New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito set a precedent on Sunday.
The Giants’ 10-7 victory over the New England Patriots marked the first time an undrafted rookie quarterback has ever beaten a Bill Belichick team.
Tommy DeVito is the first undrafted rookie QB to start and win a game against Bill Belichick 👏🤌 pic.twitter.com/EvwptDMxiX
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 27, 2023
Belichick is one of the most prolific head coaches in league history. He’s been with the Patriots for 23 years and boasts a 264-117 (.693) record as their head coach. There are only six rookie quarterbacks who have defeated a Bill Belichick team, and they were all first-round draft picks.
That is, until Sunday. DeVito became the seventh rookie quarterback to defeat Belichick, and he was the first undrafted rookie to do it in Belichick’s tenure.
DeVito got thrown to the wolves this season when Tyrod Taylor went down, and he’s stepped in as well as anyone could expect. Over his five games, DeVito has recorded 697 passing yards, 83 rushing yards, and eight total touchdowns. He’s also thrown three interceptions, fumbled twice (one lost), and has been sacked 28 times.
Belichick’s Patriots have not been the same since Tom Brady left, and for the first time since he was hired, his job is in jeopardy. From 2009 to 2019, the Pats ended their season at the top of the AFC East. In 2020, they were third. In 2021, they were second but lost the wild card game to the Buffalo Bills. In 2022 they were third.
Here in 2023, they currently sit at the bottom of their division and dead last in the AFC.
The struggles of Belichick should in no way diminish what DeVito and the Giants managed to do against the Pats. Big Blue has been through a lot this season and a win is a win. Congrats to DeVito. Bask in the warmth of victory while you can because Taylor is potentially taking his job back sooner rather than later.
