FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The low point was Oct. 24 at Gillette Stadium, where the New York Jets got pushed around and laughed at by the New England Patriots. The game was so one-sided that Patriots legend Richard Seymour, honored at halftime, defied the Bill Belichick code: He insulted the opponent. Speaking to the fans, he called the Jets their homecoming game. The crowd roared.
Final score: 54-13.
The Jets were in a dark place, suffering two more blowout losses in the ensuing weeks. They weren't just a bad football team, they were historically bad.