FOXBORO — If Sunday truly marked Bill Belichick’s last game as head coach of the Patriots, then his 24-year tenure ended with snow swirling inside Gillette Stadium in front of a half-full crowd in a barely watchable 17-3 loss to the Jets.

It wasn’t a fitting way for Belichick to go out, losing to the Jets for the first time since 2015, but then again, there’s a reason why the head coach’s future is in question at all. Belichick has never coached on a team with more than 12 losses. The 2023 Patriots’ season will come to a merciful end with a 4-13 record, featuring an offense that can’t get out of its own way and a defense that would have to put its own points on the board to put victory within reach.

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The Patriots had been anticipating a snowstorm all week, but hours before kickoff, it looked like they might avoid it. Precipitation wasn’t sticking to the Gillette Stadium turf as a wintry mix fell from the sky. But just around kickoff, the wintry mix turned to snow, and it started blanketing the field. It took leaf blowers to unsurface markings on the field in between the action.

The point total, which dropped to 29.5 on Saturday night, was historically low in Sunday’s game, and the Jets and Patriots didn’t disappoint bettors smart enough to take the under. All game, the two teams traded punts and field goals.

After four straight punts to begin the game, the Jets got the scoring started late in the first quarter when kicker Greg Zuerlein made a 21-yard field goal attempt after quarterback Trevor Siemian helped put together a 10-play, 35-yard drive. Patriots punter Bryce Baringer’s 37-yard shank gave the Jets advantageous field position at New England’s 38-yard line.

The Patriots tied the game 3-3 early in the second quarter when rookie kicker Chad Ryland, who has struggled this season, knocked through a 30-yard field goal after a 10-play, 50-yard drive. A 33-yard pass from quarterback Bailey Zappe — who was backed up by Nathan Rourke, not Mac Jones in this game — to wide receiver Jalen Reagor accounted for most of that yardage.

The Jets responded with an eight-play, 56-yard scoring drive on their next possession, culminating with a 40-yard field goal by Zuerlein. After a Patriots three-and-out, the Jets missed a field goal on their next drive. The Patriots ended the half competitively, despite having just 21 seconds left on the clock. Zappe threw three deep incompletions before time ran out.

The second half started with seven straight punts. The Patriots finally ended the cycle with a turnover on downs. Facing fourth-and-1 from their own 45-yard line, Zappe threw a play-action pass deep down the right sideline to tight end Pharaoh Brown that was broken up by Jets safety Ashtyn Davis.

That gave the Jets the ball near midfield. An eight-play, 30-yard drive that took up 4:09 on the clock ended with the Jets extending their lead to 9-3 with a 32-yard field goal from Zuerlein. The Patriots went backward on their next drive, losing 7 yards on three plays before punting.

The Jets turned the ball over on downs before craziness ensued on the Patriots’ next possession.

Zappe threw an interception to Jets safety Ashtyn Davis, who was stripped by tight end Mike Gesicki on the return. The fumble was recovered by left tackle Vederian Lowe, who was injured on the play. Two plays later, Zappe was intercepted by Jets safety Tony Adams.

Two plays into the Jets’ ensuing drive, running back Breece Hall scored on a 50-yard run, followed by a successful two-point attempt.

BEST

CB Alex Austin: The rookie out of Oregon State, who was originally drafted by the Bills in the seventh round, has been a nice find. He broke up a deep pass intended for Jets wide receiver Jason Brownlee midway through the second quarter.

RB Ezekiel Elliott: It was pretty easy to predict that the Patriots were going to go with a run-heavy approach in this game. Still, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry for 55 yards on 13 carries without a rushing attempt over 9 yards.

LB Mack Wilson: Wilson’s sack streak ended last week at three straight games. He picked back up this week with a sack split with linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. The fifth-year pro is playing a new position this year as an edge defender.

WORST

QB Bailey Zappe: Granted, conditions were rough. But Zappe finished just 12-of-30 for 80 yards with two interceptions.

P Bryce Baringer: The rookie had three 37-yard punts and a touchback in what was a disappointing season finale.

Offensive line: The Patriots’ blockers let up seven sacks for 57 yards to the Jets’ pass rush.