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How Ex-Jets Coach Eric Mangini Ignited Patriots’ Spygate Scandal

The New England Patriots and New York Jets’ have a long history with each other. The series began in 1960 when the “Boston Patriots” and “New York Titans” took the field to play one another for the very first time, but the rivalry didn’t truly start until 2007 — when the Spygate scandal was born.

What is Spygate you ask? Hopefully you have a minute — or 15.

The Patriots and Jets faced off in opening week of the 2007 NFL season, in a game between two teams looking to contend for a Super Bowl title. Bill Belichick led a blowout Patriots victory over the Jets in New York, with newcomers Randy Moss and Wes Welker exploding onto the scene and turning New England’s offense into one of the NFL’s best.