1968 New York Jets season

1968 season of AFL team New York Jets; first and to date only Super Bowl appearance and win

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| 1st AFL East
Playoffs| Won AFL Championship
(vs. Raiders) 27–23
Won Super Bowl III
(vs. Colts) 16–7
Pro Bowlers| MLB Al Atkinson
RDE Verlon Biggs
HB Emerson Boozer
RDT John Elliott
RG Dave Herman
LT Winston Hill
FL Don Maynard
QB Joe Namath
LDE Gerry Philbin
SE George Sauer
K Jim Turner

* <- 1967
* Jets seasons
* 1969 ->

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 56 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Main article: 1968 NFL/AFL draft

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 one Pro Bowl during career

## Personnel

[edit]

### Staff

[edit]

1968 New York Jets staff |

Front office

* Majority Owner/Team President/CEO & Chairman – Leon Hess
* Vice President/board member/Minority Owner – Donald C. Lillis
* General manager – Weeb Ewbank

Head coaches

* Head Coach – Weeb Ewbank

Offensive coaches

* Offensive coordinator – Clive Rush
* Offensive line coach – Joe Spencer

|  |  | Defensive coaches

* Defensive coordinator – Walt Michaels
* Defensive line coach – Buddy Ryan

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### Roster

[edit]

1968 New York Jets roster Quarterbacks (QB)

* 12 Joe Namath
* 15 Babe Parilli

Running backs (RB)

* 32 Emerson Boozer
* 31 Bill Mathis
* 30 Mark Smolinski
* 41 Matt Snell

Wide receivers (WR)

* 13 Don Maynard
* 23 Bill Rademacher
* 83 George Sauer
* 29 Bake Turner

Tight ends (TE)

* 87 Pete Lammons

|  | Offensive linemen (OL)

* 67 Dave Herman G
* 75 Winston Hill T
* 66 Randy Rasmussen G
* 74 Jeff Richardson C/T
* 52 John Schmitt C
* 61 Bob Talamini G
* 71 Sam Walton T

Defensive linemen (DL)

* 86 Verlon Biggs DE
* 80 John Elliott DT
* 50 Carl McAdams DE/DT
* 81 Gerry Philbin DE
* 72 Paul Rochester DT
* 85 Steve Thompson DE

|  | Linebackers (LB)

* 62 Al Atkinson MLB
* 51 Ralph Baker OLB
* 56 Paul Crane OLB
* 60 Larry Grantham OLB
* 63 John Neidert MLB

Defensive backs (DB)

* 46 Bill Baird FS
* 42 Randy Beverly CB
* 45 Earl Christy CB
* 47 Mike D'Amato SS
* 43 John Dockery CB
* 48 Cornell Gordon FS/CB
* 22 Jim Hudson SS
* 26 Jim Richards CB/S
* 24 Johnny Sample CB

Special teams (ST)

* 33 Curley Johnson P/TE
* 11 Jim Turner K

|  | Practice squad

* \-- Tony DiMidio T
* 73 Ray Hayes DT
* 70 Karl Henke DE

Reserve

* 35 Billy Joe RB (IR)
* 82 Gary Magner DE (IR)
* \-- Paul Seiler (Military)
* 68 Michael Stromberg LB (IR)
* 34 Lee White RB (IR)

Rookies in italics

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## Preseason

[edit]

### Schedule

[edit]

Week  | Date  | Opponent  | Result  | Record  | Venue  | Attendance  | Recap

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1  | August 12 | at Houston 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  |

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

24,358

| Recap
5  | September 7 | Detroit Lions | W 9–6  | 3–2  |

Cleveland Municipal Stadium

84,918

| Recap

## Regular season

[edit]

### Regular season schedule

[edit]

Week  | Date  | Opponent  | Result  | Record  | Venue  | Attendance  | Recap

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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, Birmingham, AL[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 32–43 | 7–3  | 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

[edit]

Home/Road  | Eastern Division  | Western Division

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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 at Legion Field, Birmingham since Boston Red Sox refused to rent Fenway Park to Patriots.

## Standings

[edit]

AFL Eastern Division

* view
* talk
* edit

| 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.

### Game summaries

[edit]

#### Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

Week 2: New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Jets | 7 | 10 | 0| 3| 20
Chiefs | 3 | 7 | 3| 6| 19

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

* Date: September 15, 1968
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), relative humidity 57%, wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
* Game attendance: 48,871
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* NYJ – Don Maynard 57-yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick). Jets 7–0.
* KC – Jan Stenerud 33-yard field goal. Jets 7–3.

