The new coach led the club to its most successful season since the merger in 1998, finishing 12-4 and reaching the AFC Championship Game, where they were defeated by the Denver Broncos. The 2000s saw the team make five playoff appearances, the most of any decade. They won at least ten games four times, including a franchise record 15 victories in 2009. Overall, New York has appeared in eight postseasons, with their longest current drought being those aforementioned 2010s during which time they have made the playoffs only once. This article will focus on the more successful seasons since the merger in 1998. The 1960s and 1970s were also very good years for the franchise, but they will not be discussed here. Let's take a look at these seasons one by one: 1998 - 12-4 - First-round bye - Lost 37-21 at Pittsburgh Steelers This is the only season where the Jets have finished with a winning record. They came close to making the playoffs again in 1999 but fell short at the last minute by one game. Still, 12 wins is considered a success back then because it wasn't that common for teams to beat themselves by losing several games during the regular season. In fact, only two other teams have done so since then (2010 Jaguars and 2011 Cardinals).