Timeline: Rise and fall of the Patriots

< Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Next >

Dec. 15-17 - Permission DENIED
New York Jets v New England Patriots
Jim Rogash / Getty Images
Early in the week, it's revealed that the Jets had a video man removed from the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Patriots in 2006. Eyebrows rise. Jets coach Eric Mangini says New York had permission. Belichick tells NBCSports.com that neither he nor the Patriots video staff granted permission. The Jets give NBCSports.com a statement saying they will "agree to disagree."

With Spygate back in the headlines and the Patriots dominance well-established, speculation about how lopsided the score will be is everywhere. So too is how Belichick will interact in the postgame handshake. Belichick says he won’t do cartwheels. After a boring 20-10 win, an effusive Belichick goes to midfield, grabs Mangini’s hand and says, "Great game, Eric! Awesome!" And if you don’t get the humor in that, you’re not going to get that kind of humor ever.