This game marked the debut of 2013 second-round draft pick QB Geno Smith from West Virginia.

However, Smith only stepped in as QB due to incumbent starter Mark Sanchez suffering an apparent shoulder injury.

Smith eventually rebounded by throwing his first career TD pass to Kellen Winslow Jr. to make the game close by halftime.

After playing solidly in the first three quarters of the game against a mostly out-of-sync Patriots team (Tom Brady completed less than 50 percent of his passes for the first time since 2009), Geno Smith fell apart, throwing three interceptions in the fourth quarter alone; his third INT to Aqib Talib ultimately sealed the Jets' fate, as the Jets lost to the Patriots 13–10 in a sloppy matchup in Foxborough.

Manuel, the game started off well for the Jets as Geno Smith ran in the end zone for a TD, and accounted for another on a long strike to Stephen Hill.

However, it was to be acknowledged that the Jets committed a team-record 20 penalties for 168 yards, which helped the Bills get back into the game by the 4th quarter.

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey The Jets came back home to face the winless Pittsburgh Steelers.

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey This game is well known for an infamous penalty that occurred during the overtime period.

However, Chris Jones of New England was called for a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after pushing his teammate into the offensive line.

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio The Jets were thoroughly embarrassed as Andy Dalton threw five touchdowns and Pacman Jones scored on a 60-yard interception.

Rebounding from the embarrassing loss at Cincinnati, the Jets took down the 6–1 Saints, putting up 198 rushing yards while intercepting Drew Brees twice.

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York After the win over the Saints, the Jets traveled to Buffalo to face the Bills.

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey For the second straight week, the Jets did not score a touchdown, as they managed only a field goal in a 23–3 loss to Miami.

Geno Smith returned to action as starting quarterback and threw a touchdown pass and an interception as the Jets defeated the Oakland Raiders 37–27.

With the loss, the Jets fell to 6–8, and were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for the third straight season after the Ravens defeated the Lions the following Monday night, therefore rendering them unable to play on their home turf in the Super Bowl.