The2013 seasonNew York Jets' 44th in theNational Football League (NFL) and their 54th overall. The Jets improved on their 6–10 regular season record from2012 and attempted to make history as the first host team to play theSuper Bowl on their own home turf, alongside theNew York Giants, with whom they share the same home field,MetLife Stadium. However, they missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season. The Jets alternated between wins and losses during the first 9 weeks, then lost 3 straight, then won 3 of their last 4 games to finish 8–8.
Defensive coordinatorMike Pettine accepted an offer to become the defensive coordinator for theBuffalo Bills on January 9, 2013. Assistant defensive backs coach Jim O'Neil accepted an offer to join Pettine.[11] Pettine was replaced by the Jets' defensive backs coachDennis Thurman[12] while O'Neil was replaced by assistant Brian Smith.[13]
Offensive quality control and assistant tight ends coachLance Taylor accepted an offer to become the assistant wide receivers coach for theCarolina Panthers.[17]
The Jets hired assistant special teams coachLouie Aguiar, tight ends coach Steve Hagen, assistant offensive line coach Ron Heller, assistant strength and conditioning coach Pierre Ngo, and assistant defensive line and linebackers coach Jeff Weeks.[13]
The Jets hired Bobby April III as a defensive quality control coach.[15]
The Jets signedundrafted free agents Zach Rogers, Ryan Spadola, K. J. Stoud, Antavious Wilson, Chris Pantale, Mike Shanahan,Dalton Freeman, Trey Gilleo, Mark Popek, Roosevelt Holliday, Jake McDonough, Troy Davis,Mike Edwards, and Rontez Miles on April 29, 2013.[34]
The Jets signedThomas Mayo, Lanier Coleman, Brett Maher, and Sean Progar-Jackson on May 12, 2013.[35]
This game marked the debut of 2013 second-round draft pick QB Geno Smith from West Virginia. However, Smith only stepped in as QB due to incumbent starter Mark Sanchez suffering an apparent shoulder injury. Smith's first game didn't start off on the right foot, as he fumbled after taking a sack from Buccaneers MLBMason Foster, and threw an interception to Buccaneers linebackerLavonte David. Smith eventually rebounded by throwing his first career TD pass to Kellen Winslow Jr. to make the game close by halftime. The second half was a defensive struggle between both teams that wound up in both teams scoring in field goals. The biggest moment of the game came when Geno Smith scrambled out of bounds and Lavonte David (the same player who intercepted Smith earlier in the game) delivered a late hit to Smith in the last seconds of the game, resulting in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty against David which pushed the Jets' position forward just enough to enable a successful 48-yard field goal from Nick Folk to secure victory.
NE – Aaron Dobson 39-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 12:54.Patriots 7–0.Drive: 6 plays, 81 yards, 2:06.
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 21-yard field goal, 9:17.Patriots 10–0.Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:00.
NYJ – Nick Folk 37-yard field goal, 4:01.Patriots 10–3.Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 5:16.
Second quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 30-yard field goal, 5:05.Patriots 13–3.Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 1:27.
Third quarter
NYJ – Bilal Powell 3-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 5:05.Patriots 13–10.Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 5:00.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
NYJ – Geno Smith – 15/35, 214 yards, 3 INT
NE – Tom Brady – 19/39, 185 yards, TD
Top rushers
NYJ – Chris Ivory – 12 rushes, 52 yards
NE – Stevan Ridley – 16 rushes, 40 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – Stephen Hill – 4 receptions, 86 yards
NE – Julian Edelman – 13 receptions, 78 yards
Geno Smith had his worst game so far in his rookie season. After playing solidly in the first three quarters of the game against a mostly out-of-sync Patriots team (Tom Brady completed less than 50 percent of his passes for the first time since 2009), Geno Smith fell apart, throwing three interceptions in the fourth quarter alone; his third INT toAqib Talib ultimately sealed the Jets' fate, as the Jets lost to the Patriots 13–10 in a sloppy matchup in Foxborough.
