Some of us today are cheering: Yeah, the Patriots in the home opener again! Let's get Brady and company early! Some of us are jeering: The Pats in the home opener again? What's up with that, NFL?
Whichever punctuation marks you prefer on this, it is highly unusual that one NFL team plays another in four consecutive home openers, as the Jets found out Tuesday night that they will do on Sept. 20 when the New England Patriots return to the Meadowlands.
In fact, since the 1970 merger, this is the first time such a 4-for-4 has been scheduled. The last two instances occurred back in the swingin' Sixties: In the American Football League, the Denver Broncos hosted the Boston Patriots from 1966-69 (losing three of four), and in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers opened at home with the Giants from 1960-63 (splitting, 2-2).
Playing the same team in three straight home openers is rare enough. Since the 1960 birth of the AFL, it occurred only eight times (not including the above two matchups) before the Jets fell in their 19-10 moat against Matt Cassel and the Patriots in Game 2 last year. Here are those eight teams and how they fared in those home lidlifters:
| Home Team | Visiting Team | Seasons | Record |
| St. Louis Cardinals | New York Giants | 1960-62 | 0-3 |
| Washington | Cleveland | 1964-66 | 0-3 |
| Dallas | New York Giants | 1965-68 | 3-0 |
| Atlanta | San Francisco | 1969-71 | 3-0 |
| San Diego | Oakland | 1978-80 | 2-1 |
| Seattle | San Diego | 1978-80 | 0-3 |
| Minnesota | Detroit | 1994-96 | 3-0 |
| Chicago | Detroit | 2004-06 | 2-1 |
So the Jets aren't alone in losing three consecutive home openers to the same team. But they need to get things together early this season to decisively snap that streak.
I'd be interested to hear whether you think it's a good thing or a bad thing that the NFL has sent the Patriots to the Jets every year since 2006. Do the schedulemakers know precisely what sells and what will get Jets fans juiced up for the home sked ahead? Or can't they think of a better first foe at home than the Pats?
It'll take your mind off Josh Freeman, Darrius Heyward-Bay, Beanie Wells, et al., just for a while.
Flight Crew Prep Class Info
For all prospective candidates to join the 2009 New York Jets Flight Crew, we can announce the details on the first of several prep classes.
This class will be held at Lifetime Fitness, located at 14 Fernwood Road in Florham Park, N.J., on Tuesday, April 21, from 7-9 p.m. The class will be taught by Flight Crew director Denise Garvey and other Flight Crew members.
The prep class application form is available on the Flight Crew page at newyorkjets.com. and the fee for the class is $25. You may send a check or money order made out to New York Jets LLC plus the completed application to One Jets Drive, Florham Park, NJ 07932, Att: Prep Class Application.
These prep classes are voluntary sessions designed to help applicants feel more confident at Flight Crew auditions and allow potential candidates to learn the different dance styles incorporated into Flight Crew performances.
Space is limited, so sign up now.
