The Jets had already played Thursday in Week 17, a 37-20 loss to the Cleveland Browns. They at least found a sliver of positive news Sunday after the New England Patriots lost to the Buffalo Bills 27-21.
New England’s loss dropped them to 4-12. With the Jets at 6-10 and only one game left to play, in New England, the Jets are assured of finishing ahead of the Patriots and will finish in third place in the AFC East. This ends a three-year streak of finishing in last place. The Jets finished in third place in 2019.
The result also locked in a regular season matchup for the Jets in 2024, a road date with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will finish ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Jets will also face the same-place finisher in the AFC West (the loser of Broncos-Raiders Sunday) and the NFC North (any of the Packers, Vikings or Bears).