Jets Shut Out by Saints, but They Get No. 1 Pick : Interconference: New York finishes season with a 3-13 record and an NFL-low 233 points.

The New York Jets were beaten again on Sunday, but not all was lost.

The Jets’ 12-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints, coupled with Jacksonville’s victory over Cleveland, gave the Jets the No. 1 draft pick.

While the Saints (7-9) were uncertain whether Coach Jim Mora would return next season, the Jets (3-13) were certain of two things: They finished with the worst record in their history, and Coach Rich Kotite will return for a second season.

“I can’t remember a season with so much adversity,” Kotite said. “But that’s not to make any excuses. I certainly didn’t do the job. I’m certainly embarrassed about the results this season.”

The Jets, shut out for the first time this season, ended their miserable season with an NFL-low 233 points.

Saint quarterback Jim Everett, who completed 20-of-38 passes for 199 yards, threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Walls with 8:17 left to put the Saints safely ahead at 12-0. A two-point conversion pass failed.

Doug Brien kicked a 32-yard field goal in the first quarter and had a 23-yarder in the third.

“You don’t get many shutouts in this business,” said Mora, whose Saints won seven of their last 11 games after an 0-5 start. “I don’t care who you play.”

The Jets, with the league’s worst offense, blew two scoring chances as they managed only 206 yards.

One came late in the first half when Bubby Brister, subbing for an ineffective and flu-stricken Boomer Esiason, was intercepted by Jimmy Spencer at the New Orleans eight. The other came with 4:25 left in the game when the Jets failed to make a first down on fourth and four from the New Orleans eight.

Everett finished the season with a club-record 3,970 yards passing.

Mario Bates had 23 carries for 40 yards and finished with 951 yards.

Esiason, in what may have been his final game for the Jets, was eight for 17 for 65 yards and two interceptions.

“The way I feel physically, I might say something I regret,” said Esiason, who added he was surprised Kotite waited so long to replace him. “I’ll see what kind of moves they make in the offseason and how I fit in.”

Kotite, meanwhile, has a lot of work to do with his offense.

“We have developed a defense here for now and for the future,” Kotite said about his sixth-ranked defense. “What we need to do is get the type of mentality we have on defense and develop it for our offense and special teams.”

The second half produced only two scores and little action, but the first half was even worse. The Jets had five dropped passes, three interceptions, two fumbles, a blocked punt and an injured punter in Brian Hansen. The Saints, meanwhile, had a punt blocked and Brien missed two field-goals attempts, one from 34 yards.