It 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, and future Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson and Darrelle Revis. .
Not only did Gang Green qualify for the second consecutive postseason, but Ryan pulled off a historic playoff against the hated New England Patriots in Foxborough. If not for a heartbreaking 24-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship, the Jets would have been 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 significantly. The 32–26 loss dropped New York to 3–10, eliminating interim coach Jeff Ulbrich’s team from postseason contention and further putting Rodgers’ future with the team in doubt.
Worst of all, the Jets have failed to reach the postseason since their inspiring 2010 campaign. And that fourteen-year playoff drought ranks 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 because it’s not like we literally hear this every day,” one fan joked online after former ESPN host Trey Wingo reminded everyone of this fact.
Rodgers almost 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 press conference after the loss
Despite the disappointing season, some fans were encouraged by the loss given its implications for the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Also one match from the first choice, which is the most important right now,” one man commented on X.
Many more NHL Buffalo Sabers fans were quick to say that their favorite hockey team isn’t far behind. With a record of 11-13-3, the Sabers’ playoff drought could last 14 seasons if they don’t qualify this spring.
Interestingly enough, Buffalo has re-hired Lindy Ruff, the last coach to guide the Sabers to the postseason in 2010-11.
Ryan, meanwhile, has been open about his interest in rejoining the Jets after being let go after missing the playoffs every 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 there if I thought I could make a difference and I think I can make a big difference with that team.”
Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime and Miami beat Aaron Rodgers’ first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years for the victory
Rex Ryan and Josh Mauga of the New York Jets celebrate a 23-20 victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 7, 2010. New York would reach the playoffs that season
The Sabers face their own potential 14-year playoff drought if they can’t reach the postseason this spring. Buffalo has rehired Lindy Ruff, the last coach to guide the Sabers to the playoffs
For all their struggles this season, the Jets nearly matched the Dolphins on Sunday.
Tua Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith in overtime and Miami defeated Aaron Rodgers’ first 300-yard passing game in nearly three years for the win.
After Jason Sanders tied the score with 7 seconds left in regulation with a 42-yard field goal, Tagovailoa quickly moved the Dolphins (6-7) down the field and defeated 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 left. But Malik Washington put the Dolphins in a great position to help set up Sanders’ field goal with a 45-yard kickoff to Miami’s 46-yard line.
Tagovailoa was 33 of 47 for 331 yards and two touchdowns. 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 34-game regular-season drought without a 300-yard passing game — dating back to Dec. 12, 2021, while with Green Bay — and had a TD pass for 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 sidelines during overtime as the Jets never got the ball after taking a second straight lead in the second half.
Rodgers and Adams connected for a three-yard score in the third quarter, the pair’s 79th touchdown of the regular and postseason. They passed Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown for fourth-most among 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 touchdown and Jaylen Waddle nailed the two-point conversion to tie the score 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, which was set up by a 42-yard pickup from Garrett Wilson, who beat cornerback Jalen Ramsey with a double move to get open.
A 40-yard field goal by Carlson later extended New York’s lead to 8 after the Dolphins went scoreless in the quarter.
The matchup featured the Jets’ No. 2-ranked pass defense against Tagovailoa, the NFL’s most accurate passer, and Miami’s No. 9-ranked pass defense against four-time MVP Rodgers who has had a subpar season.
Both quarterbacks were strong and the teams played fairly evenly at first, each scoring on their first three possessions. The first kick of the game came 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, getting the Dolphins to field goal range in 45 seconds and setting up a 57-yarder by Sanders, who tied the kicker’s career best equaled.
Sanders also made punts of 39 and 24 yards, and De’Von Achane had a 2-yard rushing touchdown on Miami’s opening possession.
Rodgers moved the Jets to 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.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for Ulrbich & Co., who now hit the road against Jacksonville next week.