1968 New York Jets season
1968 season of AFL team New York Jets; first and to date only Super Bowl appearance and win
The 1968 New York Jets season was the ninth season for the team in the American Football League (AFL). The team had the most successful season in franchise history . Trying to improve upon their 8–5–1 record of 1967 , they won the AFL Eastern Division with an 11–3 record. They defeated the defending champion Oakland Raiders , 27–23 in the AFL championship game and earned the right to play in Super Bowl III against the NFL champion Baltimore Colts . In a stunning upset, marked by fourth-year quarterback Joe 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 the New 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 53 complete seasons since this game; they did not appear in a semi-final playoff round again until 1983.
In 2007, NFL Network aired America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions , the 1968 New York Jets , with team commentary from Joe Namath , Gerry Philbin and Don Maynard , and was narrated by Alec 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 the AFL-NFL Merger . The Jets were the highest ranked team that played in the AFL, and also the highest pre-merger team not coached by Vince Lombardi .[ 1] [ 2]
The last remaining active member of the 1968 New York Jets was guard Randy Rasmussen , who retired after the 1981 NFL season .
Offseason
On May 21, Sonny Werblin sold his shares in the Jets to his partners Donald C. Lillis , Leon Hess , Townsend Martin, and Philip 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]
Draft
Personnel
Staff
1968 New York Jets staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Roster
Preseason
Schedule
Regular season
Regular season schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
Recap
1
Bye
2
September 15
at Kansas City Chiefs
W 20–19
1–0
Municipal Stadium
48,871
Recap
3
September 22
Boston Patriots W 47–31
2–0
Legion Field [ 4] 29,192
Recap
4
September 29
at Buffalo Bills
L 35–37
2–1
War Memorial Stadium
38,044
Recap
5
October 5
San Diego Chargers
W 23–20
3–1
Shea Stadium
63,786
Recap
6
October 13
Denver Broncos
L 13–21
3–2
Shea Stadium
63,052
Recap
7
October 20
at Houston Oilers
W 20–14
4–2
Astrodome
51,710
Recap
8
October 27
Boston Patriots W 48–14
5–2
Shea Stadium
62,351
Recap
9
November 3
Buffalo Bills W 25–21
6–2
Shea Stadium
61,452
Recap
10
November 10
Houston Oilers W 26–7
7–2
Shea Stadium
60,242
Recap
11
November 17
at Oakland Raiders
L 32–437–3
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
53,318
Recap
12
November 24
at San Diego Chargers
W 37–15
8–3
San Diego Stadium
51,175
Recap
13
December 1
Miami Dolphins W 35–17
9–3
Shea Stadium
61,766
Recap
14
December 8
Cincinnati Bengals
W 27–14
10–3
Shea Stadium
61,111
Recap
15
December 15
at Miami Dolphins
W 31–7
11–3
Orange Bowl
32,843
Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Results
(*) Played at Legion Field , Birmingham since Boston Red Sox refused to rent Fenway Park to Patriots.
Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings in the AFL.
Game summaries
Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 2: New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs
Quarter
Total
Jets 7
10
0 3 20
Chiefs
3
7
3 6 19
at Municipal Stadium , Kansas City , Missouri
Date : September 15, 1968Game time : 4:00 p.m. EDT Game weather : 71 °F (22 °C), relative humidity 57%, wind 12 mph (19 km/h)Game attendance : 48,871TV announcers (NBC ) : Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYJ – Jim Turner 22-yard field goal. Jets 10–3.
NYJ – Don Maynard 30-yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick). Jets 17–3. Third quarter
KC – Noland Smith 80-yard punt return (Jan Stenerud kick). Jets 17–10.
KC – Jan Stenerud 18-yard field goal. Jets 17–13. Fourth quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 22-yard field goal. Jets 17–16.
NYJ – Jim Turner 42-yard field goal. Jets 20–16.
