| 1968 New York Jets season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Leon Hess |
| General manager | Weeb Ewbank |
| Head coach | Weeb Ewbank |
| Home stadium | Shea Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 11–3 |
| Division place | 1stAFL East |
| Playoffs | WonAFL Championship (vs.Raiders) 27–23 WonSuper Bowl III (vs.Colts) 16–7 |
| Pro Bowlers | MLBAl Atkinson RDEVerlon Biggs HBEmerson Boozer RDTJohn Elliott RGDave Herman LTWinston Hill FLDon Maynard QBJoe Namath LDEGerry Philbin SEGeorge Sauer KJim Turner |
The1968New York Jets season was the ninth season for the team in theAmerican Football League (AFL). The team had the most successful season infranchise history. Trying to improve upon their 8–5–1 record of1967, they won the AFL Eastern Division with an 11–3 record. They defeated thedefending championOakland Raiders, 27–23 in theAFL championship game and earned the right to play inSuper Bowl III against theNFL championBaltimore Colts. In a stunning upset, marked by fourth-year quarterbackJoe Namath's famous "guarantee" of victory, the Jets defeated the heavily favored Colts 16–7. The Jets have yet to return to the Super Bowl, making them and theNew Orleans Saints the only teams to have won their only championship game, also holding the longest appearance drought in NFL history, having not appeared in the 56 complete seasons since this game; they did not appear in a semi-final playoff round again until 1983.
In 2007,NFL Network airedAmerica's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, the 1968New York Jets, with team commentary fromJoe Namath,Gerry Philbin andDon Maynard, and was narrated byAlec Baldwin. The Jets ranked No. 24 on the 100 greatest teams of all time presented by the NFL on its 100th anniversary. Of those 24, only three came before theAFL-NFL Merger. The Jets were the highest ranked team that played in the AFL, and also the highest pre-merger team not coached byVince Lombardi.[1][2]
The last remaining active member of the 1968 New York Jets was guardRandy Rasmussen, who retired after the1981 NFL season.
On May 21, Sonny Werblin sold his shares in the Jets to his partnersDonald C. Lillis,Leon Hess, Townsend Martin, andPhilip H. Iselin. Lillis became the president on May 21, but died on July 23, and Isselin was appointed president on August 6. Leon Hess the founder of Hess gas station made the famous Hess truck after the New York Jets color scheme[3]
| 1968 New York Jets draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | Lee White | RB | Weber St | |
| 2 | 44 | Steve Thompson | DE | Washington | |
| 3 | 72 | Sam Walton | OT | East Texas St | |
| 4 | 101 | Gary Magner | DT | USC | |
| 5 | 128 | Lee Jacobsen | LB | Kearney St | |
| 7 | 182 | Oscar Lubke | OT | Ball St | |
| 8 | 200 | Bob Taylor | RB | Maryland Eastern Shore | Pick from MIA |
| 8 | 210 | Jim Richards | DB | Virginia Tech | |
| 8 | 214 | Karl Henke | DT | Tulsa | Pick from HOU |
| 9 | 236 | Gary Houser | TE | Oregon St | |
| 10 | 264 | Mike D'Amato | DB | Hofstra | |
| 11 | 290 | Henry Owens | WR | Weber St | |
| 12 | 318 | Ray Hayes | OT | Toledo | |
| 13 | 344 | Tom Myslinski | OG | Maryland | |
| 14 | 372 | Harvey Naim | RB | Southern | |
| 15 | 398 | Ronnie Ehrig | DB | Texas | |
| 16 | 426 | Tom Bilotta | OG | Adams St (CO) | |
| 17 | 452 | Myles Strasser | RB | Wisconsin−Oshkosh | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least onePro Bowl during career | |||||
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
|
| Quarterbacks(QB) Running backs(RB) Wide receivers(WR) Tight ends(TE) | Offensive linemen(OL) | Linebackers(LB) Defensive backs(DB)
Special teams(ST)
| Reserve lists
|
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 12 | atHouston Oilers | L 14–28 | 0–1 | Astrodome | 40,354 | Recap |
| 2 | August 17 | Boston Patriots | W 25–6 | 1–1 | City Stadium | 14,000 | Recap |
| 3 | August 23 | Atlanta Falcons | W 27–12 | 2–1 | Legion Field | 27,406 | Recap |
| 4 | August 30 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 9–13 | 2–2 | 24,358 | Recap | |
| 5 | September 7 | Detroit Lions | W 9–6 | 3–2 | 84,918 | Recap |
| Home/Road | Eastern Division | Western Division | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOS | BUF | HOU | MIA | NY | CIN | DEN | KC | OAK | SD | ||
