Few rivalries have had more juice over the last decade than the New England Patriots and New York Jets. Despite New England's dominance over the AFC East this century, the Jets have enjoyed some notable moments against the machine.
‘Thursday Night Football’ live stream: How to watch Jets vs. Patriots 2014 online
New England aims for its second straight win over an AFC East opponent when the stumbling Jets come to Foxborough.
Tom Szczerbowski
In 2006, Eric Mangini became the Jets head coach after serving as an assistant under Bill Belichick. The games became famous for postgame handshakes as cold as the on-field temperatures. In 2009, Rex Ryan replaced Mangini and immediately proclaimed he was not there to “kiss rings,” speaking to Belichick’s three titles. After reaching the AFC Championship in his first year, Ryan engineered a massive upset over the 14-2 Patriots in the 2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs, going into Gillette Stadium and toppling New England.
However, the Jets have gone downhill since, while the Patriots have reeled off three more division titles. There was no more embarrassing moment for New York than Mark Sanchez’s butt-fumble in 2012 on Thanksgiving, a play which will live in this rivalry’s lore.
This year, New England is 4-2 and coming off two resounding wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills to regain the AFC East lead. The Patriots were left for dead by many pundits following a 41-14 beating at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, but things have been clicking since. One of the main reasons for the resurgence is Rob Gronkowski, who has caught 20 passes for 194 yards and a touchdowns. Before that, Gronkowski had 147 yards and had not recorded more than 44 yards in a single game.
New York is headed in the opposite direction with five consecutive losses after beating the hapless Oakland Raiders in Week 1. The Jets have been devastated by their lack of a passing attack, ranking last in the NFL with 182.2 yards per game. Geno Smith has thrown six touchdowns against seven interceptions with five fumbles, causing many in the Tri-State area to call for Michael Vick. However, Ryan has stuck with Smith in his second season.
How to watch
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS, NFL Network
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile
Odds
New England is favored by 10.5 points over New York at home, with the over/under line at 45, according to OddsShark.
Further Reading
For more on the Jets, check out Gang Green Nation.
To keep up on the Patriots, head over to Pats Pulpit.
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