KC – Jan Stenerud 28-yard field goal. Jets 20–19.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: at Boston Patriots
Week 3: New York Jets at Boston Patriots
Quarter
Total
Jets 14
6
17 10 47
Patriots
3
7
7 14 31
at Legion Field , Birmingham, Alabama
Date : September 22, 1968Game time : 4:00 p.m. EDT Game weather : 73 °F (23 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 8 mph (13 km/h)Game attendance : 29,192TV announcers (NBC ) : Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)Box Score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NYJ – Jim Turner 30-yard field goal. Jets 17–3.
NYJ – Jim Turner 27-yard field goal. Jets 20–3.
BOS – Aaron Marsh 70-yard pass from Mike Taliaferro (Gino Cappelletti kick). Jets 20–10. Third quarter
BOS – Mel Witt 4-yard interception return (Gino Cappelletti kick). Jets 20–17.
NYJ – Mark Smolinski 3-yard blocked punt return (Jim Turner kick). Jets 27–17.
NYJ – Pete Lammons 29-yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick). Jets 34–17.
NYJ – Jim Turner 27-yard field goal. Jets 37–17. Fourth quarter
NYJ – Emerson Boozer 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Jets 44–17.
BOS – Ed Philpott 10-yard fumble return (Gino Cappelletti kick). Jets 44–24.
NYJ – Jim Turner 48-yard field goal. Jets 47–24.
BOS – Gene Thomas 1-yard run (Gino Cappelletti kick). Jets 47–31.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
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.
Week 4: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Quarter
Total
Jets (2–1)
7
14
0 14 35
Bills (1–3) 10
10
3 14 37
at War Memorial Stadium , Buffalo, New York
Date : September 29, 1968Game time : 1:30 p.m. EDT Game weather : 53 °F (12 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 7 mph (11 km/h)Game attendance : 38,044TV announcers (NBC ) : Jim Simpson (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)Box Score
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Jets
Bills
1
Jets
Sauer 4-yard touchdown reception from Namath , Turner kick good
7
0
1
Bills
35-yard field goal by Alford
7
3
1
Bills
Gregory 2-yard touchdown run, Alford kick good
7
10
2
—
—
—
Bills
Interception returned 100 yards for touchdown by Janik , Alford kick good
7
17
2
Jets
Boozer 1-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good
14
17
2
Bills
41-yard field goal by Alford
14
20
2
Jets
Maynard 55-yard touchdown reception from Namath , Turner kick good
21
20
3
Bills
37-yard field goal by Alford
21
23
4
—
—
—
Bills
Interception returned 53 yards for touchdown by Byrd , Alford kick good
21
30
4
—
—
—
Bills
Interception returned 45 yards for touchdown by Edgderson , Alford kick good
21
37
4
Jets
Snell 3-yard touchdown reception from Namath , Turner kick good
28
37
4
Jets
Sauer 10-yard touchdown reception from Namath , Turner kick good
35
37
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
35
37
Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 5: San Diego Chargers at New York Jets
Quarter
Total
Chargers (3–1)
0
7
6 7 20
Jets (3–1) 3
6
7 7 23
at Shea Stadium , Flushing, New York
Date : October 5, 1968Game time : 8:00 p.m. EDT Game weather : 53 °F (12 °C), relative humidity 48%, wind 15 mph (24 km/h)Game attendance : 63,786Box Score
Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 6: Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Quarter
Total
Broncos (2–3) 7
7
7 0 21
Jets (3–2)
7
3
0 3 13
at Shea Stadium , Flushing, New York
Date : October 13, 1968Game time : 1:30 p.m. EDT Game weather : 64 °F (18 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 8 mph (13 km/h)Game attendance : 63,052TV announcers (NBC ) : Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)Box Score
Week 7: at Houston Oilers
Week 7: New York Jets at Houston Oilers
Quarter
Total
Jets (4–2) 2
8
0 10 20
Oilers (2–5)
0
0
0 14 14
at Astrodome , Houston , Texas
Date : October 20, 1968Game time : 4:00 p.m. EDT Game weather : indoors (dome)Game attendance : 51,710TV announcers (NBC ) : Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)Box Score
Week 8: vs. Boston Patriots
Week 8: Boston Patriots at New York Jets
Quarter
Total
Patriots (3–4)
0
0
0 14 14
Jets (5–2) 7
3
10 28 48
at Shea Stadium , Flushing, New York
Date : October 27, 1968Game time : 1:30 p.m. EST Game weather : 50 °F (10 °C), relative humidity 48%, wind 16 mph (26 km/h)Game attendance : 62,351TV announcers (NBC ) : Jim Simpson (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)Box Score
Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 9: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Quarter
Total
Bills (1–7–1)
7
0
0 14 21
Jets (6–2) 3
13
3 6 25
at Shea Stadium , Flushing, New York
Date : November 3, 1968Game time : 1:30 p.m. EST Game weather : 58 °F (14 °C), relative humidity 48%, wind 8 mph (13 km/h)Game attendance : 61,452TV announcers (NBC ) : Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)Box Score
Week 10: vs. Houston Oilers
Week 10: Houston Oilers at New York Jets
Quarter
Total
Oilers (4–6)
7
0
0 0 7
Jets (7–2) 13
3
7 3 26
at Shea Stadium , Flushing, New York
Date : November 10, 1968Game time : 1:30 p.m. EST Game weather : 42 °F (6 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 17 mph (27 km/h)Game attendance : 60,242TV announcers (NBC ) : Bill Enis (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)Box Score
Week 11 at Oakland Raiders
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 pm Eastern time , the Jets scored late to take a 32–29 lead over the Oakland Raiders with 1:05 left. NBC cut to a commercial, and then everywhere but the West Coast showed the movie Heidi , a show which NBC had promoted extensively for the sweeps 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 the Heidi 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.
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Jets
Raiders
1
Jets
44-yard field goal by Turner
3
0
1
Jets
18-yard field goal by Turner
6
0
1
Raiders
Wells 9-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica , Blanda kick good
6
7
2
Raiders
Cannon 48-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica , Blanda kick good
6
14
2
Jets
Namath 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass incomplete
12
14
3
Jets
Mathis 4-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good
19
14
3
Raiders
Smith 3-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass good, Lamonica to Dixon
19
22
4
Jets
Maynard 50-yard touchdown reception from Namath , Turner kick good
26
22
4
Jets
12-yard field goal by Turner
29
22
4
Raiders
Biletnikoff 22-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica , Blanda kick good
29
29
4
Jets
26-yard field goal by Turner
32
29
4
Raiders
Smith 43-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica , Blanda kick good
32
36
4
—
—
—
Raiders
Fumble returned 2 yards for touchdown by Ridlehuber , Blanda kick good
32
43
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
32
43
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
NYJ
OAK
1
7:42
Jets
44-yard field goal by Turner
3
0
1
5:23
Jets
18-yard field goal by Turner
6
0
1
2:32
Raiders
Wells 9-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica , Blanda kick good
6
7
2
13:34
Raiders
Cannon 48-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica, Blanda kick good
6
14
2
0:05
Jets
Namath 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass failed
12
14
3
9:59
Jets
Mathis 4-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good
19
14
3
1:46
Raiders
Smith 3-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass good
19
22
4
14:15
Jets
Maynard 50-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good
26
22
4
8:49
Jets
12-yard field goal by Turner
29
22
4
3:10
Raiders
Biletnikoff 22-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica, Blanda kick good
29
29
4
1:05
Jets
26-yard field goal by Turner
32
29
4
0:42
Raiders
Smith 43-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica, Blanda kick good
32
36
4
0:33
Raiders
Fumble recovery returned 2 yards for touchdown by Ridlehuber , Blanda kick good
32
43
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
32
43
Week 12: at San Diego Chargers
Week 12: New York Jets at San Diego Chargers
Quarter
Total
Jets (8–3) 10
17
3 7 37
Chargers (8–3)
0
7
0 8 15
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : November 24, 1968Game time : 4:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 60 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 87%, wind 6 mph (9.7 km/h)Game attendance : 51,175TV announcers (NBC ) : Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)Box Score
Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 13: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
Quarter
Total
Dolphins (4–7–1)
0