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

* NYJ – Joe Namath – 17/29, 302 yards, 2 TD, INT
* KC – Len Dawson – 12/20, 98 yards

Top rushers

* NYJ – Emerson Boozer – 18 rushes, 75 yards
* KC – Bert Coan – 11 rushes, 45 yards

Top receivers

* NYJ – Don Maynard – 8 receptions, 203 yards, 2 TD
* KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 42 yards

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#### Week 3: at Boston Patriots

[edit]

Week 3: New York Jets at Boston Patriots

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Jets | 14 | 6 | 17| 10| 47
Patriots | 3 | 7 | 7| 14| 31

at Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

* Date: September 22, 1968
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 8 mph (13 km/h)
* Game attendance: 29,192
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)
* Box Score

Game information

First quarter

* NYJ – Randy Beverly 68-yard interception return (Jim Turner kick). Jets 7–0.
* BOS – Gino Cappelletti 31-yard field goal. Jets 7–3.
* NYJ – Don Maynard 39-yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick). Jets 14–3.

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

* NYJ – Joe Namath – 13/25, 196 yards, 2 TD, INT
* BOS – Mike Taliaferro – 17/30, 276 yards, TD, 4 INT

Top rushers

* NYJ – Emerson Boozer – 8 rushes, 52 yards, TD
* BOS – Jim Nance – 14 rushes, 25 yards

Top receivers

* NYJ – George Sauer – 5 receptions, 76 yards
* BOS – Aaron Marsh – 4 receptions, 140 yards, TD

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#### Week 4: at Buffalo Bills

[edit]

See also: 1968 Buffalo Bills season

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 | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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, 1968
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 7 mph (11 km/h)
* Game attendance: 38,044
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Simpson (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

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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

[edit]

See also: 1968 San Diego Chargers season

Week 5: San Diego Chargers at New York Jets

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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, 1968
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), relative humidity 48%, wind 15 mph (24 km/h)
* Game attendance: 63,786
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

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Plays | Yards  | TOP | Chargers  | Jets
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 26-yard field goal by Turner | 0  | 3
2  |  |  |  |  | Chargers  | Alworth 7-yard touchdown reception from Hadl, Partee kick good  | 7  | 3
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 45-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 6
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 11-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 9
3  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Snell 1-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 7  | 16
3  |  |  |  |  | Chargers  | Garrison 84-yard touchdown run, Partee kick no good  | 13  | 16
4  |  |  |  |  | Chargers  | Garrison 5-yard touchdown reception from Hadl, Partee kick good  | 20  | 16
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Boozer 1-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 20  | 23
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 20  | 23

#### Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos

[edit]

See also: 1968 Denver Broncos season

Week 6: Denver Broncos at New York Jets

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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, 1968
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 8 mph (13 km/h)
* Game attendance: 63,052
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

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Plays | Yards  | TOP | Broncos  | Jets
1  | 6:27  |  |  |  | Jets  | Boozer 5-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 0  | 7
1  | 1:04  |  |  |  | Broncos  | Lynch 4-yard touchdown run, Howfield kick good  | 7  | 7
2  | 8:56  |  |  |  | Broncos  | Lynch 6-yard touchdown run, Howfield kick good  | 14  | 7
2  | 4:37  |  |  |  | Jets  | 29-yard field goal by Turner | 14  | 10
3  | 0:36  |  |  |  | Broncos  | Crabtree 72-yard touchdown reception from Tensi, Howfield kick good  | 21  | 10
4  | 13:05  |  |  |  | Jets  | 24-yard field goal by Turner | 21  | 13
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 21  | 13

#### Week 7: at Houston Oilers

[edit]

See also: 1968 Houston Oilers season

Week 7: New York Jets at Houston Oilers

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Jets (4–2) | 2 | 8 | 0| 10| 20
Oilers (2–5) | 0 | 0 | 0| 14| 14

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

* Date: October 20, 1968
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: indoors (dome)
* Game attendance: 51,710
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

