The Biggest to Date

It may not be Yankees-Red Sox just yet, but the New York Jets vs New England Patriots rivalry continues to make its case as one of the best in sports.

In the latest chapter, the two AFC East counterparts square off in arguably the most anticipated Monday Night Football game of the past five years. Both teams sport a 9-2 record, the best record in not only the AFC, but the entire NFL. Not since the 10-1 New York Giants visited the 10-1 San Francisco 49ers late in the 1990 season has Monday Night Football featured two teams with such outstanding records.

Over the past 15 years, there has been no shortage of memorable moments on and off the field between the Jets and Patriots.

-After leading the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI, Bill Parcells left New England to become the Head Coach of the Jets.

-In one of the best off season signings of all time, the Jets signed restricted free agent Curtis Martin away from New England. Martin would go on to become the fourth all time leading rusher in NFL history.

-Only one day after taking the job, Bill Belichick resigned as head coach of the Jets, instead deciding to become coach of the New England Patriots.

-In week 2 of the 2001 season it was Jets linebacker Mo Lewis who delivered the crushing hit on Drew Bledsoe that gave Tom Brady his chance to see the field.

-In week 10 of the 2006 season, Eric Mangini made his return to New England. The Jets defeated the Patriots 17-14. It remains the last time Tom Brady lost a regular season home game.

-Later in the 2006 season, in the only playoff meeting between the two teams, it was the Patriots who got the last laugh, defeating the Jets 37-16.

-After a 38-14 Patriots victory in week 1 of the 2007 season, the Jets caught New England violating league rules by video taping signals. The controversy is still a big story to this day.

Since Rex Ryan has taken over, his Jets own a 2-1 advantage in the rivalry. After the Patriots had won eight in a row at the Meadowlands, Ryan's Jets have won the last two matchups in their home stadium. The only matchup in New England resulted in a Mark Sanchez meltdown (four interceptions, one lost fumble) and a 31-14 Patriot victory. Though the Patriots won the AFC East last season, it was the Jets who made the most noise, advancing to the AFC Conference Championship game.

Going into this season, the Jets were the hot ticket and trendy Super Bowl pick. Though the Jets had not won the division since 2002, the experts predicted this would finally be the year in which the Jets overcame New England to seize control of the AFC East. That may still very well be the case, but they must get through the Patriots on Monday Night to do so.

These two teams could not be more opposite. The Jets are arrogant, cocky, and loud while the Patriots are quiet, confident, and determined. Rex Ryan has already changed the "Patriot-like" culture created by his predecessor Eric Mangini. If Rex wants to truly make his mark then his Jets will need to win this game and ultimately win the division crown.

Though the rivalry was overwhelmingly in New England's favor before 2008, winning 11 out of 12 against the Jets, the tide has turned lately, with the Jets winning 3 out of the last 4 meetings between the two. This Monday Night game is eerily similar to the Thursday Night matchup between the 6-3 Jets and 6-3 Patriots in New England in week 11 of the 2008 NFL season. First place was on the line and the Jets pulled out a memorable 34-31 overtime victory. However, Brett Favre and Matt Cassell were the quarterbacks that night, not Mark Sanchez and Tom Brady. Oh and Eric Mangini was still the coach, not Rex Ryan.

This Monday Night, one of the game's best rivalries will install a new chapter into its storied history. With the amount of buildup and hype, it has the chance to be most memorable game ever between the two.