SEPT. 17, 2006 – Giants Stadium

New England held off a late Jets rally and handed Eric Mangini his first loss. The Patriots took a 24-0 lead on TD runs by Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney, and a TD catch by Chad Jackson. Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles each made highlight-reel TD receptions as the Jets made their comeback, but Mike Nugent’s 42-yard field goal with 9:20 to play proved to be the final points of the game.

PATRIOTS 24, JETS 17

NOV. 12, 2006 – Gillette Stadium

Mangini beat his mentor, Bill Belichick, in just his second try, with a barrage of blitzes and two long scoring drives. The first covered 16 plays, culminating in Kevan Barlow’s touchdown and a 7-3 lead. The other went 15 plays, capped by Nugent’s 34-yard field goal. The Jets made it 17-6 on Chad Pennington’s 22-yard pass to Cotchery, then bore down and survived Tom Brady’s late comeback bid, clinching the game on Shaun Ellis’ sack and forced fumble as time expired.

JETS 17, PATRIOTS 14

SEPT. 17, 2006 – Lincoln Financial Field

Eli Manning (31 of 43, 371 yards) rallied the Giants from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit, throwing TD passes to Tim Carter and Amani Toomer. Jay Feely tied it with a 35-yard field goal with :07 to go in the fourth quarter. Manning endured eight sacks before lofting the game-winning, 31-yard TD pass to Plaxico Burress over Sheldon Brown in OT.

GIANTS 30 EAGLES 24 (OT)

DEC. 17, 2006 – Giants Stadium

The Eagles forced four Giants turnovers. The final one, a 19-yard INT return for a touchdown by DE Trent Cole, ended any hopes for a Big Blue comeback. Jeff Garcia’s TD pass to Reggie Brown with 2:57 left put Philly ahead for good.

EAGLES 36, GIANTS 22