| Eastern | Boston Patriots | 23–6 | 0–16 | 10–34 | 31–47* | 33–14 | 14–35 | 17–27 | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 7–16 | 7–30 | 17–21 | 37–35 | 7–18 | 6–48 | 6–21 | ||||
| Houston Oilers | 45–17 | 35–6 | 7–24 | 14–20 | 38–17 | 21–26 | 15–24 | ||||
| Miami Dolphins | 38–7 | 14–14 | 10–24 | 7–31 | 21–38 | 3–48 | 21–47 | ||||
| New York Jets | 48–14 | 25–21 | 26–7 | 35–17 | 27–14 | 13–21 | 23–20 | ||||
| Western | Cincinnati Bengals | 34–23 | 17–27 | 22–24 | 24–10 | 9–16 | 0–34 | 10–31 | |||
| Denver Broncos | 17–20 | 34–32 | 21–14 | 10–7 | 7–30 | 7–43 | 23–47 | ||||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 31–17 | 24–10 | 19–20 | 13–3 | 34–2 | 24–10 | 27–20 | ||||
| Oakland Raiders | 41–10 | 13–10 | 43–32 | 31–10 | 33–27 | 38–21 | 14–23 | ||||
| San Diego Chargers | 30–14 | 34–28 | 15–37 | 29–13 | 55–24 | 3–40 | 27–34 | ||||
(*) Played atLegion Field,Birmingham sinceBoston Red Sox refused to rentFenway Park to Patriots.
| AFL Eastern Division | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | PF | PA | STK | ||
| New York Jets | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 7–1 | 419 | 280 | W4 | |
| Houston Oilers | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 5–3 | 303 | 248 | W2 | |
| Miami Dolphins | 5 | 8 | 1 | .385 | 4–3–1 | 276 | 355 | L1 | |
| Boston Patriots | 4 | 10 | 0 | .286 | 2–6 | 229 | 406 | L2 | |
| Buffalo Bills | 1 | 12 | 1 | .077 | 1–6–1 | 199 | 367 | L8 | |
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings in the AFL.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | 7 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Chiefs | 3 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
atMunicipal Stadium,Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | 14 | 6 | 17 | 10 | 47 |
| Patriots | 3 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
atLegion Field,Birmingham, Alabama
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
This game, won by the Buffalo Bills at the old War Memorial Stadium (known as the rock pile) in Buffalo was the only win for the Bills all season. A win over the eventual Super Bowl champions.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets (2–1) | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
| Bills (1–3) | 10 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 37 |
atWar Memorial Stadium,Buffalo, New York
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers (3–1) | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| Jets (3–1) | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 23 |
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos (2–3) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Jets (3–2) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
atShea Stadium,Flushing, New York
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriots (3–4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| Jets (5–2) | 7 | 3 | 10 | 28 | 48 |
atShea Stadium,Flushing, New York
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills (1–7–1) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| Jets (6–2) | 3 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 25 |
atShea Stadium,Flushing, New York
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oilers (4–6) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Jets (7–2) | 13 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 26 |
atShea Stadium,Flushing, New York
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 1968 season also saw the Jets involved in one of the most notorious incidents in television history, an incident that would change the way television networks carried sporting events for decades to come. On November 17, 1968, just before 7:00 pmEastern time, the Jets scored late to take a 32–29 lead over theOakland Raiders with 1:05 left.NBC cut to a commercial, and then everywhere but the West Coast showed the movieHeidi, a show which NBC had promoted extensively for thesweeps period. Outraged fans bombarded NBC headquarters in New York with phone calls demanding the game be restored; so many phone calls were made that they eventually knocked out the NBC switchboard. Even though a decision was made to carry the game to conclusion, this decision could not be communicated, thus resulting in the movie starting on schedule.
