The New York Jets and 6-10: The Year After, a Look Back

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets coach Rex Ryan waits to speak at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

We know the task at hand for Rex Ryan at the New York Jets: to rebound from their worst season under his tenure, 6-10. That got me thinking, how have they rebounded from this record in the past?

One of John F. Kennedy’s famous quotes was, “We can’t know where we’re going, until we know where we’ve been.” I like that. So we are going to look back at seasons that the Jets finished 6-10 in the past, and see how the season after turned out.

(Note: We are only talking about seasons since the schedule went to 16 games in 1978.)

THE SIX WIN YEAR: 1987

The Jets actually finished 6-9 that season. There was a player strike after week 2, and although replacement players came in, the week 3 games were cancelled before they got the replacement rosters together. The Jets started 2-0 before the strike, but never came back together with the same camaraderie, winning 1 replacement game, and only 3 more the rest of the year.

THE YEAR AFTER: 1988

The Jets opened 3-1, but weren’t able to keep it up. The season was highlighted by a win over the Giants in the final week of the year, knocking them out of the playoffs, but the final record was 8-7-1.

THE SIX WIN YEAR: 1990

There was a lot of excitement as Bruce Coslet was brought in to replace Joe Walton at head coach. The Jets never took off, however, and although they won the last 2 games, it was another lost season, amongst many, at 6-10.

THE YEAR AFTER: 1991

The Jets rebounded a bit, as Al Toon and Rob Moore each posted 900+ yards receiving, and the Jets made their one playoff appearance, punctuated by an OT win in Miami the final week of the year to earn the playoff berth. The record? 8-8

THE SIX WIN YEAR: 1994

This was the year of Pete Carroll and the fake spike. The Jets never recovered from that fateful play and the Jets finished with a 6-10 record.

THE YEAR AFTER: 1995

Rich Kotite. All that needs to be said as the Jets go 3-13.

THE SIX WIN YEAR: 2003

The Jets had high hopes after winning a home playoff game 41-0 the previous season. However, it was not to be, as Chad Pennington hurt his wrist and missed the early part of the season, and the team never recovered on its way to a 6-10 finish.

THE YEAR AFTER: 2004

Herm Edwards leads a brilliant turnaround, and although this is the year of Chad’s first arm injury, the Jets finish 10-6, and would have gone to the AFC Championship game if not for Doug Brien’s missed field goals.

So, there has typically been an improvement coming out of a 6 win year. Will 2013 be the same? We will find out.