The year was 2010 and the upstart New York Jets were making noise behind larger-than-life head coach Rex Ryan, young quarterback Mark Sanchez, veterans D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Bart Scott, as well as future Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson and Darrelle Revis.
Not only did Gang Green qualify for its second consecutive postseason, but Ryan engineered a historic playoff upset of the hated New England Patriots in Foxborough. Were it not for a gut-wrenching 24-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship, the Jets would have played in Super Bowl XLV against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Fast forward to Sunday’s overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins, and the snapshot changes considerably. The 32-26 defeat dropped New York to 3-10, eliminating interim coach Jeff Ulbrich’s team from postseason contention and putting Rodgers’ future with the team into further doubt.
Worst of all, the Jets have now failed to reach the postseason since their inspiring 2010 campaign. And that 14-year playoff drought stands as the longest current dry spell in any of the country’s four major leagues: the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball.
‘Thanks, I almost forgot since it’s not like we hear this literally daily,’ one fan joked online after former ESPN host Trey Wingo reminded everyone of this fact.
Rodgers nearly faced the Jets in Super Bowl XLV, but New York hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks during a news conference after the loss
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Despite the disappointing season, some fans were encouraged with the loss, given its implications for the 2025 NFL Draft.
‘Also one game out of the first pick which at this point is most important,’ one man remarked on X.
Many more fans of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres were quick to mention that their favorite hockey team isn’t far behind. With a record of 11-13-3, the Sabres’ playoff drought could hit 14 seasons if they fail to qualify this spring.
Interestingly, Buffalo has rehired Lindy Ruff, the last coach who guided the Sabres to the postseason back in 2010-2011.
Ryan meanwhile, has been open about his interest in rejoining the Jets after being let go after missing the playoffs each year from 2011 through 2014.
‘I have some unfinished business with that franchise,’ Ryan told Barstool Sports last month.
‘That particular franchise, you know my dad [Buddy Ryan] was there forever, he won a Super Bowl [as a defensive line coach], and it’s super close to me,’ Ryan continued.
‘I would get back in it if I thought I could make a difference and I think I could make a big difference with that team.’
Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime and Miami overcame Aaron Rodgers’ first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years for the win
Rex Ryan and Josh Mauga of the New York Jets celebrate a 23-20 ovetime win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 7, 2010. New York would reach the playoffs that season
The Sabres face their own potential 14-year playoff drought if they can’t reach the postseason this spring. Buffalo has re-hired Lindy Ruff – the last coach to guide the Sabres to the playoffs
For all their struggles this season, the Jets nearly matched the Dolphins blow for blow on Sunday.
Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime and Miami overcame Aaron Rodgers’ first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years for the win.
After Jason Sanders tied it with 7 seconds left in regulation with a 42-yard field goal, Tagovailoa quickly moved the Dolphins (6-7) down the field and they beat the Jets for the ninth straight time in Miami.
That came after Anders Carlson gave the struggling Jets the lead with a 42-yarder with 52 seconds remaining. But Malik Washington put the Dolphins in great position to help set up Sanders’ field goal with a 45-yard kickoff return to Miami’s 46-yard line.
Tagovailoa was 33 of 47 for 331 yards and two TDs. He had just one incompletion on Miami’s eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped by Smith’s fourth touchdown of the season.
Smith didn’t have a catch before catching three for 44 yards on the winning drive.
Rodgers was 27 of 39 for 339 yards, ending a drought of 34 regular-season games without a 300-yard passing game – dating to December 12, 2021, while with Green Bay – and had a TD pass to Davante Adams.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and tight end Tyler Conklin (83) leave the field
But Rodgers could only watch from the sideline in overtime as the Jets never got the ball after blowing a second straight second-half lead.
Rodgers and Adams connected for a 3-yard score in the third quarter, the pair’s 79th touchdown in the regular and postseason. They passed Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown for the fourth-most by a quarterback-receiver duo in NFL history.
Adams finished with nine catches and 109 yards.
The Dolphins trailed entering the fourth quarter, but Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek Hill for a 4-yard TD and Jaylen Waddle caught the two-point conversion to tie it at 23. Hill caught 10 passes for 115 yards, and Waddle added 99 yards on nine catches.
The Jets took a 20-15 lead in the third on Adams’ touchdown that was set up by a 42-yard pickup by Garrett Wilson, who beat cornerback Jalen Ramsey on a double move to get open.
A 40-yard field goal by Carlson later stretched New York’s lead to 8 after the Dolphins went scoreless in the quarter.
The matchup pitted the Jets’ No. 2-ranked pass defense against Tagovailoa, the NFL’s most accurate passer, and Miami’s No. 9-ranked pass defense against the four-time MVP Rodgers who has had a subpar season.
Both quarterbacks were strong and the teams played rather evenly at first, with each scoring on their first three possessions. The first punt of the game was on Miami’s first drive of the second half, and the Jets scored on their first five possessions.
Tagovailoa had just three incompletions in the first half and was 3 for 3 on Miami’s final drive of the second quarter, moving the Dolphins into field goal range in 45 seconds to set up a 57-yarder by Sanders, which tied the kicker’s career best.
Sanders also made kicks of 39 and 24 yards, and De’Von Achane had a 2-yard rushing touchdown on Miami’s opening possession.
Rodgers moved the Jets inside Miami’s 20 three times in the first half. Isaiah Davis ran for a 17-yard score, and Carlson made field goals of 28 and 30 yards.
Alas, it was not enough for Ulrbich & Co., who now move on to face Jacksonville on the road next week.