2002 New York Jets season explained

Team:New York Jets
Year:2002
Record:9–7
Division Place:1st AFC East
Coach:Herman Edwards
Owner:Woody & Christopher Johnson
Stadium:The Meadowlands
Playoffs:Won Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Colts) 41–0
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Raiders) 10–30
Pro Bowlers:C Kevin Mawae
DE John Abraham
Ap All-Pros:C Kevin Mawae (2nd team)
Uniform:Jets uniforms12.png
Shortnavlink:Jets seasons

The 2002 season was the New York Jets' 33rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 43rd season overall and their second under head coach Herman Edwards. The team tried to improve upon their 10–6 record from 2001 but failed to do so after a 2–5 start. However, the Jets recovered and finished 9–7, winning their second AFC East division title.

After a 24–21 week 8 loss to the Cleveland Browns at the Meadowlands dropped the Jets' season record to 2–5, head coach Herman Edwards gave his famous "You play to win the game" response to a question in his press conference the following Tuesday. Edwards' vigorous defense of his team's refusal to quit, along with the midseason debut of quarterback Chad Pennington, helped spark the Jets' turnaround.

After posting a stunning rout of the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 41–0 at the Meadowlands in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, they lost for the second year in a row to the eventual AFC champion Oakland Raiders, 30–10 in the Divisional round.

As of the 2023 season, this is the Jets' most recent AFC East division title and is also the last time they have hosted a home playoff game.

Offseason

Additions Subtractions
P Matt Turk (Dolphins) P Tom Tupa (Buccaneers)
CB Aaron Beasley (Jaguars) G Kerry Jenkins (Buccaneers)
G Dave Szott (Redskins) DT Shane Burton (Panthers)
DT Josh Evans (Titans) DE Rick Lyle (Patriots)
CB Donnie Abraham (Buccaneers) LB James Farrior (Steelers)
LB Sam Cowart (Bills) WR Craig Yeast (CFL)
DT Larry Webster (Ravens) G David Loverne (Redskins)
FS Sam Garnes (Giants) S Victor Green (Patriots)
DE Steve White (Buccaneers) DE Eric Ogbogu (Bengals)
S Chris Hayes (Patriots)
DT Steve Martin (Patriots)
WR Matthew Hatchette (Raiders)

2002 Expansion Draft

See main article: article and 2002 NFL expansion draft.

New York Jets selected during the Expansion Draft
RoundOverallNamePositionExpansion team
2Ryan YoungTackleHouston Texans
3Aaron GlennCornerbackHouston Texans
3Marcus ColemanCornerbackHouston Texans

Undrafted free agents

2002 Undrafted Free Agents of note!Player!Position!College
Kroy BaileyWide receiverNorth Carolina
Scott BradleyLinebackerBoston College
Jay BrooksCornerbackTexas A&M
Jaime BurrowLinebackerNebraska
Ataveus CashWide receiverHoward
Joe CooperLinebackerOhio State
Andrew DavisonCornerbackKansas
Little John FlowersRunning backMichigan State
Marcus FloydCornerbackIndiana
Jerimiah JanssenLinebackerSt. Norbert
Matt KnutsonTackleNorth Dakota
Chad KuhnsFullbackWisconsin
Faaesea MailoGuardUSC
Tavon MasonWide receiverVirginia
Kyle McCannQuarterbackIowa
Brandon MooreGuardIllinois
Idris PriceLinebackerNew Haven
Johnathan ReeseRunning backColumbia
Doug ShanahanSafetyHofstra
Chris SmithTackleUC Davis

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1at Pittsburgh SteelersW 16–61–0Heinz FieldRecap
2at Baltimore RavensW 34–162–0Ravens StadiumRecap
3New York GiantsW 28–73–0Giants StadiumRecap
4Philadelphia EaglesW 23–164–0Giants StadiumRecap

Regular season

Schedule

Under the NFL's newly established schedule rotation, during the 2002 regular season the Jets played against all of the teams from the AFC West, as well as the Cleveland Browns from the AFC North and the Jacksonville Jaguars from the AFC South, who finished in the same positions as the Jets in their respective divisions in 2001. Their non-conference opponents were from the NFC North.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 8at Buffalo BillsW 37–31 1–0Ralph Wilson StadiumRecap
2September 15New England PatriotsL 7–44 1–1Giants StadiumRecap
3September 22at Miami DolphinsL 3–301–2Pro Player StadiumRecap
4September 29at Jacksonville JaguarsL 3–281–3Alltel StadiumRecap
5October 6Kansas City ChiefsL 25–291–4Giants StadiumRecap
6Bye
7October 20Minnesota VikingsW 20–72–4Giants StadiumRecap
8October 27Cleveland BrownsL 21–242–5Giants StadiumRecap
9November 3at San Diego ChargersW 44–133–5Qualcomm StadiumRecap
10November 10Miami DolphinsW 13–104–5Giants StadiumRecap
11November 17at Detroit LionsW 31–145–5Ford FieldRecap
12November 24Buffalo BillsW 31–136–5Giants StadiumRecap
13at Oakland RaidersL 20–266–6Network Associates ColiseumRecap
14December 8Denver BroncosW 19–137–6Giants StadiumRecap
15December 15at Chicago BearsL 13–207–7Memorial StadiumRecap
16December 22at New England PatriotsW 30–178–7Gillette StadiumRecap
17December 29Green Bay PackersW 42–179–7Giants StadiumRecap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 17: vs. Green Bay Packers

Standings

Conference

Postseason

See also: 2002–03 NFL playoffs.

Schedule

RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordVenueRecap
Wild CardIndianapolis Colts (5)W 41–01–0Giants StadiumRecap
DivisionalJanuary 12, 2003at Oakland Raiders (1)L 10–301–1Network Associates ColiseumRecap

Game summaries

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Indianapolis Colts

This game turned out to be the Jets' last home playoff game at Giants Stadium, and as of 2023, it is also their last home playoff game to date.

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) Oakland Raiders

External links