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Plays | Yards  | TOP | Jets  | Oilers
1  |  | —  | —  | —  | Jets  | Norton punt blocked through the end zone by Crane for a safety  | 2  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Namath 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass good, Namath to Mathis | 10  | 0
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 12-yard field goal by Turner | 13  | 0
4  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Reed 9-yard touchdown reception from Trull, Walker kick good  | 13  | 7
4  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Beirne 19-yard touchdown reception from Trull, Walker kick good  | 13  | 14
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Snell 2-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 20  | 14
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 20  | 14

#### Week 8: vs. Boston Patriots

[edit]

See also: 1968 Boston Patriots season

Week 8: Boston Patriots at New York Jets

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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, 1968
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), relative humidity 48%, wind 16 mph (26 km/h)
* Game attendance: 62,351
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Simpson (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

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Plays | Yards  | TOP | Patriots  | Jets
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Snell 2-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 0  | 7
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 12-yard field goal by Turner | 0  | 10
3  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 23-yard field goal by Turner | 0  | 13
3  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Snell 1-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 0  | 20
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Parilli 2-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 0  | 27
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Joe 7-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 0  | 34
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Joe 15-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 0  | 41
2  |  |  |  |  | Patriots  | Whalen 87-yard touchdown reception from Sherman, Cappelletti kick good  | 7  | 41
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Joe 32-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 7  | 48
4  |  |  |  |  | Patriots  | Scarpitto 33-yard touchdown reception from Sherman, Cappelletti kick good  | 14  | 48
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 14  | 48

#### Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills

[edit]

See also: 1968 Buffalo Bills season

Week 9: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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, 1968
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), relative humidity 48%, wind 8 mph (13 km/h)
* Game attendance: 61,452
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

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Plays | Yards  | TOP | Bills  | Jets
1  |  |  |  |  | Bills  | Moses 55-yard touchdown reception from Stephenson, Alford kick good  | 7  | 0
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 32-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 3
2  |  | —  | —  | —  | Jets  | Interception returned 36 yards for touchdown by Sample, Turner kick good  | 7  | 10
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 9-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 13
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 32-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 16
3  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 27-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 19
4  |  |  |  |  | Bills  | Costa 10-yard touchdown reception from Stephenson, Alford kick good  | 14  | 19
4  |  | —  | —  | —  | Bills  | Punt returned 82 yards for touchdown by Clarke, Alford kick good  | 21  | 19
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 35-yard field goal by Turner | 21  | 22
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 21-yard field goal by Turner | 21  | 25
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 21  | 25

#### Week 10: vs. Houston Oilers

[edit]

See also: 1968 Houston Oilers season

Week 10: Houston Oilers at New York Jets

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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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, 1968
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 17 mph (27 km/h)
* Game attendance: 60,242
* TV announcers (NBC): Bill Enis (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | Oilers  | Jets
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Mathis 2-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 0  | 7
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 14-yard field goal by Turner | 0  | 10
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 32-yard field goal by Turner | 0  | 13
1  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Granger 47-yard touchdown run, Walker kick good  | 7  | 13
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 28-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 16
3  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Mathis 1-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 7  | 23
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 21-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 26
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7  | 26

#### Week 11 at Oakland Raiders

[edit]

Main article: Heidi Game

See also: 1968 Oakland Raiders season

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.[5]

Week 11: New York Jets at Oakland Raiders

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Jets (7–3) | 6 | 6 | 7| 13| 32
Raiders (8–2) | 7 | 7 | 8| 21| 43

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

* Date: November 17, 1968
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 0%, wind 0 mph (0 km/h), wind chill 0 °F (−18 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,318
* Referee: Bob Finley
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)
* Box Score

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

[edit]

See also: 1968 San Diego Chargers season

Week 12: New York Jets at San Diego Chargers

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| 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, 1968
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 87%, wind 6 mph (9.7 km/h)
* Game attendance: 51,175
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | Jets  | Chargers
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 13-yard field goal by Turner | 3  | 0
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Maynard 87-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 10  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Snell 3-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 17  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 20-yard field goal by Turner | 20  | 0
2  |  | —  | —  | —  | Chargers  | Duncan 95-yard punt return for a touchdown, Partee kick good  | 20  | 7
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Mathis 19-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 27  | 7
3  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 30-yard field goal by Turner | 30  | 7
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Mathis 1-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 37  | 7
4  |  |  |  |  | Chargers  | MacKinnon 3-yard touchdown reception from Hadl, 2-point pass good, Hadl to MacKinnon | 37  | 15
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 37  | 15

#### Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins

[edit]

See also: 1968 Miami Dolphins season

Week 13: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| 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, 1968
* Game 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: 61,766
* Referee: Bob Finley
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | Dolphins  | Jets
2  | 13:24  | 12  | 72  |  | Dolphins  | 15-yard field goal by Keyes | 3  | 0
2  | 5:26  | 5  | 77  |  | Jets  | Maynard 54-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 3  | 7
2  | 3:08  | 2  | 9  |  | Jets  | Lammons 5-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 3  | 14
2  | 0:26  | 10  | 80  |  | Dolphins  | Milton 38-yard touchdown reception from Griese, Keyes kick good  | 10  | 14
4  | 11:04  | 17  | 86  |  | Dolphins  | Kiick 1-yard touchdown run, Keyes kick good  | 17  | 14
4  | 8:44  | 7  | 74  |  | Jets  | Maynard 47-yard touchdown reception from Parilli, Turner kick good  | 17  | 21
4  | 8:02  | 3  | 75  |  | Jets  | Maynard 25-yard touchdown reception from Parilli, Turner kick good  | 17  | 28
4  | 2:54  | 6  | 59  |  | Jets  | Turner 40-yard touchdown reception from Parilli, Turner kick good  | 17  | 35
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 17  | 35

#### Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]

See also: 1968 Cincinnati Bengals season

Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| 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, 1968
* Game 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: 61,111
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | Bengals  | Jets
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Sauer 10-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 0  | 7
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Maynard 12-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 0  | 14
2  |  |  |  |  | Bengals  | Robinson 14-yard touchdown run, Sherman kick good  | 7  | 14
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 35-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 17
3  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 22-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 20
4  |  | —  | —  | —  | Bengals  | Fumble returned 0 yards for a touchdown by Griffin, Sherman kick good  | 14  | 20
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Turner 34-yard touchdown reception from Parilli, Turner kick good  | 14  | 27
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 14  | 27

#### Week 15: at Miami Dolphins

[edit]

See also: 1968 Miami Dolphins season

Week 15: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| 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, 1968
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), relative humidity 56%, wind 17 mph (27 km/h)
* Game attendance: 32,843
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | Jets  | Dolphins
1  | 6:37  | 3  | 80  |  | Jets  | Snell 6-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 7  | 0
1  | 0:48  | 6  | 33  |  | Jets  | 49-yard field goal by Turner | 10  | 0
2  | 8:57  | 5  | 14  |  | Jets  | Boozer 1-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 17  | 0
2  | 1:20  | 5  | 9  |  | Dolphins  | Csonka 1-yard touchdown run, Moreau kick good  | 17  | 7
3  | 9:07  | 9  | 82  |  | Jets  | Lammons 3-yard touchdown reception from Parilli, Turner kick good  | 24  | 7
4  | 2:47  | 10  | 58  |  | Jets  | Mathis 2-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 31  | 7
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 31  | 7

## Postseason

[edit]

* 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.[6]

Week  | Date  | Opponent  | Result  | Record  | Venue  | Attendance  | Recap

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

AFL Championship

December 29, 1968

Oakland Raiders

| W 27–23  | 1–0  |

Shea Stadium

62,627

| Recap

Super Bowl III

January 12, 1969

Baltimore Colts

| W 16–7  | 2–0  |

Orange Bowl

75,402

| Recap

### AFL Championship

[edit]

Main article: 1968 American Football League Championship Game

See also: 1968 Oakland Raiders season

1968 AFL Championship Game: Oakland Raiders at New York Jets

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| 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, 1968
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C), relative humidity 51%, wind 18 mph (29 km/h)
* Game attendance: 62,627
* Referee: Walt Fitzgerald
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | Raiders  | Jets
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Maynard 14-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 0  | 7
1  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 33-yard field goal by Turner | 0  | 10
2  |  |  |  |  | Raiders  | Biletnikoff 29-yard touchdown reception from Lamonica, Blanda kick good  | 7  | 10
2  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | 36-yard field goal by Turner | 7  | 13
2  |  |  |  |  | Raiders  | 26-yard field goal by Blanda | 10  | 13
3  |  |  |  |  | Raiders  | 9-yard field goal by Blanda | 13  | 13
3  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Lammons 20-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 13  | 20
4  |  |  |  |  | Raiders  | 20-yard field goal by Blanda | 16  | 20
4  |  |  |  |  | Raiders  | Banaszak 4-yard touchdown run, Blanda kick good  | 23  | 20
4  |  |  |  |  | Jets  | Maynard 6-yard touchdown reception from Namath, Turner kick good  | 23  | 27
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 23  | 27

