Bill Belichick’s decision to kick off to start overtime Sunday backfired. The New York Jets marched downfield and beat New England 26-20 on Eric Decker’s 6-yard touchdown catch.
That dropped NFL teams to 6-7 when making such a decision, according to STATS, since 1997. It was the first time since the 2012 rules change allowing both teams a possession was adapted that the team opting to kick off has lost.
Here’s how the games went, with team kicking off listed first.
Oct. 26, 1997: Denver wins at Buffalo, 23-20.
Dec. 19, 1999: Seattle loses at Denver, 36-30.
Oct. 14, 2001: New England wins vs. San Diego, 29-26.
Dec. 2, 2001: Cincinnati loses at Tampa Bay, 16-13.
Nov. 24, 2002: Detroit loses at Chicago, 23-20.
Dec. 31, 2006: Pittsburgh wins at Cincinnati, 23-17.
Nov. 13, 2008: New York Jets win at New England, 36-30.
Dec. 14, 2008: Tampa Bay loses at Atlanta, 13-10.
Nov. 22, 2009: Pittsburgh loses at Kansas City, 27-24.
Nov. 7, 2010: Arizona loses at Minnesota, 27-24.
Nov. 24, 2013: New England wins vs. Denver, 34-31.
Nov. 8, 2015: Minnesota wins vs. St. Louis, 21-18.
Dec. 27, 2015: New England loses vs. New York Jets, 26-20.
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