The 2020 season was the New York Jets' 51st in the National Football League (NFL), their 61st overall, their second under general manager Joe Douglas and their second and final under head coachAdam Gase. They failed to improve upon their 7–9 record from 2019 or return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Their 2–14 record was their worst record since their 1996 campaign in which they went 1–15, and shortly after the Jets closed their season with a loss to the New England Patriots the team fired Gase as head coach.
The Jets became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention after a loss in Week 11 dropped them to 0–10.[1][2] They continued their losing streak to week 14, resulting in a franchise-worst 0–13 start, before they claimed their first victory in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams to prevent a winless season. Their point differential of -214 was the worst of all teams during the season.[3] With the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2002 and 2007 respectively, the Jets now have the longest active postseason drought in the NFL, with 2010 being the last season the Jets qualified for the postseason.
The Jets traded a second-round selection (48th) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a second- and a third-round selection (59th and 101st).[37]
The New York Jets traded a third-round selection (101st) to the New England Patriots in exchange for two fourth-round selections (125th and 129th) and a 2021 sixth-round selection.[38]
With the loss, the Jets dropped to 0–4 for a second consecutive season. It marked the first time in franchise history they've suffered consecutive seasons when they started 0–4.
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Five: Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets – Game summary
With a 30–10 loss to the Cardinals in Week 5, the Jets experienced their first 0–5 start since their disastrous 1996 season. Two days later, the Jets released disgruntled running back Le'Veon Bell less than two years after signing him to a massive contract.[50] This was also the first of two games in which backup Quarterback Joe Flacco started due to injuries to starting Quarterback Sam Darnold.
Week 6: at Miami Dolphins
Week Six: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
With the shutout loss (the first shutout of the season), the Jets started 0–6 for the first time since the 1996 season. With the Giants and Falcons winning their first games this week, this left the Jets as the only winless team in the NFL for 2020.
Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week Seven: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – Game summary
Amidst heavy criticism, Head Coach Adam Gase gave up offensive play calling duties, instead leaving it to Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains. Under Loggains, the Jets were able to build a 10–6 lead over the Bills by halftime after a Sergio Castillo field goal and La'Mical Perine touchdown. Despite this, the Jets offense struggled in the second half. While the Jets were able to prevent Buffalo from scoring touchdowns, the Bills were able to score enough field goals to hand the Jets an 18–10 loss. With this loss, the Jets dropped to 0–7 for the first time since 1996.
Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week Eight: New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
After Sam Darnold suffered a shoulder injury, Joe Flacco would start for the New York Jets once again. Facing an injury-plagued New England Patriots team, the game was seen as a big chance for the Jets to get their first win of the season. Flacco threw touchdown passes to Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder, alongside two Sergio Castillo field goals to lead 20–10 at halftime. However, the Patriots rallied and in the final five minutes of the game, following a crucial interception by Joe Flacco, the Patriots were able to tie the game 27–27. As time expired, Nick Folk kicked the game winning field goal for the New England win. With the loss, the Jets started 0–9 for the first time in franchise history while losing their 9th consecutive game to the Patriots since 2015. They were also eliminated from AFC East division title contention for the eighteenth consecutive season.[51]
Week 11: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week Eleven: New York Jets at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
The Jets started 0–10 for the first time in franchise history. With this loss, along with the Colts beating the Packers, the Jets became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention. It also secured a full decade without postseason football for the Jets. The longest since the 1970's.
Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Dolphins
3
10
0
7
20
Jets
3
0
0
0
3
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date: November 29
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Sunny, 54 °F (12 °C)
Game attendance: 0
Referee: Adrian Hill
TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton and AJ Ross
The Jets started 0–11 for the first time in franchise history, and their only score in the entire game came from a field goal put up in the first quarter by Sergio Castillo.