### Super Bowl III

[edit]

Main article: Super Bowl III

See also: 1968 Baltimore Colts season

#### The Guarantee

[edit]

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.[7]

#### Scoring summary

[edit]

Super Bowl III: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Jets (13–3) | 0 | 7 | 6| 3| 16
Colts (15–2) | 0 | 0 | 0| 7| 7

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

* Date: January 12, 1969
* Game time: 3:05 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), overcast, windy, 20% chance of rain, wind 12 mph (19 km/h)
* Game attendance: 75,389
* Referee: Tom Bell
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis and Kyle Rote (color commentators), Jim Simpson (sideline reporter)
* Box Score

Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | Jets  | Colts
2  | 9:03  | 12  | 80  | 5:06  | Jets  | Snell 4-yard touchdown run, Turner kick good  | 7  | 0
3  | 10:08  | 8  | 8  | 4:17  | Jets  | 32-yard field goal by Turner | 10  | 0
3  | 3:58  | 10  | 45  | 4:06  | Jets  | 30-yard field goal by Turner | 13  | 0
4  | 13:26  | 7  | 61  | 3:58  | Jets  | 9-yard field goal by Turner | 16  | 0
4  | 3:19  | 14  | 80  | 3:15  | Colts  | Hill 1-yard touchdown run, Michaels kick good  | 16  | 7
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 16  | 7

## Game officials

[edit]

### Preseason

[edit]

Game officials

Week | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head linesman | Line judge | Back judge | Field judge

at Houston Oilers

|  |  |  |  |  |

vs. Boston Patriots

|  |  |  |  |  |

vs. Atlanta Falcons

|  |  |  |  |  |

vs. Cincinnati Bengals

|  |  |  |  |  |

vs. Detroit Lions

|  |  |  |  |  |

### Regular season game officials

[edit]

Game officials

Week | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head linesman | Line judge | Back judge | Field judge

Bye

at Kansas City Chiefs

|  |  |  |  |  |

vs. Boston Patriots

|  |  |  |  |  |

at Buffalo Bills

|  |  |  |  |  |

San Diego Chargers

|  |  |  |  |  |

Denver Broncos

(12) Ben Dreith

(22) Paul Trepinski

(33) Elvin Hutchinson

(65) Aaron Wade

(40) Bob Whetstone

(51) Frank Rustich

at Houston Oilers

|  |  |  |  |  |

Boston Patriots

|  |  |  |  |  |

Buffalo Bills

|  |  |  |  |  |

Houston Oilers

|  |  |  |  |  |

at Oakland Raiders

|  |  |  |  |  |

at San Diego Chargers

|  |  |  |  |  |

Miami Dolphins

Bob Finley

|  |  |  |  |

Cincinnati Bengals

|  |  |  |  |  |

at Miami Dolphins

|  |  |  |  |  |

### Postseason

[edit]

Game officials

Round | Opponent | Referee | Umpire | Head linesman | Line judge | Back judge | Field judge | Alternate

AFL Championship

Oakland Raiders

Walt Fitzgerald

George Young

Tony Veteri

Al Sabato

Hugh Gamber

Bob Baur

Super Bowl III

Baltimore Colts

(7) Tom Bell (NFL)

(25) Walt Parker (AFL)

(30) George Murphy (NFL)

(72) Cal Lepore (AFL)

(42) Jack Reader (AFL)

(54) Joe Gonzales (NFL)

## Media

[edit]

Radio

Flagship Station  | Play-by-play  | Color Commentator  | Studio Host

WABC–AM 770

Merle Harmon

Sam DeLuca

Pre season Local TV

Flagship Station  | Play-by-play  | Color Commentator

WOR-TV 9

|  |

## Stats

[edit]

