1968 New York Jets season

American Football League season December 2024 March 2026 New York Jets 1968 11–3 1st AFL East Weeb Ewbank Weeb Ewbank Leon Hess Shea Stadium Won AFL Championship(vs. Raiders) 27–23Won Super Bowl III(vs. Colts) 16–7 MLB Al AtkinsonRDE Verlon BiggsHB Emerson BoozerRDT John ElliottRG Dave HermanLT Winston HillFL Don MaynardQB Joe NamathLDE Gerry PhilbinSE George SauerK Jim Turner Jets seasons 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.NFL Top 100 Teams https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nfl-top-100-teams.htm Pro Football Reference100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100–1 SUPERCUT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qzU600OwVc NFL.com 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 schemeNFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, 0-7611-2480-2, p. 283 Draft 1968 NFL/AFL draft 1968 New York Jets 1 17 Lee White RB Weber St yes 2 44 Steve Thompson DE Washington yes 3 72 Sam Walton OT East Texas St yes 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 yes 8 214 Karl Henke DT Tulsa Pick from HOU yes 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 yes 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 Personnel Staff 1968 New York Jets Majority Owner/Team President/CEO & Chairman – Leon Hess Vice President/board member/Minority Owner – Donald C. Lillis General manager – Weeb Ewbank "35"   Head Coach – Weeb Ewbank Offensive coordinator – Clive Rush Offensive line coach – Joe Spencer Defensive coordinator – Walt Michaels Defensive line coach – Buddy Ryan Roster New York Jets 1968 40 7 12 Joe Namath 15 Babe Parilli 32 Emerson Boozer 31 Bill Mathis 30 Mark Smolinski 41 Matt Snell 13 Don Maynard 23 Bill Rademacher 83 George Sauer Jr. 29 Bake Turner 87 Pete Lammons 67 Dave Herman American football G 75 Winston Hill T 66 Randy Rasmussen American football, born 1945 G 74 Jeff Richardson American football C/T 52 John Schmitt American football C 61 Bob Talamini G 71 Sam Walton American football y T 86 Verlon Biggs DE 80 John Elliott defensive lineman DT 50 Carl McAdams DE/DT 81 Gerry Philbin DE 72 Paul Rochester DT 85 Steve Thompson defensive tackle, born 1945 y DE 62 Al Atkinson MLB 51 Ralph Baker linebacker OLB 56 Paul Crane OLB 60 Larry Grantham OLB 63 John Neidert y MLB 46 Bill Baird American football FS 42 Randy Beverly CB 45 Earl Christy CB 47 Mike D'Amato y SS 43 John Dockery CB 48 Cornell Gordon FS/CB 22 Jim Hudson SS 26 Jim Richards American football y CB/S 24 Johnny Sample CB 33 Curley Johnson P/TE 11 Jim Turner placekicker K 35 Billy Joe American football RB IR 82 Gary Magner y no DE IR -- Paul Seiler C/T Military 68 Michael Stromberg LB IR 34 Lee White American football y RB IR -- Tony DiMidio T 73 Ray Hayes y no DT 70 Karl Henke American football y DE Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 August 12, 1968 at Houston Oilers L 14–28 0–1 Astrodome 40,354 Recap 2 August 17, 1968 Boston Patriots W 25–6 1–1 City Stadium 14,000 Recap 3 August 23, 1968 Atlanta Falcons W 27–12 2–1 Legion Field 27,406 Recap 4August 30, 1968 Cincinnati Bengals L 9–13 2–2 Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium 24,358 Recap 5 September 7, 1968 Detroit Lions W 9–6 3–2 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 84,918 Recap Regular season Regular season schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1Bye 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, AL1968 schedule 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 BroncosL 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 OilersW 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 51,175Recap 13 December 1 Miami Dolphins W 35–17 9–3 Shea Stadium 61,766Recap 14 December 8 Cincinnati Bengals W 27–14 10–3 Shea Stadium 61,111 Recap 15 December 15 at Miami DolphinsW 31–7 11–3 Orange Bowl 32,843 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Standings Game summaries Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; collapsed Week 2: New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary September 15, 1968 4:00 p.m. EDT Jets 7 10 0 3 Chiefs 3 7 3 6 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 48,871 71 F, relative humidity 57%, wind 12 mph on NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator) Box Score 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 