The New York Jets have the longest playoff drought in America going into the 2026 season. Over the last 16 years, Jets fans have had to endure 15 losing seasons, with zero playoff appearances to boot. With over 30 starting quarterbacks and six head coaches, there haven’t been many positive, memorable moments since their last playoff appearance.
With Jets fans having experienced constant disappointment since 2010, the team’s top highlights become even more memorable. As such, over the last decade and a half of misery, there were five games that cut through as the Jets’ best moments.
5. Season Opener, 2023
As the Jets got ready to take on the Buffalo Bills, the energy in the Meadowlands was palpable. They had just signed Aaron Rodgers to a promising young roster. Hope was at an all-time high as the former Green Bay Packer carried the American flag in Gotham green for the first time.
The Jets forced a punt on their first defensive possession, and Breece Hall took his first carry for 26 yards. Then, disaster struck as Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on the fourth play of the Jets’ first drive.
New York kept pace with their division rival despite Rodgers’ injury. The defense stepped up, sacking Josh Allen five times and forcing the MVP candidate into four turnovers.
The offense did just enough to force overtime in the game. Breece Hall ended with 127 rushing yards in his return from an ACL injury. Garrett Wilson, while only putting up 34 yards, came down with a spectacular one-handed touchdown in the fourth quarter.
After stopping Buffalo on the first drive, they were forced to punt. Xavier Gipson, the Jets’ returner, took it 65 yards for the walk-off win. A victory allowed Jets fans to celebrate and hope that they might be okay without Aaron Rodgers.
4. Week 17, 2014
New York faced the Miami Dolphins in the 2014 season finale. This game seemed to be a turning point for the Jets’ second-year QB, Geno Smith. Smith looked like a top 10 quarterback in the win, completing 20 of 25 passes and throwing for 358 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Decker was the main recipient of Smith’s brilliance, bringing in 10 receptions and 221 yards to go with a touchdown. The Jets’ offense looked dominant in the 37-24 win over their division rival. While the 2014 season wasn’t one to remember at 4-12, Jets fans were at least left with some hope going into 2015.
3. Season Opener, 2018
The 2018 season opener saw the New York Jets in primetime as they faced the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. The Jets were starting their new rookie quarterback, Sam Darnold. Darnold, the third pick of the draft, was believed to be the savior of the franchise, and Jets fans were getting their first look.
Darnold threw a pick-six on his first pass, but after that, everything flipped in the Jets’ favor. The rookie QB looked comfortable, throwing for 198 yards and two touchdowns after his turnover. Isaiah Crowell added 102 yards rushing and two touchdowns of his own.
The defense played their part as they intercepted Matthew Stafford four times, returning one for six. Putting up 31 points in the third quarter alone, the Jets dismantled the Lions 48-17.
The Adam Gase era was off to an auspicious start. Jets fans saw a rookie who looked to be ready for the league, and a defense that was flying to the ball. Change seemed to be coming along for a franchise that was in desperate need of it.
2. Week 9, 2022
At 5-3, the Jets faced the Bills in their first real test of the season. Buffalo entered the Meadowlands having won the last two division titles. With a win, the Jets could prove that they were playoff contenders.
New York relied on their defense in a gritty victory over Buffalo. Coach Robert Saleh’s defense forced Josh Allen into two interceptions, sacking him five times. The game was capped off by a Sauce Gardner pass breakup, improving the Jets to 6-3.
This was a massive win for New York, as they had beaten a true contender in the Bills. Additionally, they found themselves at three games over .500 for the first time since 2015. Jets fans believed that if the defense could play at this level, and if the offense could stay competent, the first playoff berth in 12 years was just around the corner.
1. Week 16, 2015
Week 16 of 2015 saw the Jets playing the Patriots with control over their playoff destiny. The Jets needed to win their next two games to clinch a spot in the postseason.
New York quickly jumped out to a 17-3 lead. But a nine-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to James White tied the game at 20, sending it to overtime.
The Jets were gifted the ball after the Patriots inexplicably deferred. From there, New York wasted no time finishing the game. A 48-yard catch by Quincy Enunwa and a six-yard touchdown in the corner for Eric Decker put the game on ice.
Jets fans were over the moon after beating the evil empire that was the Patriots. New York only needed to beat the Bills in their final regular season game to make the playoffs. After a win against the best team in the division, many fans were sure that the Jets were on their way back to meaningful January football.
Hope Prevails
The past 16 years have been full of disappointment for the Jets. But between “butt fumbles” and losing seasons galore, there have been moments that remind Jets fans why they keep coming back year after year.
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