The Patriots visit the Jets on Sunday, which isn't unusual because the Patriots, by virtue of playing in the AFC East, face the Jets in the Meadowlands every year. So what's different this time around? For starters, it looks like the Pats will be without Rob Gronkowski. Oh, and there's also this: Somebody asked Bill Belichick if he finds the Butt Fumble as hilarious as the rest of us.
A quick history lesson: It's been nearly four years to the day since the two teams met at MetLife Stadium on Thanksgiving night in a nationally televised game. Things got out of hand early, and by halftime the Pats led 35-3. New England would cruise to a 49-19 victory. But the only thing anyone remembers is Mark Sanchez running full speed into the backside of Jets guard Brandon Moore. The collision caused Sanchez to fumble, and it was recovered by Patriots safety Steve Gregory, who sashayed into the end zone to give New England a 21-0 lead.
Behold:
So with the anniversary upon us, and Belichick's role in this historic event, Ye Olde Butt Fumble came up at his press conference. Needless to say, Belichick wasn't amused. Not even a little bit.
In case you couldn't make out Belichick's response:
Belichick was asked about the butt fumble. "I don't think we'll get to that."
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) November 23, 2016
Then sarcastically: "Great question though. That's awesome."
To be fair, the Patriots' Twitter feed has previously had some fun with the Butt Fumble
#TBT to another #Patriots-Jets Thursday night game: pic.twitter.com/MRYi4bdqDa
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 16, 2014
In related news: We're guessing Belichick doesn't run the team's Twitter account.
For the Butt Fumble history buffs, following that game, the Jets didn't play another nationally televised home game until September 2014 against the Bears. In the days leading up to the meeting, then-coach Rex Ryan promised a better effort than the Butt Fumble Bowl.
"Yeah let's hope that doesn't happen again -- yikes," he said at the time. "It won't be hard to show better than that. I will guarantee we play better than that. Talk about going out on a limb. That's true, though, that was horrible."
The Bears won 27-19 and Jets starting quarterback Geno Smith didn't fumble once.