sack Exchange is a nickname given to the New York Jets defensive line of the early 1980s, consisting of Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam.-Origins:...
fame, and quarterback Richard Todd for the Jets, but he quit the organization after the 1977 draft because he'd been passed over for the head coaching job by Walt Michaels
Walt Michaels
Walt Michaels was a former professional football player and coach who is best remembered for his six-year tenure as head coach of the NFL's New York Jets from 1977-1982.-Collegiate and early NFL career:...
. Ironically, sixteen years later Holovak had to break up a fight between two assistant coaches as Houston Oilers GM, when the Oilers defeated the Jets in the 1993 season finale.
Mike Hickey
Mike Hickey
Michael Francis Hickey was a second baseman in Major League Baseball. He played in one game for the Boston Beaneaters of the National League on September 14, 1899. He played college ball at the College of the Holy Cross and he had an extensive minor league career from 1893 through...
was an assistant personnel director for the Patriots under Chuck Fairbanks
Chuck Fairbanks
Chuck Fairbanks is a former American football coach, a head coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. The offensive and defensive systems he introduced and helped develop have proven influential in the NFL....
before joining the Jets and running their drafts in the 1980s; Hickey has been criticized over the years for a number of personnel choices, none more controversial than his 1983 decision not to draft Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
.
Dick Steinberg was general manager of the Patriots in the 1980s but was released with coach Raymond Berry
Raymond Berry
Raymond Emmett Berry is a former football wide receiver. He played for the Baltimore Colts during their two NFL championship wins. He later had a career in coaching, highlighted by his trip to Super Bowl XX as head coach of the New England Patriots...
after the 1989 season. Steinberg was hired as Jets GM for 1990, but he was blamed for poor draft picks, notably unproductive running back Blair Thomas
Blair Thomas
Blair Lamar Thomas is a former professional American football player and coach. He played running back for six seasons in the National Football League. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.-High school:Thomas was an all-state football player at Frankford High School...
and quarterback Browning Nagle
Browning Nagle
Browning Nagle was a quarterback for the National Football League's New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons. He also played as a quarterback for the Arena Football League's Orlando Predators and Buffalo Destroyers.-Career:...
, and for missing on drafting quarterback Brett Favre
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons , Green Bay Packers , New York Jets and Minnesota...
after he tried to swing a draft-day deal with the Phoenix Cardinals only to have the Cardinals back out at the last minute.
Ron Erhardt
Ron Erhardt
Ron Erhardt is a former football coach at both the collegiate and professional levels, and from 1979-1981 served as head coach of the National Football League's New England Patriots.-College assistant and high school head coach:...
was a member of Chuck Fairbanks
Chuck Fairbanks
Chuck Fairbanks is a former American football coach, a head coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. The offensive and defensive systems he introduced and helped develop have proven influential in the NFL....
' staff with the Patriots in the 1970s, and was elevated to head coach 1979-81; his Patriots squads went 3-3 against the Jets, including a 56-3 massacre of the Jets in September 1979. In 1996 he was hired as Jets offensive coordinator before retiring from football after the 1997 season; he was a notable target of the wrath of Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
in the rookie receiver's 1997 book "Just Give Me The Damn Ball."
Connections during the Belichick-Mangini Era include family connections. Derrick Gaffney
Derrick Gaffney
Derrick Tyrone Gaffney is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for eight seasons in the 1970s and 1980s...
was a Jets wide receiver 1978-87; his son Jabar Gaffney
Jabar Gaffney
Derrick Jabar Gaffney is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
was a Patriots WR from 2006-8. Also, Joe Klecko
Joe Klecko
Joseph Edward Klecko is a former American football player as a defensive lineman best remembered for his days as a member of the New York Jets' famed "New York Sack Exchange."-Temple University Owls:...
was part of the Jets' famous New York Sack Exchange
New York Sack Exchange
The New York Sack Exchange is a nickname given to the New York Jets defensive line of the early 1980s, consisting of Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam.-Origins:...
defensive line, while his son Dan Klecko
Dan Klecko
Dan Klecko is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Temple....
was a reserve player on the Patriots' defensive line and also played fullback on goal line pushes in their Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
dynasty.
The two teams share bitter rivalries with their divisional rivals Buffalo
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Miami
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as well as with the Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
and from time to time have needed or wanted help from each other in key games; in 2001 the Patriots needed a Jets victory over the Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the season finale to lock up the AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
while the Jets needed the win to secure a playoff berth; in 2002 the Jets needed a Patriots win over Miami to make the playoffs; in 2009 it was the Jets who ended the quest of Indianapolis for a perfect season two years after New England went 16-0. The two teams have also shared bitter playoff moments involving referee Ben Dreith
Ben Dreith
Ben Dreith is a former American professional football on-field official who worked from 1960 to 1969 in the American Football League and from 1970 to 1990 in the NFL. Prior to his teaching and officiating career, he was a three-sport athlete at the University of Northern Colorado.Dreith developed...
; Dreith officiated New England's controversial 1976 playoff loss to the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and also was referee in the Jets' 1986 playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns; he was criticized by Jets players defending teammate Mark Gastineau
Mark Gastineau
Marcus Dell Gastineau is a former American football player who was a leading defensive end for the New York Jets from 1979 to 1988. A five-time Pro Bowler, his 100½ quarterback sacks in only his first 100 starts in the NFL made him one of the quickest and most feared pass rushers of his generation...
following his controversial hit on Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar
Bernie Kosar
Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Kosar, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Kosar played for the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993 and then finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins.-Early life and high school career:A Hungarian-American...
.
As noted above, games between the two teams have often played out the rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball. During games between the two teams, there are derogatory chants made at the Red Sox during games at the Meadowlands and at the Yankees during games in New England.