In a matchup of fellow rookie quarterbacks Geno Smith and E.J. Manuel, the game started off well for the Jets as Geno Smith ran in the end zone for a TD, and accounted for another on a long strike to Stephen Hill. The defense was stingy, holding off E.J. Manuel and the Bills offense throughout the game leading into the third quarter, and Nick Folk delivered two successful field goals to create a 20–6 cushion at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. However, it was to be acknowledged that the Jets committed a team-record 20 penalties for 168 yards, which helped the Bills get back into the game by the 4th quarter. Eventually, Geno Smith stepped up under pressure and delivered a game-winning, 69-yard TD to Santonio Holmes. As a result, the Jets proved that they can win in the face of adversity.
Bilal Powell had a good day, rushing 27 times for 149 rushing yards.
TEN – Delanie Walker 1-yard pass from Jake Locker (Rob Bironas kick), 11:57.Titans 7–0.Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:19.
TEN – Rob Bironas 26-yard field goal, 4:20.Titans 10–0.Drive: 11 plays, 67 yards, 6:04.
Second quarter
NYJ – Nick Folk 45-yard field goal, 14:55.Titans 10–3.Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 4:25.
TEN – Nate Washington 4-yard pass from Jake Locker (Rob Bironas kick), 6:46.Titans 17–3.Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 2:41.
NYJ – Nick Folk 47-yard field goal, 2:26.Titans 17–6.Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 4:20.
TEN – Justin Hunter 16-yard pass from Jake Locker (Rob Bironas kick), 0:02.Titans 24–6.Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 1:26.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
TEN – Karl Klug fumble recovery in the end zone (Rob Bironas kick), 11:45.Titans 31–6.
NYJ – Jeff Cumberland 34-yard pass from Geno Smith (Nick Folk kick), 8:49.Titans 31–13.Drive: 8 plays, 82 yards, 2:56.
TEN – Nate Washington 77-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick (Rob Bironas kick), 7:06.Titans 38–13.Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:43.
Top passers
NYJ – Geno Smith – 23/34, 289 yards, TD, 2 INT
TEN – Jake Locker – 18/24, 149 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
NYJ – Bilal Powell – 14 rushes, 66 yards
TEN – Jackie Battle – 11 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – Kellen Winslow – 6 receptions, 73 yards
TEN – Kendall Wright – 5 receptions, 56 yards
This was the Jets' only game outside of theEastern Time Zone during the 2013 season. Following three touchdown throws, the Jets sackedJake Locker out of the game in the third quarter as Locker was sidelined the next two weeks with a hip injury.Geno Smith was picked off twice while in the fourth quarter he was sacked at his own goal line byKarl Klug; he attempted to switch the ball behind his back and Klug fell on the fumble for a touchdown.
The Jets traveled to Atlanta to take on a depleted Falcons team onMonday Night Football. The Jets grabbed a 27-14 lead in the fourth quarter but back to back Falcons touchdowns took them to a 28–27 lead on aMatt Bryant field goal with 1:54 remaining in the game. From there the Jets marched down the field on four Geno Smith completions, a Smith run, and twoBilal Powell runs; the resulting field goal fromNick Folk as time expired won it 30-28. With the win, the Jets improved to 3–2.
The Jets came back home to face the winlessPittsburgh Steelers. The Jets struggled all afternoon as they lost 19–6, giving the Steelers their first win of the season. With the loss, the Jets fell to 3–3, and also fell to 4–19 all time against the Steelers.
This game is well known for an infamous penalty that occurred during the overtime period. The Jets were lining up for a game winning 56-yard field goal in overtime to try and give them the win.Nick Folk kicked the ball, but the kick went wide right and the Patriots appeared to be taking over with a chance to win. However, Chris Jones of New England was called for a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after pushing his teammate into the offensive line. This penalty was later named "leaping". The penalty gave the Jets a first down, giving them three more downs to push the field goal attempt closer. This time, Folk drilled the kick from 42 yards, and the Jets came away with a win that improved them to 4–3.
The Jets were thoroughly embarrassed asAndy Dalton threw five touchdowns andPacman Jones scored on a 60-yard interception. With the loss, the Jets fell to 4–4. They were also given their worst defeat since losing 45–3 to thePatriots in2010.
NYJ – Nick Folk 39-yard field goal, 5:41.Jets 3–0.Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 1:53.
NO – Jimmy Graham 51-yard pass from Drew Brees (Garrett Hartley kick), 2:45.Saints 7–3.Drive: 6 plays, 81 yards, 2:56.
Second quarter
NYJ – Nick Folk 21-yard field goal, 10:04.Saints 7–6.Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 4:56.