Fans' ire was further fueled when they discovered that NBC's cutting away from the game denied them from seeing live a dramatic finish. On the Raiders' second play from scrimmage on the next drive,Daryle Lamonica threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Smith, giving the Raiders a 36–32 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Earl Christy of the Jets fumbled at the 10-yard line, which the Raiders'Preston Ridlehuber converted into another touchdown, ultimately giving the Raiders a 43–32 victory. Much of the country learned of this final outcome only via a bottom-of-screen crawl line shown during the movie. This incident, dubbed theHeidi Game, resulted in most television networks and sports leagues amending their television policies to ensure that games in progress would be broadcast to their conclusion, no matter what, even if it meant delaying or canceling the rest of the network's lineup, and even if the game's outcome seemed assured.[5]
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets (7–3) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 32 |
| Raiders (8–2) | 7 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 43 |
atOakland–Alameda County Coliseum,Oakland, California
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets (8–3) | 10 | 17 | 3 | 7 | 37 |
| Chargers (8–3) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 15 |
atSan Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins (4–7–1) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Jets (9–3) | 0 | 14 | 0 | 21 | 35 |
atShea Stadium,Flushing, New York
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals (3–11) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Jets (10–3) | 14 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 27 |
atShea Stadium,Flushing, New York
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets (11–3) | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Dolphins (5–8–1) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
atMiami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 29, 1968 | W 27–23 | 1–0 | 62,627 | Recap | |||
January 12, 1969 | W 16–7 | 2–0 | 75,402 | Recap |
In the franchise's first-ever postseason game, the Jets defeated the defending AFL champion Oakland Raiders 27-24 atShea Stadium to claim the AFL title and advance to Super Bowl III.Joe Namath threw three touchdown passes, including the game-winner toDon Maynard midway through the fourth quarter.
The 1968 AFL Championship Game is the only league or conference championship game the Jets have ever hosted, the only one they have won, and their only postseason win at Shea Stadium.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders (13–3) | 0 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 23 |
| Jets (12–3) | 10 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
atShea Stadium •Flushing, New York
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAK | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| NYJ | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In January 1969, the Jets would reach the pinnacle of their existence and provide the moment that would indicate the AFL's coming of age. Under Namath's guidance, the Jets rose to the top of the AFL, defeating theOakland Raiders in a thrilling AFL championship game, 27–23. The win qualified them to represent their league in a game that was being referred to for the first time as theSuper Bowl (and referred to retroactively asSuper Bowl III). They were pitted against the champions of the NFL, theBaltimore Colts. At the time, the AFL was considered to be inferior to the NFL, and most considered the Jets to be considerable underdogs and treated them as such. That would change three nights before the game while Namath was being honored by the Miami Touchdown Club as its Player of the Year. Namath took exception to a heckling Colts fan and used that moment to lament the lack of respect his team had gotten to that point. He then said "The Jets will win Sunday. I guarantee it." His audacious remark proved correct, as the Jets created one of the greatest upsets in football history by defeating the Colts 16–7. This victory showed that the AFL was capable of competing with the NFL.[8]
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets (13–3) | 0 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 16 |
| Colts (15–2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
atMiami Orange Bowl •Miami, Florida
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYJ | Passing | Joe Namath | 17/28, 206 YDS |
| Rushing | Matt Snell | 30 CAR, 121 YDS, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | George Sauer | 8 REC, 133 YDS | |
