New York Jets Epic Moments

SI Staff | Dec 3, 2012

New York Jets Epic Moments

Jan. 12, 1969

Neil Leifer/SI

In one of the most famous games in sports history, quarterback Joe Namath, running back Matt Snell and an opportunistic defense lead the Jets to a 16-7 upset over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Namath throws for 206 yards, Snell rushes for 121 and the Jets force five Colts turnovers as the 8-year-old American Football League gains instant credibility.

Dec. 29, 1968

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Many Jets say the team really won the '68 world championship in a bitter 27-23 survival test over the Oakland Raiders in the AFL title game. With winds gusting more than 20 mph and the Shea Stadium grass all but gone, the Jets rally in the fourth quarter as Joe Namath hits Don Maynard with a six-yard TD pass for the winning points.

Oct. 23, 2000

Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

Thousands of fans who departed Giants Stadium and millions more who clicked off their TVs miss the greatest comeback in Jets history as New York rallies from a 30-7 fourth-quarter deficit to tie Miami and then win in overtime 40-37 on John Hall's 40-yard field goal. Vinny Testaverde throws five TD passes, including the tying score to a diving Jumbo Elliott on a tackle eligible play.

Jan. 2, 1965

AP

Jets owner Sonny Werblin signs Alabama All-America quarterback Joe Namath to an unprecedented $427,000, three-year contract. The deal helps bring credibility to the fledgling American Football League and starts to make the Jets and their charismatic rookie QB major players with the New York media.

Nov. 17, 1968

AP

History knows the Raiders' 43-32 comeback win over the Jets as the "Heidi Game" after NBC cut away from the game's final minute to televise the children's TV movie "Heidi." Hard to say who was more upset, Jets fans who missed Oakland's final two touchdowns or Jets players who were hit with 13 penalties costing 145 yards.