Sunday night, one of the best rivalries in the NFL kicks off with its latest chapter.
The New York Jets (5-3) and New England Patriots (5-3) have had an intense rivalry for years, especially since Bill Belichick resigned as “HC of the NYJ” to jump ship all those years ago.
For the better part of a decade, it had been a pretty one-sided rivalry. The Patriots won three Super Bowls in a four-year span under Belichick, while the Jets looked for a sense of direction and stability.
Slowly but surely, the Jets built a solid foundation. Woody Johnson purchased the team, and eventually promoted Mike Tannenbaum to the position of general manager.
Under Tannenbaum, the Jets have thrived, bringing in talent through the draft in Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Mark Sanchez, Dustin Keller, and Shonn Greene, among others.
But it wasn’t until 2009, when Rex Ryan was hired as head coach, that the Jets’ vision for success finally came full circle.
In the first two seasons under Ryan, the Jets have made incredible playoff runs, twice reaching the AFC Championship game with multiple road playoff victories along the way.
Two seasons in a row, the Jets have gone on the road as a Wild Card team, beating the likes of Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and yes, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots along the way.
While the Patriots have been crowned division champions the past two years, it was the Jets who were the last team standing representing the AFC East both years.
It was the Jets who went into Foxboro last year and knocked off a 14-2 Patriots team in their own house, with Rex Ryan outcoaching Bill Belichick, and Mark Sanchez outplaying Tom Brady.
Now, it’s the Jets turn to take control of the AFC East and earn their first home playoff game under Ryan.
On Sunday, the Jets put their 4-0 home record on the line against their bitter rivals. The Patriots have lost two straight, and the Jets smell blood.
A win Sunday night would put the Jets in the driver’s seat to control their own destiny the rest of the season. While there’s a long way to go, having a leg up on New England could go a long way.
It won’t be easy. It never is. But Ryan’s Jets are no pushovers. There’s a reason Ryan vs. Belichick is deadlocked at 3-3 overall, including the postseason game last year.
These Jets fear no man, no team, no coach. They’ll be ready to prove it on Sunday. If you’re not pumped up yet, you probably haven’t seen this video clip yet.
The entire football-loving nation will have their eyes on MetLife Stadium Sunday night. Jets. Patriots. The rivalry continues.
Can’t wait.
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