The Importance Of Success Post Payton/Brees

There was brief moment when it looked like they got over that hump

Didn't Mark Sanchez take them to 2 straight AFC championship games? one of those seasons beating the Patriots in New England in the playoffs?
Correct, but those teams weren't really that good. Not sustainable given talent on hand. Jets also made an AFC championship game under Joe Walton (lost to Miami in "82) and Bill Parcells (lost to Denver in '99).