Week 3: at Boston Patriots New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 3: New York Jets at Boston Patriots September 22, 1968 4:00 p.m. EDT Jets 14 6 17 10 Patriots 3 7 7 14 Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama 29,192 73 F, relative humidity 69%, wind 8 mph on NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator) Box Score 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 Week 4: at Buffalo Bills 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. New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 4: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills September 29, 1968 1:30 p.m. EDT Jets (2–1) 7 14 0 14 Bills (1–3) 10 10 3 14 War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, New York 38,044 53 F, relative humidity 71%, wind 7 mph on NBC Jim Simpson (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator) Box Score Jets Bills collapsed 1 Jets RecTD Sauer Namath 4 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 1 Bills FG 35 Alford 7 3 1 Bills RushTD Gregory 2 good Alford run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 10 2 Bills — — — Other Interception returned 100 yards for touchdown by Janik, Alford kick good 7 17 2 Jets RushTD Boozer 1 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 17 2 Bills FG 41 Alford 14 20 2 Jets RecTD Maynard Namath 55 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 20 3 Bills FG 37 Alford 21 23 4 Bills — — — Other Interception returned 53 yards for touchdown by Byrd, Alford kick good 21 30 4 Bills — — — Other Interception returned 45 yards for touchdown by Edgderson, Alford kick good 21 37 4 Jets RecTD Snell Namath 3 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 28 37 4 Jets RecTD Sauer Namath 10 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 35 37 35 37 Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers 1968 San Diego Chargers season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 5: San Diego Chargers at New York Jets October 5, 1968 8:00 p.m. EDT Chargers (3–1) 0 7 6 7 Jets (3–1) 3 6 7 7 Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York 63,786 53 F, relative humidity 48%, wind 15 mph on Box Score Chargers Jets collapsed 1 Jets FG 26 Turner 0 3 2 Chargers RecTD Alworth Hadl 7 good Partee run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 3 2 Jets FG 45 Turner 7 6 2 Jets FG 11 Turner 7 9 3 Jets RushTD Snell 1 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 16 3 Chargers RushTD Garrison 84 no good Partee run/pass good/failed/incomplete 13 16 4 Chargers RecTD Garrison Hadl 5 good Partee run/pass good/failed/incomplete 20 16 4 Jets RushTD Boozer 1 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 20 23 20 23 Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos 1968 Denver Broncos season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 6: Denver Broncos at New York Jets October 13, 1968 1:30 p.m. EDT Broncos (2–3) 7 7 7 0 Jets (3–2) 7 3 0 3 Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York 63,052 64 F, relative humidity 71%, wind 8 mph on NBC Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator) Box Score Broncos Jets collapsed 1 6:27 Jets RushTD Boozer 5 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 1:04 Broncos RushTD Lynch 4 good Howfield run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 7 2 8:56 Broncos RushTD Lynch 6 good Howfield run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 7 2 4:37 Jets FG 29 Turner 14 10 3 0:36 Broncos RecTD Crabtree Tensi 72 good Howfield run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 10 4 13:05 Jets FG 24 Turner 21 13 21 13 Week 7: at Houston Oilers 1968 Houston Oilers season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 7: New York Jets at Houston Oilers October 20, 1968 4:00 p.m. EDT Jets (4–2) 2 8 0 10 Oilers (2–5) 0 0 0 14 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 51,710 indoors (dome) NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator) Box Score Jets Oilers collapsed 1 Jets — — — SafetyOther Norton punt blocked through the end zone by Crane for a safety 2 0 2 Jets RushTD Namath 1 pass good, Namath to Mathis 10 0 4 Jets FG 12 Turner 13 0 4 Oilers RecTD Reed Trull 9 good Walker run/pass good/failed/incomplete 13 7 4 Oilers RecTD Beirne Trull 19 good Walker run/pass good/failed/incomplete 13 14 4 Jets RushTD Snell 