10
0 7 17
Jets (9–3) 0
14
0 21 35
at Shea Stadium , Flushing, New York
Date : December 1, 1968Game time : 1:30 p.m. EST Game weather : 36 °F (2 °C), relative humidity 57%, wind 8 mph (13 km/h), wind chill 30 °F (−1 °C)Game attendance : 61,766Referee : Bob Finley TV announcers (NBC ) : Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)Box Score
Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets
Quarter
Total
Bengals (3–11)
0
7
0 7 14
Jets (10–3) 14
3
3 7 27
at Shea Stadium , Flushing, New York
Date : December 8, 1968Game time : 1:30 p.m. EST Game weather : 33 °F (1 °C), relative humidity 50%, wind 17 mph (27 km/h), wind chill 22 °F (−6 °C)Game attendance : 61,111TV announcers (NBC ) : Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)Box Score
Week 15: at Miami Dolphins
Week 15: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
Quarter
Total
Jets (11–3) 10
7
7 7 31
Dolphins (5–8–1)
0
7
0 0 7
at Miami Orange Bowl , Miami, Florida
Date : December 15, 1968Game time : 1:30 p.m. EST Game weather : 57 °F (14 °C), relative humidity 56%, wind 17 mph (27 km/h)Game attendance : 32,843TV announcers (NBC ) : Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)Box Score
Postseason
On December 29, Weeb Ewbank became the first coach to win titles in the National Football League and in the American Football League. His former team, the Baltimore Colts won the 1968 NFL Championship on December 29 as well. The Colts defeated the Cleveland Browns by a score of 34–0.[ 5]
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
AFL Championship
1968 AFL Championship Game: Oakland Raiders at New York Jets
Quarter
Total
Raiders (13–3)
0
10
3 10 23
Jets (12–3) 10
3
7 7 27
at Shea Stadium , Flushing, New York
Date : December 29, 1968Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST Game weather : 42 °F (6 °C), relative humidity 51%, wind 18 mph (29 km/h)Game attendance : 62,627Referee : Walt FitzgeraldTV announcers (NBC ) : Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)Box Score
Super Bowl III
The Guarantee
Namath (middle ) running a play against the Colts in Super Bowl III. 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 the Oakland 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 the Super Bowl (and referred to retroactively as Super Bowl III ). They were pitted against the champions of the NFL, the Baltimore 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.[ 6]
Scoring summary
Super Bowl III: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts
Quarter
Total
Jets (13–3) 0
7
6 3 16
Colts (15–2)
0
0
0 7 7
at Miami Orange Bowl , Miami, Florida
Game officials
Preseason
Game officials
Week
Opponent
Referee
Umpire
Head linesman
Line judge
Back judge
Field judge
1
2
3
4
5
Regular season game officials
Game officials
Week
Opponent
Referee
Umpire
Head linesman
Line judge
Back judge
Field judge
1
2
3
4
5
6
(22) Paul Trepinski
(40) Bob Whetstone
(51) Frank Rustich
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Postseason
Game officials
Round
Opponent
Referee
Umpire
Head linesman
Line judge
Back judge
Field judge
Alternate
Walt Fitzgerald
Tony Veteri
Al Sabato
Bob Baur
(25) Walt Parker (AFL)
(30) George Murphy (NFL)
Radio
Flagship Station
Play-by-play
Color Commentator
Studio Host
Pre season Local TV
Flagship Station
Play-by-play
Color Commentator
Stats
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
Receiving
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
Punt Return
Defense & Fumbles
Sacks & Tackles
Player
G
GS
Sk
Tkl
Ast
Sfty
Paul Crane 13
0
1
NYJ Totals 14
1
Opp Totals 14
18
Scoring Summary
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
Pop Culture
In the 2017 song Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled , Rihanna makes a reference to the '68 Jets.
Awards and honors
References
^ "NFL Top 100 Teams" . Pro Football Reference.^ "100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100–1 SUPERCUT" . NFL.com .^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2 , p. 283
^ 1968 schedule ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2 , p. 283
^ He guaranteed it – Pro Football Hall of Fame
External links
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Key personnel Division championships (4) League championships (1) Media Current league affiliations Former league affiliation
Formerly the New York Titans (1960–1962)
