This Sunday, two Wesleyan alums and NFL masterminds will be facing off against each other on the sidelines. Bill Belichick ’75, the head coach of the New England Patriots, takes on his former pupil Eric Mangini ’94, who was hired as Head Coach of the New York Jets last spring. Our two sports editors provide their expert analysis on the AFC matchup.
Julian’s Prediction: New England Patriots: 17, New York Jets: 10
The Patriots may have lost their deep threat in Deion Branch, but Chad Pennington can’t throw the ball further than 20 yards. The Jets couldn’t run the ball against a pee-wee team, while the Pats have a thunder and lightning tandem that looked good last weekend. New England should be fine in the air, too, considering that the New York secondary scares me about as much as your forehand, Vijay. Plus, with Bruschi likely to be back, Belichick will have even more ways to mess with Chad’s head. New England isn’t going to blow anyone out this year, but Belichick has shown that he’s fine with running the ball, controlling the clock, and playing good defense. The Pats will mix it up against the Jets D, jump out to a lead, and play keep away until they’re 2-0. That could make this game boring, so here’s hoping that Joe Namath makes a surprise sideline appearance.
Vijay’s Prediction: New York Jets: 20, New England Patriots: 17
Now Julian, lets be honest. We know you and your Patriot fans love to poke fun at baby-faced Eric Mangini, but lets talk for a second about pretty boy Tom Brady. At the end of this season, all he’ll be good for is striking out with Tara Reid at a playboy party. He’s got no receivers to throw to these days. After the season is done and the Pats miss the playoffs, the only person Brady wouldn’t be able to strike out with is you, Julian. Let’s face it; Pats fans are in for a disappointing season. They lost franchise players in Willie McGinest, David Givens, and Adam Vinatieri. Other key members are getting old, like Tedy Bruschi and Corey Dillon, who probably couldn’t beat my grandmother in a race. Look at last week, when they took on the Bills, led by quarterback J.P. Losman, who couldn’t even hit the side of a barn with a football if he tried. In years past, the Pats would run over an incompetent team like the Bills, but they struggled to eek out a win. The Jets, coming off of an inspiring road win over Tennessee, will continue the beginning of the end of the New England Patriots dynasty. Game, set, match, Mangini.
Leave a Reply