2 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 20 14 20 14 Week 8: vs. Boston Patriots 1968 Boston Patriots season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 8: Boston Patriots at New York Jets October 27, 1968 1:30 p.m. EST Patriots (3–4) 0 0 0 14 Jets (5–2) 7 3 10 28 Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York 62,351 50 F, relative humidity 48%, wind 16 mph on NBC Jim Simpson (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator) Box Score Patriots Jets collapsed 1 Jets RushTD Snell 2 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 2 Jets FG 12 Turner 0 10 3 Jets FG 23 Turner 0 13 3 Jets RushTD Snell 1 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 20 4 Jets RushTD Parilli 2 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 27 4 Jets RushTD Joe 7 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 34 4 Jets RushTD Joe 15 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 41 2 Patriots RecTD Whalen Sherman 87 good Cappelletti run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 41 4 Jets RushTD Joe 32 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 48 4 Patriots RecTD Scarpitto Sherman 33 good Cappelletti run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 48 14 48 Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills 1968 Buffalo Bills season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 9: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets November 3, 1968 1:30 p.m. EST Bills (1–7–1) 7 0 0 14 Jets (6–2) 3 13 3 6 Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York 61,452 58 F, relative humidity 48%, wind 8 mph on NBC Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator) Box Score Bills Jets collapsed 1 Bills RecTD Moses Stephenson 55 good Alford run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 1 Jets FG 32 Turner 7 3 2 Jets — — — Other Interception returned 36 yards for touchdown by Sample, Turner kick good 7 10 2 Jets FG 9 Turner 7 13 2 Jets FG 32 Turner 7 16 3 Jets FG 27 Turner 7 19 4 Bills RecTD Costa Stephenson 10 good Alford run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 19 4 Bills — — — Other Punt returned 82 yards for touchdown by Clarke, Alford kick good 21 19 4 Jets FG 35 Turner 21 22 4 Jets FG 21 Turner 21 25 21 25 Week 10: vs. Houston Oilers 1968 Houston Oilers season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 10: Houston Oilers at New York Jets November 10, 1968 1:30 p.m. EST Oilers (4–6) 7 0 0 0 Jets (7–2) 13 3 7 3 Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York 60,242 42 F, relative humidity 81%, wind 17 mph on NBC Bill Enis (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator) Box Score Oilers Jets collapsed 1 Jets RushTD Mathis 2 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 Jets FG 14 Turner 0 10 1 Jets FG 32 Turner 0 13 1 Oilers RushTD Granger 47 good Walker run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 13 2 Jets FG 28 Turner 7 16 3 Jets RushTD Mathis 1 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 23 4 Jets FG 21 Turner 7 26 7 26 Week 11 at Oakland Raiders Heidi Game 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.Eskenazi Gerald PRO FOOTBALL; 25 Seasons Ago, Namath Was a Star, but 'Heidi' Ruled the Airwaves The New York Times 1993-10-10 https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/10/sports/pro-football-25-seasons-ago-namath-was-a-star-but-heidi-ruled-the-airwaves.html 2025-03-07 New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 11: New York Jets at Oakland Raiders November 17, 1968 4:00 p.m. EST Jets (7–3) 6 6 7 13 Raiders (8–2) 7 7 8 21 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California 53,318 60 F, relative humidity 0%, wind 0 mph on, wind chill 0 F Bob Finley NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator) Box Score NYJ OAK collapsed 1 7:42 Jets FG 44 Turner 3 0 1 5:23 Jets FG 18 Turner 6 0 1 2:32 Raiders RecTD Wells Lamonica 9 good Blanda run/pass good/failed/incomplete 6 7 2 13:34 Raiders RecTD Cannon Lamonica 48 good Blanda run/pass good/failed/incomplete 6 14 2 0:05 Jets RushTD Namath 1 pass failed 12 14 3 9:59 Jets RushTD Mathis 4 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 19 14 3 1:46 Raiders RushTD Smith 3 pass good 19 22 4 14:15 Jets RecTD Maynard Namath 50 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 26 22 4 8:49 Jets