Today in 1980 - New York Jets vs Denver Broncos

Today in 1980, the New York Jets went to Mile High Stadium to take on the Denver Broncos in a Week 11 contest.

Denver got things started with a 20 yard field goal by Fred Steinfort.  New York answered with a 36 yard touchdown pass from Richard Todd to Wesley Walker.  The Jets led at the end of the first quarter 7-3.

New York added to its lead with a Pat Leahy 23 yard field goal.  Then Todd threw a 31 yard touchdown pass to Johnny “Lam” Jones.  Denver responded with a 22 yard touchdown pass from Craig Morton to Riley Odoms.  New York led at halftime 17-10.

Dave Preston provided the only score in the third quarter with a 3 yard touchdown run and the game was tied.

In the fourth quarter, Denver took its first lead since the first quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by Jon Keyworth.  The Jets tied the game again on a 1 yard touchdown run by Scott Dierking.  However, the Broncos took the lead for good on a 13 yard pass from Morton to Rick Upchurch.  The Denver Broncos beat the New York Jets 31-24.

For the Jets, Richard Todd passed 14-25 for 218 yards, with 2 touchdowns and an interception.  Lam Jones had 5 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.  Ken Schroy nabbed both Jets interceptions.

For the Broncos, Craig Morton passed 27-39 for 306 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Dave Preston had 10 rushes for 46 yards and a touchdown.  He also had 8 catches for 67 yards.  Haven Moses had 6 receptions for 90 yards.  Riley Odoms had 6 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.  Steve Foley had an interception.

The Jets went to 2-9 with the loss.  They finished the season at 4-12, fifth in the AFC East.  The Broncos went to 6-5.  They finished the season at 8-8, third in the AFC West.

Trivia

• This was Walt Michaels fourth season coaching the Jets.  He coached the team from 1977-82.
  
• Michaels was a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers in 1951, the Cleveland Browns from 1952-61, and the New York Jets in 1963.
  
• This was Red Miller’s last season coaching the Broncos.  He coached the team from 1977-80.
  
• Denver’s assistant special teams coach/defensive assistant that season was Bill Belichick.
  
• Denver’s offensive coordinator Rod Dowhower was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 1985-86.
  
• Denver’s defensive coordinator Joe Collier was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 1966-68.
  
• Jets guard Randy Rasmussen was the last member of the Super Bowl III champions still on the team.  He played for the Jets from 1967-81.
  
• Broncos’ quarterback Craig Morton, wide receiver Haven Moses, and defensive back Bill Thompson were the only three players who played before AFL/NFL merger in 1970.  Morton played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965-74.  He played for the New York Giants from 1974-76, before going to Denver in 1977, where he played the remainder of his career in 1982.  Moses played for the Buffalo Bills from 1968-72, before he was traded to Denver. He spent the rest of his career with the Broncos from 1972-81. Thompson played his entire career for the Broncos, from 1969-81.
  
• Morton passed for over 300 yards for the first time since 1970, when he passed for 349 yards with the Cowboys, spanking the Houston Oilers 52-10.

Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week, on November 15,

1969 – Buffalo 28 – Miami 3

1969 – Dallas 41 – Washington 28

1975 – Philadelphia 13 – New York Giants 10

1986 – Green Bay 31 – Tampa Bay 7

1986 – Miami 34 – Buffalo 24

1992 – Buffalo 26 – Miami 20

1997 – Dallas 17 - Washington 14

2003 – Oakland 28 – Minnesota 18

2003 – Green Bay 20 – Tampa Bay 13

2003 – Philadelphia 28 – New York Giants 10

2008 – Carolina 31 – Detroit 22

2008 – Dallas 14 – Washington 10

Game stats can be found on Pro-Football-Reference.com at New York Jets vs Denver Broncos - November 16, 1980.