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

| Defensive Interceptions

Player | G | GS | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD
Johnny Sample | 14 | 14 | 7 | 88 | 1 | 39 | 0
Jim Hudson | 14 | 14 | 5 | 96 | 0 | 45 | 0
Randy Beverly | 13 | 13 | 4 | 127 | 1 | 68 | 0
Bill Baird | 14 | 14 | 4 | 74 | 0 | 36 | 0
Ralph Baker | 14 | 14 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 20 | 0
Al Atkinson | 14 | 14 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 22 | 0
Cornell Gordon | 14 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Earl Christy | 14 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0
NYJ Totals | 14 |  | 28 | 456 | 2 | 68 | 0
Opp Totals | 14 |  |  |  |  |  |

| Fumbles

Player | G | GS | FF | Fmb | FR | Yds | TD
Emerson Boozer | 12 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0
Johnny Sample | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0
Ralph Baker | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
Babe Parilli | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0
Earl Christy | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0
Cornell Gordon | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
Matt Snell | 14 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0
Curley Johnson | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0
Carl McAdams | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0
Gerry Philbin | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0
Bill Rademacher | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0
Paul Rochester | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0
Bob Talamini | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0
Paul Crane | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | −38 | 0
Mike D'Amato | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
Winston Hill | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
Billy Joe | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
Bill Mathis | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
Joe Namath | 14 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
Jim Richards | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
George Sauer | 14 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
John Schmitt | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
Mark Smolinski | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
Bake Turner | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0
NYJ Totals | 14 |  | 0 | 19 | 25 | −27 | 0
Opp Totals | 14 |  |  | 29 | 14 |  |

| Sacks & Tackles

Player | G | GS | Sk | Tkl | Ast | Sfty
Paul Crane | 13 | 0 |  |  |  | 1
NYJ Totals | 14 |  |  |  |  | 1
Opp Totals | 14 |  | 18 |  |  |

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

*   * PI AFL-AFC Player of the Year
* Joe Namath, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "NFL Top 100 Teams". Pro Football Reference.
2. ^ "100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100–1 SUPERCUT". NFL.com.
3. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 283
4. ^ 1968 schedule
5. ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (October 10, 1993). "PRO FOOTBALL; 25 Seasons Ago, Namath Was a Star, but 'Heidi' Ruled the Airwaves". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
6. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 283
7. ^ He guaranteed it – Pro Football Hall of Fame

## External links

[edit]

* 1968 team stats

Preceded by

Oakland Raiders
1967

|  American Football League champion
1968 | Succeeded by

Kansas City Chiefs
1969

|
|

* v
* t
* e

Super Bowl champions

* I: Green Bay Packers
* II: Green Bay Packers
* III: New York Jets
* IV: Kansas City Chiefs
* V: Baltimore Colts
* VI: Dallas Cowboys
* VII: Miami Dolphins
* VIII: Miami Dolphins
* IX: Pittsburgh Steelers
* X: Pittsburgh Steelers
* XI: Oakland Raiders
* XII: Dallas Cowboys
* XIII: Pittsburgh Steelers
* XIV: Pittsburgh Steelers
* XV: Oakland Raiders
* XVI: San Francisco 49ers
* XVII: Washington Redskins
* XVIII: Los Angeles Raiders
* XIX: San Francisco 49ers
* XX: Chicago Bears
* XXI: New York Giants
* XXII: Washington Redskins
* XXIII: San Francisco 49ers
* XXIV: San Francisco 49ers
* XXV: New York Giants
* XXVI: Washington Redskins
* XXVII: Dallas Cowboys
* XXVIII: Dallas Cowboys
* XXIX: San Francisco 49ers
* XXX: Dallas Cowboys
* XXXI: Green Bay Packers
* XXXII: Denver Broncos
* XXXIII: Denver Broncos
* XXXIV: St. Louis Rams
* XXXV: Baltimore Ravens
* XXXVI: New England Patriots
* XXXVII: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* XXXVIII: New England Patriots
* XXXIX: New England Patriots
* XL: Pittsburgh Steelers
* XLI: Indianapolis Colts
* XLII: New York Giants
* XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers
* XLIV: New Orleans Saints
* XLV: Green Bay Packers
* XLVI: New York Giants
* XLVII: Baltimore Ravens
* XLVIII: Seattle Seahawks
* XLIX: New England Patriots
* 50: Denver Broncos
* LI: New England Patriots
* LII: Philadelphia Eagles
* LIII: New England Patriots
* LIV: Kansas City Chiefs
* LV: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* LVI: Los Angeles Rams
* LVII: Kansas City Chiefs
* LVIII: Kansas City Chiefs
* LIX: Philadelphia Eagles

