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New York Jets – New England Patriots Rivalry: A Look Back

By Joe Pietaro

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The rivalry between the New York Jets and New England Patriots goes back to the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration and has carried over from the old American Football League to the National Football League.

Back in 1960 when both teams played their inaugural seasons, they were known as the New York Titans and Boston Patriots and the overall regular season series is 56-53-1 in favor of the Pats.

Over the past five-plus decades, these teams have engaged in some very interesting affairs that are still spoken about by their respective fans and pundits alike as if they happened yesterday. With that in mind, here’s a look back at the best games between the two franchises:

*DECEMBER 17, 1966

Broadway Joe Namath threw for three touchdowns at a windy Shea Stadium, out slinging his Patriots counterpart Vito Parilli in a 38-28 Jets win, which also eliminated New England from the AFL postseason picture.

*OCTOBER 18, 1976

The infamous “Monday Night Madness” game in which hordes of intoxicated Patriots fans were arrested at Schaefer Stadium. Quarterback Steve Grogan led the 41-7 rout of the Jets.

*SEPTEMBER 9, 1979

Steve Grogan shredded the jets secondary for five touchdown passes at Schaefer Stadium in a 56-3 laugher.

*DECEMBER 28, 1985

This was the first-ever playoff match-up between the two and the Patriots bested the Jets at Giants Stadium in the AFC Wild Card Game, 26-14.

*SEPTEMBER 12, 1999

Following a run to the AFC Championship Game the previous season, the Jets hosted a home opener at Giants Stadium versus the Pats. Veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who led the way in 1998, suffered a torn achilles injury and even a furious comeback attempt led by back-up QB/punter Tom Tupa resuled in a 30-28 defeat.  

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    • *”I resign as HC of the NYJ”

    Bill Parcells finished his coaching tenure with the Jets and named assistant Bill Belichick his replacement. But a day later, Belichick resigned in a bizarre news conference at Hofstra University (the former training camp and practice facility of the Jets) that included the above scrawled on a napkin. Belichick went on to win multiple Super Bowls in New England and the Jets second choice of Al Groh lasted one season.

    *SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

    Drew Bledsoe was injured when Jets linebacker Mo Lewis blasted him near the sideline and it appeared that New England was in trouble after losing their franchise quarterback. He was replaced by a tall and thin sixth round draft choice and expectations were low. But the 10-3 Jets win that day is often forgotten, while the emergence of Tom Brady is not.

    *SEPTEMBER 9, 2007

    The one that came to be known as the “Spygate” game, this was really more about Belichick not being too happy with his former assistant coach Eric Mangini taking the Jets head coaching job the previous season. The Pats 38-17 win was marred by their video taping the Jets defensive signals from an on-field location, which resulted in Belichick issuing a public apology, he and the team being fined and losing a future draft pick.

    *SEPTEMBER 20, 2009

    New Jets head coach Rex Ryan made himself  very visible early on by stating that he was not there to kiss Belichick’s Super Bowl rings and in the 100th meeting between the teams, the Jets held on for a 16-9 win at Giants Stadium.

    *JANUARY 11, 2011

    The 14-2 Pats versus the 11-5 Jets in a divisional playoff game at Foxboro. It couldn’t have been written any better, except that the Jets pulled off an incredible 28-21 upset.

    *NOVEMBER 22, 2012

    The Thanksgiving night game forever known as the “butt fumble” affair. The Jets were in the midst of a disastrous season that would only get worse when quarterback Mark Sanchez ran into guard Brandon Moore‘s backside, falling backwards and fumbling the ball to Steve Gregory, who scooped it up for a 32-yard touchdown return. The 49-19 final score meant little after that.

    *OCTOBER 13, 2013

    The last meeting between the two and one that resulted in a 30-27 overtime victory for the Jets at home. The implementation of a new rule gave Jets kicker Nick Folk a second chance after missing a 58-yard attempt in the extra period. Pats rookie lineman Chris Jones pushed teammate Will Svitek and the flag resulted in a 15-yard penalty. Folk didn’t miss Attempt Number Two.

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