FG 12 Turner 29 22 4 3:10 Raiders RecTD Biletnikoff Lamonica 22 good Blanda run/pass good/failed/incomplete 29 29 4 1:05 Jets FG 26 Turner 32 29 4 0:42 Raiders RecTD Smith Lamonica 43 good Blanda run/pass good/failed/incomplete 32 36 4 0:33 Raiders FumbleTD Ridlehuber 2 good Blanda run/pass good/failed/incomplete 32 43 32 43 Week 12: at San Diego Chargers 1968 San Diego Chargers season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 12: New York Jets at San Diego Chargers November 24, 1968 4:00 p.m. EST Jets (8–3) 10 17 3 7 Chargers (8–3) 0 7 0 8 San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California 51,175 60 F, relative humidity 87%, wind 6 mph on NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator) Box Score Jets Chargers collapsed 1 Jets FG 13 Turner 3 0 1 Jets RecTD Maynard Namath 87 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 0 2 Jets RushTD Snell 3 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 0 2 Jets FG 20 Turner 20 0 2 Chargers — — — Other Duncan 95-yard punt return for a touchdown, Partee kick good 20 7 2 Jets RecTD Mathis Namath 19 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 27 7 3 Jets FG 30 Turner 30 7 4 Jets RushTD Mathis 1 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 37 7 4 Chargers RecTD MacKinnon Hadl 3 pass good, Hadl to MacKinnon 37 15 37 15 Week 13: vs. Miami Dolphins 1968 Miami Dolphins season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 13: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets December 1, 1968 1:30 p.m. EST Dolphins (4–7–1) 0 10 0 7 Jets (9–3) 0 14 0 21 Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York 61,766 36 F, relative humidity 57%, wind 8 mph on, wind chill 30 F Bob Finley NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator) Box Score Dolphins Jets collapsed 2 13:24 Dolphins 12 72 FG 15 Keyes 3 0 2 5:26 Jets 5 77 RecTD Maynard Namath 54 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 7 2 3:08 Jets 2 9 RecTD Lammons Namath 5 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 14 2 0:26 Dolphins 10 80 RecTD Milton Griese 38 good Keyes run/pass good/failed/incomplete 10 14 4 11:04 Dolphins 17 86 RushTD Kiick 1 good Keyes run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 14 4 8:44 Jets 7 74 RecTD Maynard Parilli 47 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 21 4 8:02 Jets 3 75 RecTD Maynard Parilli 25 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 28 4 2:54 Jets 6 59 RecTD Turner Parilli 40 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 35 17 35 Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals 1968 Cincinnati Bengals season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets December 8, 1968 1:30 p.m. EST Bengals (3–11) 0 7 0 7 Jets (10–3) 14 3 3 7 Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York 61,111 33 F, relative humidity 50%, wind 17 mph on, wind chill 22 F NBC Charlie Jones (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis (color commentator) Box Score Bengals Jets collapsed 1 Jets RecTD Sauer Namath 10 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 Jets RecTD Maynard Namath 12 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 14 2 Bengals RushTD Robinson 14 good Sherman run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 14 2 Jets FG 35 Turner 7 17 3 Jets FG 22 Turner 7 20 4 Bengals — — — Other Fumble returned 0 yards for a touchdown by Griffin, Sherman kick good 14 20 4 Jets RecTD Turner Parilli 34 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 27 14 27 Week 15: at Miami Dolphins 1968 Miami Dolphins season New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; autocollapse Week 15: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins December 15, 1968 1:30 p.m. EST Jets (11–3) 10 7 7 7 Dolphins (5–8–1) 0 7 0 0 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 32,843 57 F, relative humidity 56%, wind 17 mph on NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator) Box Score Jets Dolphins collapsed 1 6:37 Jets 3 80 RushTD Snell 6 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 1 0:48 Jets 6 33 FG 49 Turner 10 0 2 8:57 Jets 5 14 RushTD Boozer 1 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 0 2 1:20 Dolphins 5 9 RushTD Csonka 1 good Moreau run/pass good/failed/incomplete 17 7 3 9:07 Jets 9 82 RecTD Lammons Parilli 3 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 24 7 4 2:47 Jets 10 58 RushTD Mathis 2 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 31 7 31 7 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.