New York Football Hits Rock Bottom: Giants and Jets Suffer Historically Bad Season
The New York/New Jersey area is known for its iconic attractions—Broadway, the Jersey Shore, and landmarks that draw millions of visitors every year. But let’s be real: the local football teams are not making anyone’s “must-see” list this year. In fact, the New York Giants and New York Jets are putting together a season so dreadful, it’s making history for all the wrong reasons.
How bad is it? Based on combined winning percentage, this is officially the worst season for New York City-area football since the Jets (then known as the Titans) joined the Giants in 1960. The numbers don’t lie: the Giants are 2-11, and the Jets are 3-10. That’s a combined record of 5-21, giving them a .192 winning percentage. Ouch.
Historical Context: A Legacy of Losing
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time New York football fans have had to endure a season like this. In 1976, Joe Namath’s final season with the Jets, both teams finished 3-11, resulting in a .214 combined winning percentage. Then there was 1996, when the Giants went 6-10, and the Jets hit rock bottom at 1-15, combining for a .219 winning percentage. And let’s not forget 2021, when both teams stumbled to 4-13 records, finishing with a .235 winning percentage.
But this year’s .192 mark? That’s a new low. The last time both teams posted winning records was in 2010, under coaches Tom Coughlin (Giants) and Rex Ryan (Jets). Since then, it’s been a steady decline, with this season threatening to cement itself as the worst in New York football history. The only way to avoid that dubious honor? The Giants and Jets need to scrape together at least three more wins between them. Easier said than done.
What Went Wrong?
Jets: From Super Bowl Dreams to Nightmare Season
Coming into the season, the Jets had high hopes. They landed Aaron Rodgers, a four-time MVP, and fans dared to dream of a Super Bowl run. Instead, they’re staring down a potential last-place finish. Rodgers, now 41, has shown flashes of his old arm strength, but his accuracy and improvisational magic seem to have faded. Injuries, including a surgically repaired Achilles, haven’t helped, and neither has a supporting cast plagued by penalties and dropped passes.
To make matters worse, the Jets’ coaching staff has bent over backward to accommodate Rodgers, tailoring the offense to his preferences at the expense of other areas, like the running game. The result? A team that passes on 72% of its red-zone plays—the most lopsided approach in the league. Add in the midseason firing of head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
Giants: A 100th Season to Forget
For the Giants, the season has been less about shattered expectations and more about sheer ineptitude. Coming off a 6-10 season, they weren’t expected to light the world on fire, but a 2-15 campaign—including a potential 0-9 record at home—wasn’t exactly the plan. Rookie Malik Nabers summed it up best: “That is just the New York Giants this year.”
The quarterback situation has been a revolving door of disappointment. Daniel Jones, returning from a torn ACL, struggled mightily before being benched and eventually cut. The Giants turned to Tommy DeVito for a spark, but when he got hurt, they pivoted to Drew Lock. None of it has worked, and the team’s offensive line woes have only made things worse. Since 2016, the Giants rank 30th in the NFL in pass block win rate at 52%. It’s hard to win games when your quarterback is constantly under siege.
Low Points of the Season
- Jets: The firing of Robert Saleh on Oct. 8 was a turning point—and not in a good way. The team was 2-3 and preparing for a crucial game against the Buffalo Bills when owner Woody Johnson pulled the plug. The locker room hasn’t recovered, and the Jets have since set a franchise record by losing five games in which they led in the fourth quarter.
- Giants: A plane flying over MetLife Stadium with a banner reading “Mr. Mara Enough – Plz Fix this Dumpster Fire” perfectly encapsulates the season. It’s a moment that will live in infamy, much like the infamous “15 years of losing” banner flown in 1978.
Reasons for Optimism
Jets: A Fresh Start
There’s light at the end of the tunnel for the Jets. With a new coach, a new general manager, and eight draft picks (including two in the top 40), the team has the resources to rebuild. They can also clear significant cap space by cutting underperforming players, like Davante Adams, whose release would save $30 million. The “Core Four” of Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Sauce Gardner, and Jermaine Johnson provides a solid foundation for the future.
Giants: A Top Draft Pick
The Giants are in prime position to draft a franchise quarterback, with names like Shedeur Sanders already generating buzz. They’re also projected to have $57 million in cap space, giving them the flexibility to address key needs. With a promising 2024 draft class and some cornerstone players already in place, there’s hope for a brighter future.
Final Thoughts
It’s been a season to forget for New York football fans, but as the saying goes, “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or a complete overhaul of their coaching staffs, both the Giants and Jets have opportunities to turn things around. For now, though, the 2024 season will go down as one of the most painful in the history of New York football.
Originally Written by: Jordan Raanan and Rich Cimini