| BAL | Passing | Johnny Unitas | 11/24, 110 YDS, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Tom Matte | 11 CAR, 116 YDS | |
| Receiving | Willie Richardson | 6 REC, 58 YDS |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jets | Game Statistics | Colts |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | First downs | 18 |
| 43–142 | Rushes–yards | 23–143 |
| 206 | Passing yards | 181 |
| 17–29–0 | Passes | 17–41–4 |
| 2–11 | Sacked–yards | 0–0 |
| 195 | Net passing yards | 181 |
| 337 | Total yards | 324 |
| 34 | Return yards | 139 |
| 4–38.8 | Punts | 3–44.3 |
| 1–1 | Fumbles–lost | 1–1 |
| 5–28 | Penalties–yards | 3–23 |
| 36:10 | Time of possession | 23:50 |
Individual stats
| Game officials | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head linesman | Line judge | Back judge | Field judge |
1 | |||||||
2 | |||||||
3 | |||||||
4 | |||||||
5 | |||||||
| Game officials | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head linesman | Line judge | Back judge | Field judge |
1 | |||||||
2 | |||||||
3 | |||||||
4 | |||||||
5 | |||||||
6 | (12)Ben Dreith | (22) Paul Trepinski | (33)Elvin Hutchinson | (65)Aaron Wade | (40) Bob Whetstone | (51) Frank Rustich | |
7 | |||||||
8 | |||||||
9 | |||||||
10 | |||||||
11 | |||||||
12 | |||||||
13 | |||||||
14 | |||||||
15 | |||||||
| Game officials | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head linesman | Line judge | Back judge | Field judge | Alternate |
(18) Walt Fitzgerald | (23)George Young | (36) Tony Veteri | (30) Al Sabato | (70)Hugh Gamber | (58) Bob Baur | (12)Ben Dreith | ||
(7)Tom Bell (NFL) | (25) Walt Parker (AFL) | (30) George Murphy (NFL) | (72)Cal Lepore (AFL) | (42)Jack Reader (AFL) | (54)Joe Gonzales (NFL) | |||
| Radio | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagship Station | Play-by-play | Color Commentator | Studio Host |
WABC–AM 770 | |||
| Pre season Local TV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagship Station | Play-by-play | Color Commentator | |
WOR-TV 9 | |||
Passing
| Passing | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | GS | QBrec | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | TD% | Int | Int% | Lng | Y/A | AY/A | Y/C | Y/G | Rate |
| Joe Namath | 14 | 14 | 11–3–0 | 187 | 380 | 49.2 | 3147 | 15 | 3.9 | 17 | 4.5 | 87 | 8.3 | 7.1 | 16.8 | 224.8 | 72.1 |
| Babe Parilli | 14 | 0 | 29 | 55 | 52.7 | 401 | 5 | 9.1 | 2 | 3.6 | 40 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 13.8 | 28.6 | 91.6 | |
| Matt Snell | 14 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 100.0 | 26 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 26 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 1.9 | 118.7 | |
| NYJ Totals | 14 | 11–3–0 | 217 | 436 | 49.8 | 3574 | 20 | 4.6 | 19 | 4.4 | 87 | 8.2 | 7.2 | 16.5 | 255.3 | 74.8 | |
| Opp Totals | 14 | 187 | 403 | 46.4 | 2567 | 17 | 4.2 | 28 | 6.9 | 6.4 | 4.09 | 13.7 | 183.4 | 77.9 | |||
Rushing
| Rushing | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | GS | Att | Yds | TD | Lng | Y/A | Y/G | A/G |
| Matt Snell | 14 | 14 | 179 | 743 | 6 | 60 | 4.2 | 53.4 | 12.8 |
| Emerson Boozer | 12 | 12 | 143 | 441 | 5 | 33 | 3.1 | 36.8 | 11.9 |
| Bill Mathis | 14 | 2 | 74 | 208 | 5 | 16 | 2.8 | 14.9 | 5.3 |
| Billy Joe | 10 | 0 | 42 | 186 | 3 | 32 | 4.4 | 18.6 | 4.2 |
| George Sauer | 14 | 14 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 15 | 10.5 | 1.5 | 0.1 |
| Mark Smolinski | 14 | 0 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Joe Namath | 14 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Babe Parilli | 14 | 0 | 7 | −2 | 1 | 10 | −0.3 | −0.1 | 0.5 |
| Curley Johnson | 14 | 1 | 2 | −6 | 0 | 0 | −3.0 | −0.4 | 0.1 |
| Bill Rademacher | 14 | 0 | 1 | −13 | 0 | −13 | −13.0 | −0.9 | 0.1 |
| NYJ Totals | 14 | 467 | 1608 | 22 | 60 | 3.4 | 114.9 | 33.4 | |
| Opp Totals | 14 | 368 | 1195 | 9 | 3.2 | 85.4 | 26.3 | ||
Receiving
| Receiving | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | GS | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Lng | R/G | Y/G |
| George Sauer | 14 | 14 | 66 | 1141 | 17.3 | 3 | 43 | 4.7 | 81.5 |
| Don Maynard | 13 | 13 | 57 | 1297 | 22.8 | 10 | 87 | 4.4 | 99.8 |
| Pete Lammons | 13 | 13 | 32 | 400 | 12.5 | 3 | 27 | 2.5 | 30.8 |
| Matt Snell | 14 | 14 | 16 | 105 | 6.6 | 1 | 39 | 1.1 | 7.5 |
| Emerson Boozer | 12 | 12 | 12 | 101 | 8.4 | 0 | 23 | 1.0 | 8.4 |
| Bake Turner | 13 | 1 | 10 | 241 | 24.1 | 2 | 71 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| Bill Mathis | 14 | 2 | 9 | 149 | 16.6 | 1 | 31 | 0.6 | 10.6 |
| Mark Smolinski | 14 | 0 | 6 | 40 | 6.7 | 0 | 19 | 0.4 | 2.9 |
| Curley Johnson | 14 | 1 | 5 | 78 | 15.6 | 0 | 18 | 0.4 | 5.6 |
