As the Patriots and the Jets prepare to renew their rivalry on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, here’s an intriguing statistic that was unearthed by the highly competent folks behind the scenes (which offsets the incompetence of the on-screen guys) at Pro Football Talk on NBCSN.
In his first meeting of the year with the Jets under Rex Ryan, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has won three and lost two. In the second games, Brady has amassed a record of 4-0.
Brady’s completion percentage in the first games is a mere 56.8 (112 of 129). In the second games, Brady has completed 68.3 percent of his throws (93 of 136).
Brady has 245.8 passing yards in game one; 322.0 in game two. Six touchdowns and four interceptions in game one; 11 touchdowns and no picks in game two.
Of course, in 2010 there was a rubber match that the Jets won in New England. But this isn’t the third game between the teams, it’s the second. Based on recent history, that could be a very good day for Brady.