There have not been many ways in which the Jets have been consistent over the past decade, but when it comes to losing games they’ve been as steady as anyone.
There’s been a lot of bad football from Gang Green over the last 10 years, meaning Jets fans of all ages had plenty of options to choose from when The Athletic’s Chris Burke offered an intriguing question: What’s the worst game you’ve ever seen?
For the Jets, that’s a long list. The Jets have had a lot of bad games in recent memory. It’s a major reason they haven’t made the postseason since 2010. Sometimes it’s the offense, sometimes it’s the defense and a lot of times it’s both.
It’s hard to pick just one bad Jets game, so, in no particular order, here are the worst six since 2010. There are certainly more, but these stung the most.
2010 Week 8 vs. Packers
This one was both bad and boring. The Jets returned to Metlife Stadium with a 5-1 record after the bye week and a five-game winning streak. Waiting was Aaron Rodgers and the Packers – who went on to win the Super Bowl that season. But instead of pouring on the points, the Jets dropped a goose egg and lost in a horrid 9-0 game.
Despite owning an advantage in time of possession, the Jets rarely passed half field and when the did, they turned the ball over. Mark Sanchez only threw for 256 yards with two interceptions and the team lost one fumble as well. Nick Folk had the best shot to put points on the board late in the third quarter, but he missed a 37-yard field goal.
2010 Week 13 vs. Patriots
The Patriots always have the Jets’ number, and this one was no different. The Jets scored once in this contest in a 45-3 loss. Mark Sanchez threw three interceptions with a 27.8 quarterback rating, while the defense gave up four Tom Brady touchdowns.
It was an all-around poor showing for the Jets after a nice four-game winning streak and it could have tanked their chances of making the playoffs if not for two late-season wins. Fortunately, the Jets still made their second consecutive AFC Championship appearance, but once again failed to advance to the Super Bowl.
2012 Week 12 loss to the Patriots
You knew the Butt Fumble game was coming. Arguably the most infamous loss in Jets’ history, the devastating 49-19 Thanksgiving loss featured one of the more hilarious moments in NFL history.
With the Jets already trailing 14-0 in the second quarter, Mark Sanchez fumbled the ball after he ran into the backside of Jets guard Brandon Moore. Patriots’ safety Steve Gregory picked up the ball and returned it for a touchdown to push the lead to 21. Besides the Butt Fumble, this game was sloppy for the Jets. Four other Jets fumbled the ball – three of which were lost – and Sanchez also threw an interception. It was an all-around bad night for the Jets.
2015 Week 17 vs. the Bills
Ryan Fitzpatrick and company were riding high after a five-game win streak and an overtime win over the Patriots in Week 16, but they still needed to beat the Bills in Week 17 to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010. That didn’t happen, as Fitzpatrick threw three fourth-quarter interceptions and the Jets only mustered 80 rushing yards in a devasting 22-17 loss.
The Jets fell into a 16-7 halftime deficit but rallied to within two points late in the third quarter on an Eric Decker touchdown. New York had ample chances to take the led, but Fitzpatrick threw an interception in the red zone on the Jets’ first fourth-quarter drive and then in the two subsequent drives as well. The Jets narrowly missed the playoffs that year in Todd Bowles’ first season and haven’t had a winning season since.
2018 Week 3 loss to the Browns
This ended up being Baker Mayfield’s coming out party. The Jets opened up with a nice 14-3 halftime lead but then gave up 11 unanswered points before the Browns took a late lead in the fourth quarter to win, 21-17.
Sam Darnold didn’t play particularly well, either. He completed fewer than half his passes, threw for only 168 yards without a touchdown and also tossed two picks. It was the epitome of Darnold’s up and down rookie season and displayed his proclivity for turnovers which continue to define his young career.
2019 Week 7 vs. the Patriots
Losses to the Patriots always hurt more, but this one was just embarrassing. The Jets’ failure to score a single point isn’t even the most embarrassing part of the 33-0 loss. Sam Darnold turned the ball over five times – including four interceptions – and said he was “seeing ghosts” on the field while he was mic’d up on Monday Night Football.
The Jets were never in this game, both on offense and defense. Darnold tallied only 86 passing yards, Le’Veon Bell only rushed for 70 and the defense gave up 323 yards and three rushing scores. New York likely felt re-energized after a strong win over the Cowboys the week before in Darnold’s return from a three-game absence, but the Patriots quickly silenced them.