| Billy Joe | 10 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 11 | 0.2 | 1.1 |
| Bill Rademacher | 14 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 6 | 0.1 | 0.8 |
| NYJ Totals | 14 | 217 | 3574 | 16.5 | 20 | 87 | 15.5 | 255.3 | |
| Opp Totals | 14 | 187 | 2168 | 11.6 | 17 | 13.4 | 154.9 | ||
Kicking
| Kicking | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | GS | 0–19 | 20–29 | 30–39 | 40–49 | 50+ | FGM | FGA | FG% | XPM | XPA | XP% |
| Jim Turner | 14 | 0 | 8–8 | 15–18 | 6–10 | 5–9 | 0–1 | 34 | 46 | 73.9% | 43 | 43 | 100.0% |
| NYJ Totals | 14 | 8–8 | 15–18 | 6–10 | 5–9 | 0–1 | 34 | 46 | 73.9% | 43 | 43 | 100.0% | |
| Opp Totals | 14 | 9 | 17 | 73.9% | 33 | 34 | 97.1% | ||||||
Punting
| Punting | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | GS | Pnt | Yds | Lng | Blck | Y/P |
| Curley Johnson | 14 | 1 | 68 | 2977 | 65 | 1 | 43.8 |
| NYJ Totals | 14 | 68 | 2977 | 65 | 1 | 43.8 | |
| Opp Totals | 14 | 98 | 3763 | 38.4 | |||
Kick Return
| Kick Return | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | GS | Rt | Yds | TD | Lng | Y/RT |
| Earl Christy | 14 | 0 | 25 | 599 | 0 | 87 | 24.0 |
| Bake Turner | 13 | 1 | 14 | 319 | 0 | 36 | 22.8 |
| Matt Snell | 14 | 14 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 15 | 9.3 |
| Mike D'Amato | 13 | 0 | 1 | 32 | 0 | 32 | 32.0 |
| Mark Smolinski | 14 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 17.0 |
| John Neidert | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Bill Rademacher | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| NYJ Totals | 14 | 46 | 995 | 0 | 87 | 21.6 | |
| Opp Totals | 14 | 82 | 1664 | 0 | 20.3 | ||
Punt Return
| Punt Return | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | GS | Ret | Yds | TD | Lng | Y/R |
| Earl Christy | 14 | 0 | 13 | 116 | 0 | 39 | 8.9 |
| Bill Baird | 14 | 14 | 18 | 111 | 0 | 20 | 6.2 |
| Jim Richards | 12 | 0 | 4 | 57 | 0 | 37 | 14.3 |
| Gerry Philbin | 14 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2.0 |
| NYJ Totals | 14 | 36 | 286 | 0 | 39 | 7.9 | |
| Opp Totals | 14 | 39 | 531 | 3 | 13.6 | ||
Defense & Fumbles
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scoring Summary
| Scoring Summary | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | GS | RshTD | RecTD | PR TD | KR TD | FblTD | IntTD | OthTD | AllTD | 2PM | 2PA | XPM | XPA | FGM | FGA | Sfty | Pts |
| Jim Turner | 14 | 0 | 43 | 43 | 34 | 46 | 145 | |||||||||||
| Don Maynard | 13 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 60 | |||||||||||||
| Matt Snell | 14 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 42 | ||||||||||||
| Bill Mathis | 14 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 38 | |||||||||||
| Emerson Boozer | 12 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 30 | |||||||||||||
| Billy Joe | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 18 | |||||||||||||
| Pete Lammons | 13 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 18 | |||||||||||||
| George Sauer | 14 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 18 | |||||||||||||
| Joe Namath | 14 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||||||
| Bake Turner | 13 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||||||
| Randy Beverly | 13 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Babe Parilli | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Johnny Sample | 14 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Mark Smolinski | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Paul Crane | 13 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| NYJ Totals | 14 | 22 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 45 | 1 | 43 | 43 | 34 | 46 | 1 | 421 | |||||
| Opp Totals | 14 | 9 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 34 | 9 | 17 | 280 | |||||||
Team
| Team Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | PF | Yds | Ply | Y/P | TO | FL | 1stD | Pass Cmp | Pass Att | Pass Yds | Pass TD | Int | NY/A | Pass 1stD | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Y/A | Rush 1stD | Pen | Yds | 1stPy |
| NYJ Stats | 419 | 5047 | 921 | 5.5 | 28 | 9 | 249 | 217 | 436 | 3439 | 20 | 19 | 7.6 | 144 | 467 | 1608 | 22 | 3.4 | 80 | 76 | 742 | 25 |
| Opp Stats | 280 | 3363 | 814 | 4.1 | 43 | 15 | 178 | 187 | 403 | 2168 | 17 | 28 | 4.9 | 104 | 368 | 1195 | 9 | 3.2 | 59 | 65 | 695 | 15 |
| Lg Rank Offense | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||
| Lg Rank Defense | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
Quarter-by-quarter
| Quarter-by-quarter | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| Jets | 103 | 113 | 64 | 139 | 419 |
| Opponents | 44 | 69 | 41 | 126 | 280 |
| Preceded by | American Football League champion 1968 | Succeeded by |
