How sweet! Jets fans can’t wait for the October 27 rematch.
Jets-Patriots history began in 1997 when the Jets held secret talks with Bill Parcells, trying to lure him from the Patriots. Eventually, the Jets got their man, but they did so in a most unusual way—through a trade. But that history includes a touché. Three years later, the Pats turned the tables, speaking secretly with Bill Belichick about becoming their head coach and football operations director. Belichick eventually left, and (just as with Parcels) it was via the trade route.
The Pats got the better end of the deal, mainly because Belichick lucked into Tom Brady, who took over as QB after Drew Bledsoe’s injury in Game 2 of the 2001 season. Belichick and Brady then won six Super Bowl championships. Along the way (and for New York, it’s the most important part of his saga), those two had a 15-game winning streak vs. the Jets. Meanwhile, the Jets had two good years of Parcells, including a 1998 AFC Championship Game appearance. That was it.
Now, flash forward to Thursday night. For the first time since 1995, the Jets and Patriots faced off Thursday night without Belichick on the sidelines. At the time, Belichick was Parcells’ defensive coordinator with the Patriots. That 1995 game was a dud (IMHO), but Thursday night’s game was anything but. By scoring margin (24-3), the Jets had its biggest win over England in 25 years. Moreover, it was the Jets’ second win in a row against their tormentors. And given my watching of the game, there might be more consecutive wins before the Patriots regain the upper hand.
Why? The Patriots stink and will likely get a top-five overall in the next Draft. They can’t defend (NYJ had 400 offensive yards), and the Pats’ offense is … well … offensive, producing a paltry 139, including 78 ground yards.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers moved the ball easily, finishing 27 of 35 for 281 yards with two touchdowns. Garrett Wilson (five receptions, one touchdown for 33 yards) and Ty Conklin (five receptions, 93 yards) had their way with the Patriots’ secondary all night.
Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, on the other hand, offered nothing. The Jets treated him like a punching bag because the Patriots’ line was struggling, making him indecisive and running for his life (sacked five times). Considering how foul their offensive line is, the Patriots would be hard-pressed to start their No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye, who played in garbage time against the Jets.
The Jets have a window of opportunity to be good if Rodgers can play into his mid-40s. Still, this year’s team is a work in progress. It is good enough to make the playoffs, but just how good will likely remain a question mark until November.
Between now and then, there’s the October 27 rematch in Foxborough. Could the Jets get a third consecutive win? I’d bet on that because–when you look at the larger picture–the once-mighty Patriots have fallen … hard.
Who thought that these two teams would trade places so quickly? Not this writer.
