The New York Jets finally get to close the book on one of the darkest and most humiliating chapters in franchise history. The LOL Jets lost to the New England Patriots in the final week of the season to finish 2-14. The Johnson family, who owns the Jets, finally fired head coach Adam Gase within hours of the end of the game.
The brutal winter of discontent in Jets nation has finally come to an end. The inept Gase avoided a 0-16 season, but he set the franchise back at least a half-decade after an atrocious 9-23 record in two seasons. Gase was hired as part of the solution and mentor Sam Darnold, but instead, Darnold is a broken man and the Jets lost 23 games with the majority of them blowout losses.
The Jets should have finished 1-15 in 2020, but they defeated a COVID-depleted Cleveland Browns in Week 16 that were forced to play without wide receivers.
Gase’s termination is the only saving grace from this awful season aside from a hysterical Saturday Night Live sketch making fun of the LOL Jets. On the plus side, the Jets lost a chance at drafting Trevor Lawrence, but they still secured the #2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
At least the Jets have a bright future with a new coach and a top draft pick, right? The Cleveland Browns went from a 0-16 team to a 10-6 squad with a playoff berth in only three seasons. Teams can turn around their fortunes in a short time, but the Jets wasted two long years during Gase’s horrendous tenure.
Fade the Jets: Profit
Jets fans will tell you they often bet against Gang Green as an emotional hedge. When the Jets lose, at least you cashed a betting ticket by betting against them. Fading the Jets has been a popular wager for the last decade because the team never fails to disappoint you.
Before the season, we decided to bet against the Jets until they fired Gase and removed him as head coach. We launched operation “Fade the LOL Jets”, which we’re happy to report that we grinded out a small profit with this simple betting system. We finished the season 10-6 because the Jets went 6-10 against the spread.
| FADE THE LOL JETS |
- Week 17: New England 28, NY Jets 14
- Point Spread: NE -3
- Jets Record: 1-15 SU, 6-10 ATS
- Fade the Jets Record: 10-6
The LOL Jets started the season 0-6 ATS, which provided bettors with a reliable betting option during the first month of the season. The Jets started the season 1-7 ATS with one backdoor cover against the Buffalo Bills in late October.
In the second half of the season, the Jets beat the spread 5-3. They finally ended a 13-game losing streak with an upset over the LA Rams in Week 15.
The LOL Jets provided market faders with one more victory before the season ended. The New England Patriots were 3-point favorites in the final game of the season. The Pats almost lost to the Jets in November before they pulled away in overtime 30-27. The rematch was not close and Cam Newton picked apart the Jets en route to a 28-14 victory.
Gase Sleeps with Fishes
The Jets hired Gase as part of the team’s rebuilding process after they spent capital to move up in the draft to acquire USC quarterback Sam Darnold. Gase, a so-called quarterback whisperer, had not seen any success since he worked with Peyton Manning. Jets fans have no idea if Sam Darnold is actually good or not because Gase ruined him.
Gase had been regarded as an offensive genius, yet the Jets finished last in the NFL in total offense the last two seasons.
This season Jets were ranked #32, or dead last, in scoring with a 15.2 ppg average. The 15 points per game seems ridiculous in a era of voluminous scoring. Five teams averaged 30-plus points this season, or twice as many points as the Jets scored each week this season.
Word on the street is that Alabama head coach Nick Saban will interview Gase for an open offensive coordinator position. Bama’s OC, Steve Sarkisian, recently filled the head coaching vacancy at Texas. Another (troll) rumor suggested that Bill Belichick would hire Gase as their quarterbacks coach even though the Jets fired him.
Gase is better suited for a coordinator position in the collegiate ranks because he lacked the people skills and organizational mind to lead a pro football team.
The Future: Dawn of a New Day
Who wants to coach the Jets? Will Eric Bieniemy rather live in sunny SoCal and coach the LA Chargers and Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert? Or will he rather coach Darnold who’ll be recovering from Gase PTSD? Or will Bieniemy take the job if the Jets draft Justin Fields or Zack Wilson?
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is also a hot commodity. The situation could be optimal for the Jets if they decide to stick with Darnold. Tannehill flourished in Tennessee under Art Smith after his post-Gase years. Perhaps he can work his Gase-healing magic with Darnold?
The Buffalo Bills also have a top head coach candidate with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. But Daboll will most likely stick with Josh Allen, at least until they can win a Super Bowl together. Why leave a good thing with the Bills Mafia?
With the second pick in the upcoming draft, general manager Joe Douglas could fire away, or trade down to acquire multiple picks. The Jets need a lot of help in addition to a new quarterback, especially on the O-Line.
Sam Darnold ended the season on an uptick so the Jets could get a higher draft pick if they trade him. The Jets would love a second rounder or third-round pick in exchange for Darnold. At the lowest point of the season, Darnold’s value was assessed as a fifth-round pick.
Read more ramblings from a jaded fan of the New York Jets.