Patriots vs. Jets Week 18: How to Watch, Betting Odds; Foxboro Farewell?
If Sunday's game between the New York Jets and New England Patriots is the last for coach Bill Belichick in a New England hoodie, it would be appropriate that the Jets are involved.
It was 24 years ago that Belichick shook the football world by resigning as the coach of the Jets just hours before he was supposed to be introduced as Bill Parcell's successor in New York.
© Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
Belichick was named as coach of the Patriots not long after, and we know how the rest of the story goes.
Amid rumors of his dismissal, Belichick remained stoic about the situation and maintained it's just another week of football. “I’m looking forward to working, getting ready for the Jets,” he said when asked about his future.
The frustration level has been high for Belichick and the Patriots, who at 4-12 will have their worst season as an organization since a 2-14 campaign in 1992.
The Jets have been equally frustrated this year after high hopes in the offseason when quarterback Aaron Rodgers arrived to the team, only to go down to a season-ending injury on the fourth play of the season.
New York has struggled at quarterback after Rodgers went down and eventually benched former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson twice before he suffered a concussion. Trevor Siemian will make his third start for the Jets on Sunday.
Jets coach Robert Saleh said whatever happens with Belichick in the future won't sully what he's done in the past.
“He’s transcended the sport just in terms of how they prepare, their in-game management, their communication, everything they do and, at least, he does,” Saleh said. “They’ve been a model of consistency. They have produced a lot of really good football players, obviously, and they’ve had a lot of championships. The guy has won over 300 games. You’ve got to stick around for a while to do that. He’s a special, special football coach, but he’s a good one.”
WHAT: New York Jets (6-10, 2-5 Road) at New England Patriots (4-12, 1-7 Home)
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, 1 p.m. ET
WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (64,628)
TELEVISION: FOX | FuboTV (Free trial here)
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub
TICKETS via SI TICKETS
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Patriots -1.5
TOTAL: 29.5
MONEYLINE: Jets +105, Patriots -133
