In what may have been Coach Bill Belichick's final game with the New England Patriots, the team suffered a humbling defeat against the New York Jets. With a final score of 17-3 in favor of the Jets, New York snapped a 15-game losing streak against the Patriots. The game turned out to be one for the record books, albeit in a way that Belichick would rather forget.

Offensively, the Patriots had a dismal performance, recording just 119 yards of offense. This marked the lowest offensive output during the Belichick era, surpassing their previous low of 149 yards against the Miami Dolphins in 2001. The struggling offense rotated between quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe throughout the season before settling on Zappe as the starter in late November. However, Zappe's performance against the Jets was subpar, going 12-of-30 with 88 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in the fourth quarter.

Rumors of a potential split between Belichick and the Patriots have been circulating throughout the fall. Speculation about the franchise's future is expected to be resolved following a meeting between Belichick and team owners Robert and Jonathan Kraft shortly after the game. When asked about his future, Belichick chose to focus solely on the disappointing outcome of Sunday's contest, stating that he still enjoys coaching.

The loss against the Jets also marked a significant milestone for the Patriots. It is the first time since Belichick's inaugural season in 2000 that the team has finished last in the AFC East. Previously, the Patriots had established themselves as a dominant force in the NFL, winning nine AFC championships and six Super Bowls under Belichick's leadership, with quarterback Tom Brady at the helm.

However, the relationship between Belichick and Brady deteriorated by the end of the 2019 season, leading Brady to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first season with the Bucs, Brady led the team to a Super Bowl victory. Meanwhile, the Patriots have struggled since Brady's departure, failing to win a playoff game and recording a losing record in three of the four seasons.

As the Patriots' disappointing season comes to an end, attention now turns to Belichick's future. His impact on the franchise cannot be understated, but the recent lack of success may lead to a "mutual parting" between Belichick and the team. Differences between Belichick and Robert Kraft, the team's owner, are known, and the decline in performance may prompt the organization to seek a more modern approach to its structure.

The Patriots' offense has been a major concern throughout the season, finishing with the fewest points scored among all teams. Regardless of who takes the helm as coach, the team will require significant changes on the offensive side, including a new quarterback, multiple wide receivers, and an improved offensive line.

While the game against the Jets held little significance in the grand scheme of things, it marked an important milestone for the New York team. Finally breaking their losing streak against the Patriots, the Jets accomplished a feat they had been unable to achieve for 15 consecutive games. Running back Breece Hall played a pivotal role in the victory, setting a career-high with 37 carries for 178 yards. Hall's performance also helped him surpass 1,500 total yards for the season, becoming the first Jets running back to achieve this since 2008. The young player's resilience after ACL surgery bodes well for the future of the Jets' offense, which is expected to center around his talents.

As the off-season approaches, both the Patriots and the Jets face uncertainties and questions regarding their respective futures. While the Jets have found a promising cornerstone in Breece Hall, the Patriots must grapple with the possibility of bidding farewell to their legendary coach and rebuilding a struggling offense.