New York Jets centre Nick Mangold has revealed that he was surprised by the furious reaction of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after he tackled Aqib Talib.

The 29-year-old made a late hit on Talib on the sideline after the cornerback attempted to run back an intercepted pass from Geno Smith in New England's 13-10 win over the Jets.

"I made the tackle," Mangold told The Star-Ledger. "He was along the sideline. I obviously could not play defense in this league because I thought he was still in bounds, so I tried to make a tackle.

"He got heated about it. I was a little surprised by that. I figured he'd have a little bit more poise. But it's obviously an intense game, intense rivalry and tempers flare."

Mangold's fellow offensive lineman D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Willie Colon were ejected from the game in a melee that followed the incident.