NEW ORLEANS — Todd Bowles has lost 21 of his past 30 games as Jets coach, his team failed to make the playoffs for the third straight season, but his players lobbied for his return after Sunday’s 31-19 loss to the Saints.

With two games left in the season, the evaluation of Bowles is an interesting one for Jets ownership. The Jets exceeded expectations this year by winning five games when people predicted them to win one or two. But the Jets have had issues finishing games and committing too many penalties, and his career record now is 20-26.

He still has the support of his players.

“I think he’s the best head coach there is, that’s what I think,” rookie safety Jamal Adams said. “He’s the Jets’ head coach. He’s my head coach. He’s the team’s head coach. There shouldn’t be a discussion of who’s going to be the head coach. It should be Todd Bowles. There should be no indecision about our coach is coaching us. He’s doing a phenomenal job. We just have to finish ball games.”

A week after one of his worst games as head coach in Denver, Bowles had his team ready to play in New Orleans and made some good defensive adjustments after early success for New Orleans. The Jets had two bone-headed 12-men-on-the-field penalties, too.

Players praised Bowles for keeping them focused this season, saying he is not to blame for their mistakes.

“That’s what the head coach does is set the tone for the team and relay the message,” running back Matt Forte said. “He’s been huge. He can’t go out there and play the game for us. The mistakes that have been made mentally or physically, that’s on us.”