NO – Jimmy Graham 10-yard pass from Drew Brees (Garrett Hartley kick), 7:51.Saints 14–6.Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:13.
NYJ – Chris Ivory 3-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 2:39.Saints 14–13.Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 5:12.
NYJ – Geno Smith 3-yard run (Nick Folk kick), 0:37.Jets 20–14.Drive: 5 plays, 39 yards, 1:35.
Third quarter
NYJ – Nick Folk 47-yard field goal, 11:57.Jets 23–14.Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 3:03.
NO – Garrett Hartley 55-yard field goal, 1:46.Jets 23–17.Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 5:00.
Fourth quarter
NYJ – Nick Folk 45-yard field goal, 11:56.Jets 26–17.Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 4:50.
NO – Garrett Hartley 43-yard field goal, 3:06.Jets 26–20.Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 3:06.
Top passers
NO – Drew Brees – 30/51, 382 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
NYJ – Geno Smith – 8/19, 115 yards
Top rushers
NO – Pierre Thomas – 6 rushes, 24 yards
NYJ – Chris Ivory – 18 rushes, 139 yards, TD
Top receivers
NO – Jimmy Graham – 9 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
NYJ – Greg Salas – 2 receptions, 57 yards
Rebounding from the embarrassing loss at Cincinnati, the Jets took down the 6–1 Saints, putting up 198 rushing yards while interceptingDrew Brees twice.Geno Smith completed just eight passes for 115 yards but rushed for 18 yards and a score.
After the win over the Saints, the Jets traveled to Buffalo to face the Bills. The Jets never led during the game, as the Bills commanded the game from start to finish, winning 37–14.Geno Smith was intercepted three times and ended up posting an overall passer rating of 10.1. With the loss, the Jets fell to 5–5.
For the second time this season and second time against an AFC North opponent, the Jets failed to score a touchdown, as they lost 19–3 to the Baltimore Ravens. Geno Smith was intercepted twice and for the second straight week and third time in the last four, failed to throw a touchdown pass. With the loss, the Jets fell to 5–6.
For the second straight week, the Jets did not score a touchdown, as they managed only a field goal in a 23–3 loss to Miami. Geno Smith did not start in this game, as he was benched and replaced byMatt Simms. Simms did not do much of a better job, as he, like Smith, failed to throw a touchdown pass. Smith came in later on, but only went 4 for 10 throwing the ball and ended with a passer rating of 8.3. With the loss, the Jets fell to 5–7.
For the first time in two weeks, New York scored a touchdown. Geno Smith returned to action as starting quarterback and threw a touchdown pass and an interception as the Jets defeated the Oakland Raiders 37–27. With the win, the Jets improved to 6–7 and kept their slim playoff hopes alive.
NYJ – Jeff Cumberland 8-yard pass from Geno Smith (Nick Folk kick), 3:50.Panthers 30–20.Drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 4:27.
Top passers
NYJ – Geno Smith – 15/28, 167 yards, TD, INT
CAR – Cam Newton – 16/24, 273 yards, TD
Top rushers
NYJ – Chris Ivory – 11 rushes, 66 yards
CAR – Deangelo Williams – 15 rushes, 81 yards
Top receivers
NYJ – Bilal Powell – 4 receptions, 19 yards
CAR – Greg Olsen – 5 receptions, 88 yards
With the loss, the Jets fell to 6–8, and were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the third straight season after the Ravens defeated the Lions the following Monday night, therefore rendering them unable to play on their home turf in the Super Bowl. The Jets were seeking their first win in Charlotte since2001.
In a game that had no impact on the AFC playoff picture, the Jets managed a 24–13 win over the Cleveland Browns. Geno Smith committed no turnovers and threw two touchdowns in the win, which improved the Jets to 7–8.
The Jets traveled to Miami to end their season. The Jets beat Miami 20–7 to end the Dolphins playoff hopes. Geno Smith did not throw a touchdown, but he also did not turn it over. The Jets forced three Miami turnovers in the game. With the win, the Jets ended their season at an even 8–8. It was also the Jets’ 13th win against the Dolphins in their last 24 meetings and seventh in that span atJoe Robbie Stadium.
^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.
^Fensom, Michael (August 7, 2013)."Jets release Vidal Hazelton".The Star-Ledger.Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. RetrievedAugust 7, 2013.
