New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Credit: AP/Adrian Kraus
It has been one of the most interesting, compelling, intriguing and enduring rivalries in pro sports, a twice-annual duel that pits two cities with centuries-old history and two football teams with decades-old tradition.
Jets-Patriots. Just the mere mention brings to mind so many indelible memories:
The Joe Namath-Babe Parilli showdowns in the old AFL days after the rivalry commenced in 1960.
The Richard Todd-Steve Grogan matchups of the '70s.
Ken O’Brien-Tony Eason years a decade later.
And then the drama of the Bill Parcells years in New England.