1980 New York Jets season

The 1980 New York Jets season was the 21st season for the franchise and its eleventh in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 8–8 record from 1979 under head coach Walt Michaels, and being widely predicted to improve further and reach the postseason for the first time since 1969.[1] The Jets finished the season with a record of 4–12.

1980 New York Jets season
OwnerLeon Hess
Head coachWalt Michaels
Home fieldShea Stadium
Results
Record4–12
Division place5th AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersT Marvin Powell

During the season, the Jets were the only team to lose to the notorious New Orleans Saints team, dubbed the “Aints”. On a day with a wind-chill temperature of 5 °F (−15 °C) and kicking with a gale of 46 miles per hour (74 km/h; 40 kn), the Jets failed to hold on to a 13–7 lead after three quarters,[2] losing by a single point, 21–20.

History repeated itself 11 years later, when the Jets lost 28–27 at home to the Indianapolis Colts, the Colts’ lone victory of that season.

Offseason

Draft

1980 New York Jets draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
12Lam Jones Wide receiverTexasfrom San Francisco
240Darrol Ray SafetyOklahoma
247Ralph Clayton Wide receiverMichigan
369Lance Mehl * LinebackerPenn State
495Jesse Johnson Defensive backColorado
5123Jim Zidd LinebackerKansas
6149George Visger Defensive tackleColorado
6152Tom Schremp Defensive endWisconsin
7178Bob Batton Running backUNLV
7190Bennie Leverett Running backBethune–Cookman
8205Jeff Dziama LinebackerBoston College
9234Joe Peters Defensive tackleArizona State
10260Guy Bingham CenterMontana
11290James Zachery LinebackerTexas A&M
12317David Dumars Defensive backNortheast Louisiana
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[3]

Undrafted free agents

1980 Undrafted Free Agents of note
PlayerPositionCollege
Ben BottoneLinebackerRhode Island
Brian DohertyRunning backHoly Cross
Ed GallagherTacklePittsburgh
Mike GayTackleKansas

Personnel

Staff

1980 New York Jets staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • John Mazur – Defensive coordinator
  • Dan Sekanovich – Defensive line
  • Joe Gardi – Linebackers/special teams



Roster

1980 New York Jets final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1September 7Baltimore ColtsL 14–170–1Shea Stadium50,777
2September 14at Buffalo BillsL 10–200–2Rich Stadium65,315
3September 21San Francisco 49ersL 27–370–3Shea Stadium50,608
4September 28at Baltimore ColtsL 21–350–4Memorial Stadium33,373
5October 5New England PatriotsL 11–210–5Shea Stadium53,604
6October 12at Atlanta FalconsW 14–71–5Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium57,458
7October 19Seattle SeahawksL 17–271–6Shea Stadium52,496
8October 27Miami DolphinsW 17–142–6Shea Stadium53,046
9November 2at New England PatriotsL 21–342–7Schaefer Stadium60,834
10November 9Buffalo BillsL 24–312–8Shea Stadium45,677
11November 16at Denver BroncosL 24–312–9Mile High Stadium72,114
12November 23Houston OilersW 31–28 (OT)3–9Shea Stadium52,358
13November 30at Los Angeles RamsL 13–383–10Anaheim Stadium59,743
14December 7at Cleveland BrownsL 14–173–11Cleveland Municipal Stadium78,454
15December 14New Orleans SaintsL 20–213–12Shea Stadium38,077
16December 20at Miami DolphinsW 24–174–12Miami Orange Bowl41,854
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

AFC East
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Buffalo Bills(3)1150.6884–48–4320260W1
New England Patriots1060.6256–29–3441325W2
Miami Dolphins880.5003–54–8266305L1
Baltimore Colts790.4385–36–8355387L3
New York Jets4120.2502–63–9302395W1

Season summary

Week 1 vs Colts

Week 2 at Bills

Week Two: New York Jets (0–1) at Buffalo Bills (1–0)
Period1234Total
Jets300710
Bills01010020

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

References


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