Week 13: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week Thirteen: Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Raiders
7
10
7
7
31
Jets
7
6
0
15
28
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date: December 6
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Sunny and Cold, 39 °F (4 °C)
Game attendance: 0
Referee: Shawn Smith
TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
The Jets led much of the early portions of the game, scoring two early touchdowns and holding a 13–7 lead. Despite giving up the next seventeen points and entering the fourth quarter trailing by eleven, the Jets scored twice and reclaimed the lead with 5:34 remaining. On the ensuing Las Vegas drive, the Raiders were stopped on fourth down inside the New York 10-yard line when Derek Carr threw an incompletion on fourth down after offsetting penalties negated a first down.
The Jets forced the Raiders to use their remaining time outs on their possession and punted the ball back to them, leaving the Raiders sixty-one yards from the end zone with thirty-five seconds left. Carr managed to get Las Vegas into New York territory on the first play of the drive, with Darren Waller hauling in a completion to the 46-yard line. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, Carr threw two consecutive incompletions to bring up third down with thirteen seconds showing.
On third down, Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams decided to call for a play referred to as a zero blitz, which results in nearly every defender rushing the play and a lone defensive back remaining in coverage. The call backfired on the Jets as receiver Henry Ruggs was able to get past rookie cornerback Lamar Jackson, leaving himself wide open and enabling Carr to easily find him for the go-ahead touchdown with five seconds left. The Raiders won the game 31–28.
With the loss, the Jets fell to 0–12 for the first time in franchise history,[52] becoming the first team to start 0–12 since the 2017 Browns, who failed to win a game that season. After the game Williams drew criticism for his play call from the media, players, and coach Adam Gase and after discussions between Gase and team administrators, Williams was relieved of his duties the following day.[53][52]
Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks
Week Fourteen: New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
The Jets suffered a blowout loss in their second trip to the West Coast in the season. The game is known for being Seahawks safety Jamal Adams' first game against the Jets since Gang Green traded him in the 2020 offseason. Another ex-Jet, quarterback Geno Smith, came into the game late in the third quarter. The Jets extend their franchise-worst start to 0–13, and the 13 losses in a row also set a franchise record.
Week 15: at Los Angeles Rams
Week Fifteen: New York Jets at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
The Jets entered the game as 17-point underdogs. They dominated in the first half and never once gave up the lead. After the Rams failed to convert on fourth down, that allowed the Jets to kneel and improve to 1–13. This win also prevented the Jets from joining the 2017 Cleveland Browns and 2008 Detroit Lions among the only teams to finish 0–16.[54] The Jets became only the sixth team in history to win a game after starting 0–13.[note 1]
Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Sixteen: Cleveland Browns at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total
Browns
3
0
7
6
16
Jets
7
6
7
3
23
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date: December 27
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Sunny and cold, 37 °F (3 °C)
Game attendance: 0
Referee: Land Clark
TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and AJ Ross
The Jets defeated the Browns for the first time since 2017 as they avoided their first one-win season since 1996. With the win, the Jets relinquished the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft to Jacksonville,[55] and also prevented two teams finishing 1–15 in the same season for the first time.[note 2]
Week 17: at New England Patriots
Week Seventeen: New York Jets at New England Patriots – Game summary
With their 10th striaght loss against New England the Jets ended their season at 2–14, their worst record since 1996. With the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinching playoff spots, the Jets now hold the longest active postseason drought in the NFL, dating back to 2010. This would be the last time Sam Darnold would start for the Jets as he would be traded to the Carolina Panthers during the off-season. The Jets were also the only team to lose all six games in their division.
^ abTennessee finished ahead of Indianapolis in the AFC South based on division record.
^ abBaltimore claimed the No. 5 seed over Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory. Division tiebreaker used to eliminate Cleveland (see below).
^ abBaltimore claimed the No. 5 seed over Cleveland based on head-to-head sweep.
^ abCleveland claimed the No. 6 seed over Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory.
^ abNew England finished ahead of the LA Chargers based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
