FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- When it comes to recent AFC East history, the New York Jets are like the orange ghost named Clyde in the "Pac-Man" arcade game -- the most erratic of the four ghosts, the one always lagging in the pursuit of Pac-Man.
The Jets have finished last seven times in the last 10 seasons, in large part because they've been dominated within their own division. Their 13-47 divisional record over that span, including a staggering 4-26 on the road, is easily the worst in the NFL and 19 games behind the next-closest AFC East opponent, the Miami Dolphins (32-28).
It's no wonder their division-title drought is older than rookie sensation David Bailey. They last won the AFC East in 2002, the year before Bailey was born.
Every year sparks new hope, this notion that the Jets -- finally free of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick vice grip -- will rise up and put up a legitimate fight against the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Dolphins (though Miami looks down and out this year).