Patriots’ McCourty twins enter 2019 tied in forced fumbles

Devin McCourty and Jason McCourty share a birthday, a resemblance, a Super Bowl memory and an alma mater. They share a list of quarterbacks that both have intercepted since entering the league, too.

But the identical twins in the New England Patriots’ secondary also share a tally of forced fumbles.

Devin and Jason have jarred nine footballs free over the course of their NFL tenures. Apiece.

When have the safety and cornerback, drafted one year and five rounds apart out of Rutgers, jarred them? And just whom have they jarred them against?

Here’s a recovery.

DEVIN MCCOURTY’S TALLY

Dec. 12, 2010: Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox – Knox’s grab met the rookie Pro Bowler’s grasp. Then, it was gathered by Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton, who returned it for a 35-yard touchdown. The temperature on that snowy Chicago afternoon was nine degrees.

Dec. 26, 2010: Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick – Fitzpatrick scrambled for a gain of 14 yards, as well as a loss of possession for Buffalo. Well-traveled Patriots defensive end Eric Moore picked up what Devin McCourty put down.

Nov. 11, 2012: Bills running back Fred Jackson – Jackson’s rushing attempt ended at the New England one-yard line, and with the ball elsewhere upon further review. It ended in the hands of Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington.

Nov. 22, 2012: Jets running back Joe McKnight – McKnight, who amassed two touchdowns and consecutive 1,000-yard seasons as New York’s kickoff returner, was tragically shot and killed in December 2016. He was 28 years old.

Sept. 29, 2013: Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones – Jones posted six receptions for 108 yards on the evening, and this one crossed paths with New England’s No. 32. Its destination was out of bounds as Atlanta retained possession.

Oct. 6, 2013: Bengals running back Giovani Bernard – The carry by Cincinnati’s Bernard gave way to a recovery by then-Patriots captain Jerod Mayo. New England’s current inside linebackers coach advanced it two yards.

Oct. 12, 2014: Bills running back C.J. Spiller – Spiller met the minutes-older McCourty while with Buffalo. The result was a fumble recovery by Concordia-St. Paul product and Patriots draft choice Zach Moore.

Jan. 1, 2017: Dolphins running back Damien Williams – A catch by Williams, whom New England most recently faced in the AFC Championship Game as a Kansas City Chief, ended with linebacker Shea McClellin returning the ball 69 yards versus Miami.

Oct. 4, 2018: Colts running back Jordan Wilkins – A rookie out of Ole Miss last fall, Wilkins had this play-action pass grounded in the Indianapolis flat. It would be fielded by the Patriots’ first-rounder from the 2010 draft.

JASON MCCOURTY’S TALLY

Dec. 25, 2009: Chargers fullback Jacob Hester – Hester’s rushing attempt for the Chargers of San Diego would be halted by a Tennessee Titans sixth-rounder. The fumble was then gathered by defensive tackle Tony Brown.

Sept. 11, 2011: Jaguars quarterback Luke McCown – Both McCourty twins have intercepted McCown’s older brother, Josh. And in 2011, one of whom strip-sacked the younger QB. Jacksonville offensive tackle Eugene Monroe fell on the ball.

Nov. 11, 2012: Dolphins running back Reggie Bush – The third-and-13 draw to the former Heisman Trophy winner would be both forced and recovered by Jason McCourty after Bush surpassed the first-down sticks.

Oct. 13, 2013: Seahawks safety Chris Maragos – A botched field goal saw the football wind up in the hands of Maragos, a safety and special-teamer for Seattle, before Jason McCourty punched his way to a 77-yard TD.

Oct. 12, 2014: Jaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts III – The reception by Shorts III was knocked free and recovered by Avery Williamson. The Tennessee linebacker proceeded to take it 41 yards the opposite direction.

Nov. 30, 2014: Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson – Johnson, the first inductee into Houston’s Ring of Honor, witnessed one of his 1,062 career receptions become a 62-yard touchdown by the longtime Titans corner.

Sept. 17, 2017: Ravens running back Alex Collins – A Collins handoff turned into a McCourty forced fumble. A seven-yard return by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Trevon Coley followed. It marked the first fumble recovery of Coley’s NFL tenure.

Oct. 8, 2017: Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse – Kearse’s hitch route resulted in a catch, a turn upfield and a quick punch. But that punch sent the ball directly out of bounds, keeping the ball on New York’s side of the aisle.

Dec. 23, 2018: Bills tight end Jason Croom – His first forced fumble in a Patriots uniform, Jason McCourty parlayed Croom’s catch into a collection. That collection was made by former top pick Malcom Brown, now a member of the New Orleans Saints.

Both McCourty twins have forced fumbles against the AFC East’s Bills, Jets and Dolphins. They’ve both turned such turnovers into touchdowns. They’ll turn 32 this August.

Time will tell which one breaks the tie.