Although the New York Jets’ most glorious win, Super Bowl III, happened in the 1960s, they still command the unswerving loyalty of their fans, including Adam Sandler and Larry David, and their games are some of the best entertainment in New York. You’ll get a thrill from rooting on the squad alongside other diehard Jets fans at the green-lit MetLife Stadium as they dig in and fight for every gritty, hard-won first down against rivals like the New England Patriots. Jets tickets aren’t too expensive, so make sure you snag them before they’re too late.
Following some shaky early years both in the game and at the bank, the Jets headed to Super Bowl III to face the then-Baltimore Colts in the 1968-1969 postseason. Analysts predicted an easy win for the Colts with an 18-point margin, but the Jets’ beloved quarterback Joe Namath publicly guaranteed a Jets win and then marched his underdog Gang Green to victory with just 1 touchdown and 3 field goals. Jets and Colts fans went wild and became sick to their stomachs, respectively. This marked the first championship triumph of an AFL team over an NFL team after the historic league merger agreement, legitimizing AFL teams as equals to NFL teams. The Jets enjoyed a few more successful seasons led by Broadway Joe Namath, until injuries cut his career and the Jets’ prospects short.
Though the Jets have not returned to the Super Bowl since the glory days of 1969, they have experienced moderate success in the regular season and postseason. With skilled players like Wayne Chrebet, Wesley Walker, and Joe Klecko and the other members of the New York Sack Exchange, the Jets have maintained their competitive edge and spirited rivalries with the likes of the Patriots and the New York Giants. The Jets and Patriots have each knocked each other out of the playoffs, and coach swapping, including the Jets-to-Patriots ship-jump by coach Bill Belichick, have only intensified their opposition. The Giants pose a more complex adversary. The Jets, originally dubbed the Titans, have struggled since their 1957 founding to get out from under the shadow of the Giants, their “big brother” intracity rivals. Now that the Jets and Giants are equal partners in Metlife Stadium, the big brother-little brother dynamic has shifted, and the Jets have more cred.
After last year’s difficult season and a 5-11 record, fans are eager to see what kind of damage Gang Green can inflict this season. Jets fans have an eye out for their rising all-star- hopeful and number 3 draft pick Sam Darnold, but with 2 other quarterback choices in Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, the Jets are not putting all their QB eggs in one basket. Newcomers like cornerback Trumaine Johnson join returning Jets players like defensive end Leonard Williams and aggressive safety tandem Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye to build what fans hope will be a formidable force. With so many stars and jetsetters on the field, your game plan is clear: head to MetLife Stadium and watch the Jets score touchdowns. Afterward, grab a bite to eat in New York’s finest dining establishments or take part in one of New York City’s many things to do.
Originally called the New York Titans, the Jets were founded on August 14, 1959.
The Jets have only ever played in one Super Bowl, which they won in 1969.
Without question, the New England Patriots are the Jets biggest rivals. The two teams have faced one another over 120 times.
The most iconic moment in Jets history is their Super Bowl III victory in 1969. Widely regarded as underdogs, Jets quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed a victory in the days leading up to the big game.