The 1968 New York Jets season was the ninth season for the team in the American Football League (AFL), and the most successful season in franchise history. Trying to improve upon their 8–5–1 record of 1967, the Jets won the AFL Eastern Division with an 11–3 record. They defeated the defending champion Oakland Raiders, 27–23, in the AFL championship game, earning the right to play in Super Bowl III against the NFL champion Baltimore Colts. After fourth-year quarterback Joe Namath announced a "guarantee" of victory, the Jets defeated the heavily favored Colts, 16–7. The Jets did not appear in a semi-final playoff round again until 1983, and they have never returned to the Super Bowl; their ongoing drought of 57 complete seasons is the longest in NFL history. They and the New Orleans Saints are the only teams to have won their lone championship game.
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 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, 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.
|
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 – Game summary
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
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
| 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.
| 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
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
Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 7: at Houston Oilers
Week 7: New York Jets at Houston Oilers
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
Week 8: vs. Boston Patriots
Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 10: vs. Houston Oilers
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.[5]
| 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
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
Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 15: at Miami Dolphins
Week 15: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
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
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.[6]
| 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
In the franchise's first-ever postseason game, the Jets defeated the defending AFL champion Oakland Raiders 27-24 at Shea Stadium to claim the AFL title and advance to Super Bowl III. Joe Namath threw three touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Don 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.
1968 AFL Championship Game: Oakland Raiders at New York Jets – Game summary
at Shea Stadium • Flushing, New York
- Date:
- 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)
- [7]
| Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
| OAK
|
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
| NYJ
|
Passing |
|
|
| Rushing |
|
|
| Receiving |
|
|
Super Bowl III
The Guarantee
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.[8]
Scoring summary
- Point spread: Jets +18
- Over/under: 40.0 (under)
- Time of game:
| 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
- Passing: Namath – 17/28, 206 YDS; Parilli – 0/1, 0 YDS
- Rushing: Snell – 30 CAR, 121 YDS, 1 TD; Boozer – 10 CAR, 19 YDS; Mathis – 3 CAR, 2 YDS
- Receiving: Sauer – 8 REC, 133 YDS; Snell – 4 REC, 40 YDS; Mathis – 3 REC, 20 YDS; Lammons – 2 REC, 13 YDS
- Kickoff returns: Christy – 1 KR, 25 YDS
- Punt returns: Baird – 1 PR, 0 YDS
- Punting: Johnson – 4 PUNTS, 155 YDS
- Kicking: Turner – 1/1 PAT, 3/5 FG
- Interceptions: Beverly – 2 INT, 0 YDS; Hudson – 1 INT, 9 YDS; Sample – 1 INT, 0 YDS
- Jets Missed Field Goals: Turner 41, 42
| 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
|
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
- ^ 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.
- ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 283
- ^ Pro Football Reference; 1968 AFL Championship Game – Oakland Raiders at New York Jets – December 29, 1968
- ^ He guaranteed it – Pro Football Hall of Fame
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Super Bowl III – New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts – January 12, 1969
External links
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Formerly the New York Titans (1960–1962) |
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