* v
* t
* e

New York Jets

* Founded in 1960
* Formerly the New York Titans (1960–1962)
* Based in East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey

Franchise|

* Franchise
* History
* Seasons
* All-time roster
* Coaches
* Logos and uniforms
* First-round draft picks
* Quarterbacks
* Flight Crew

Stadiums|

* Polo Grounds
* Shea Stadium
* Giants Stadium
* MetLife Stadium
* West Side Stadium

Culture|

* Fireman Ed
* Alex Anthony
* Generation Jets
* Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story

Lore|

* Heidi Game
* The Guarantee
* Announcerless game
* New York Sack Exchange
* Clock Play
* The Monday Night Miracle
* Spygate
* Butt Fumble

Rivalries|

* Buffalo Bills
* Miami Dolphins
* New England Patriots
* New York Giants

Key personnel|

* Owner/chairman: Woody Johnson
* Owner/vice chairman: Christopher Johnson
* General manager: Darren Mougey
* Head coach: Aaron Glenn

Division championships (4)|

* 1968
* 1969
* 1998
* 2002

League championships (1)|

* 1968 (III)

Media|

* Broadcasters
* WAXQ
* WCBS-TV
* SportsNet New York

Current league affiliations|

* League: National Football League (1970–present)
* Conference: American Football Conference
* Division: East Division

Former league affiliation|

* League: American Football League (1960–1969)

* v
* t
* e

New York Jets seasons

Formerly the New York Titans (1960–1962)

* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
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* 2009
* 2010
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* 2013
* 2014
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* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
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* 2023
* 2024
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Bold indicates Super Bowl victory

* v
* t
* e

New York Jets Super Bowl III champions

* 11 Jim Turner
* 12 Joe Namath (MVP)
* 13 Don Maynard
* 15 Babe Parilli
* 22 Jim Hudson
* 23 Bill Rademacher
* 24 Johnny Sample
* 26 Jim Richards
* 29 Bake Turner
* 30 Mark Smolinski
* 31 Bill Mathis
* 32 Emerson Boozer
* 33 Curley Johnson
* 34 Lee White
* 35 Billy Joe
* 41 Matt Snell
* 42 Randy Beverly
* 43 John Dockery
* 45 Earl Christy
* 46 Bill Baird
* 47 Mike D'Amato
* 48 Cornell Gordon
* 50 Carl McAdams
* 51 Ralph Baker
* 52 John Schmitt
* 56 Paul Crane
* 60 Larry Grantham
* 61 Bob Talamini
* 62 Al Atkinson
* 63 John Neidert
* 66 Randy Rasmussen
* 67 Dave Herman
* 68 Michael Stromberg
* 70 Karl Henke
* 71 Sam Walton
* 72 Paul Rochester
* 74 Jeff Richardson
* 75 Winston Hill
* 80 John Elliott
* 81 Gerry Philbin
* 83 George Sauer
* 85 Steve Thompson
* 86 Verlon Biggs
* 87 Pete Lammons

* Head coach: Weeb Ewbank

* Coaches: Walt Michaels
* Clive Rush
* Buddy Ryan
* Joe Spencer

* v
* t
* e

1968 AFL season

| Eastern Division| Boston | Miami| Cincinnati| Kansas City | Western Division

|
|
|
|
|

Buffalo | New York| Denver| Oakland
Houston | | | San Diego

* 1968 AFL Draft
* AFL playoffs
* AFL Championship
* All-Star Game
* Super Bowl III

* Related: 1968 NFL season

*[G]: Offensive guard
*[T]: Ties
*[C]: Center
*[DE]: Defensive end
*[DT]: Defensive tackle
*[DE/DT]: Defensive end / defensive tackle
*[MLB]: Middle linebacker
*[OLB]: Outside linebacker
*[FS]: Free safety
*[CB]: Cornerback
*[SS]: Strong safety
*[FS/CB]: Free safety / cornerback
*[CB/S]: Cornerback / safety
*[K]: Kicker
*[RB]: Running back
*[Military]: Players under contract ordered to military service.
*[LB]: Linebacker
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[PCT]: Winning percentage
*[DIV]: Win–Loss record within their division
*[PF]: Points For (Total points scored)
*[PA]: Points Against (Total points allowed)
*[STK]: Currenfaggitt Winning or Losing Streak
*[v]: View this template
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