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, 0-7611-2480-2, p. 283 Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance RecapAFL Championship December 29, 1968 Oakland Raiders W 27–23 1–0 Shea Stadium 62,627 RecapSuper Bowl III January 12, 1969 Baltimore ColtsW 16–7 2–0 Orange Bowl 75,402 Recap AFL Championship 1968 American Football League Championship Game 1968 Oakland Raiders season In the franchise's first-ever postseason game, the Jets defeated the defending AFL champion Oakland Raiders 27-23 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. New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; collapsed 1968 AFL Championship Game: Oakland Raiders at New York Jets – Game summary December 29, 1968 Sunday 1:00 p.m. EST Raiders (13–3) 0 10 3 10 Jets (12–3) 10 3 7 7 Shea Stadium • Flushing, New York 62,627 42 F, relative humidity 51%, wind 18 mph on Walt Fitzgerald NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Kyle Rote (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; 1968 AFL Championship Game – Oakland Raiders at New York Jets – December 29, 1968 right Oakland Raiders OAK New York Jets NYJ Raiders Jets collapsed 1 Jets RecTD Maynard Namath 14 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 Jets FG 33 Turner 0 10 2 Raiders RecTD Biletnikoff Lamonica 29 good Blanda run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 10 2 Jets FG 36 Turner 7 13 2 Raiders FG 26 Blanda 10 13 3 Raiders FG 9 Blanda 13 13 3 Jets RecTD Lammons Namath 20 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 13 20 4 Raiders FG 20 Blanda 16 20 4 Raiders RushTD Banaszak 4 good Blanda run/pass good/failed/incomplete 23 20 4 Jets RecTD Maynard Namath 6 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 23 27 23 27 Super Bowl III Super Bowl III 1968 Baltimore Colts season The Guarantee 250px|thumb|right|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.He guaranteed it – Pro Football Hall of Fame Scoring summary New York Jets 63thru77 1968 2; text-align:center; collapsed Super Bowl III: New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts – Game summary January 12, 1969 Sunday 3:05 p.m. EST Jets (13–3) 0 7 6 3 Colts (15–2) 0 0 0 7 Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida 75,389 73 °F °C, overcast, windy, 20% chance of rain, wind 12 mph on Tom Bell NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), Al DeRogatis and Kyle Rote (color commentators), Jim Simpson (sideline reporter) Pro Football Reference; Super Bowl III – New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts – January 12, 1969 right New York Jets NYJ Baltimore Colts BAL Joe Namath 17/28, 206 YDS Matt Snell 30 CAR, 121 YDS, 1 TD George Sauer 8 REC, 133 YDS Johnny Unitas 11/24, 110 YDS, 1 INT Tom Matte 11 CAR, 116 YDS Willie Richardson 6 REC, 58 YDS Jets Colts collapsed 2 9:03 Jets 12 80 5:06 RushTD Snell 4 good Turner run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 3 10:08 Jets 8 8 4:17 FG 32 Turner 10 0 3 3:58 Jets 10 45 4:06 FG 30 Turner 13 0 4 13:26 Jets 7 61 3:58 FG 9 Turner 16 0 4 3:19 Colts 14 80 3:15 RushTD Hill 1 good Michaels run/pass good/failed/incomplete 16 7 16 7 Point spread: Jets +18 Over/under: 40.0 (under) Time of game: JetsGame statisticsColts21 First downs 1843–142 Rushes–yards 23–143206 Passing yards 18117–29–0 Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions 17–41–42–11 Sacked–yards 0–0195 Net passing yards 181337 Total yards 32434 Return yards 1394–38.8 Punts Number–Average yardage 3–44.31–1 Fumbles–lost 1–15–28 Penalties–yards 3–2336:10 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 Media RadioFlagship StationPlay-by-playColor CommentatorStudio HostWABC–AM 770Merle HarmonSam DeLuca Pre season Local TVFlagship StationPlay-by-playColor CommentatorWOR-TV 9 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 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 External links 1968 team stats American Football League champion 1968 Oakland Raiders1967 Kansas City Chiefs1969 Category:New York Jets seasons Category:Super Bowl champion seasons Category:American Football League championship seasons New York Jets New York Jets Category:1960s in Queens