The 1985 New York Jets season was the 26th season for the team and the 16th in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 7–9 record from 1984 under head coach Joe Walton. Among quarterbacks, Ken O'Brien had the lowest rate of interceptions, with only eight interceptions in 488 passing attempts. The Jets finished the season with a record of 11–5, qualifying for the top Wild Card spot in the playoffs. On October 14, during a Monday Night Halftime ceremony, the Jets retired Joe Namath's number 12, and helped inspire the Jets to a 23–7 victory over the Dolphins. In the Wild Card round of the playoffs, they fell at home to the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots 26–14.
1985 New York Jets season | |
---|---|
Owner | Leon Hess |
General manager | Jim Kensil |
Head coach | Joe Walton |
Home field | Giants Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 11–5 |
Division place | 2nd AFC East |
Playoff finish | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Patriots) 14–26 |
Pro Bowlers | QB Ken O'Brien RB Freeman McNeil DT Joe Klecko DE Mark Gastineau LB Lance Mehl |
NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Just The Beginning; it was narrated by Jeff Kaye.
1985 New York Jets draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | Al Toon * | Wide receiver | Wisconsin | |
2 | 40 | Lester Lyles | Cornerback | Virginia | |
3 | 67 | Donnie Elder | Cornerback | Memphis State | |
4 | 94 | Doug Allen | Wide receiver | Arizona State | |
5 | 120 | Troy Benson | Linebacker | Pittsburgh | |
5 | 124 | Brian Luft | Defensive tackle | USC | |
5 | 134 | Tony Smith | Wide receiver | San Jose State | |
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
|
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 10 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 17–37 | 0–1 | Giants Stadium | 30,097 |
2 | August 17 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 20–24 | 0–2 | Riverfront Stadium | 40,371 |
3 | August 24 | at New York Giants | L 31–34 (OT) | 0–3 | Giants Stadium | 63,174 |
4 | August 31 | at Green Bay Packers | W 30–20 | 1–3 | Lambeau Field | 56,753 |
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 8 | at Los Angeles Raiders | L 0–31 | 0–1 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 57,123 | |
2 | September 15 | Buffalo Bills | W 42–3 | 1–1 | Giants Stadium | 63,449 | |
3 | September 22 | at Green Bay Packers | W 24–3 | 2–1 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 53,667 | |
4 | September 29 | Indianapolis Colts | W 25–20 | 3–1 | Giants Stadium | 61,987 | |
5 | October 6 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 29–20 | 4–1 | Riverfront Stadium | 51,785 | |
6 | October 14 | Miami Dolphins | W 23–7 | 5–1 | Giants Stadium | 73,807 | |
7 | October 20 | at New England Patriots | L 13–20 | 5–2 | Sullivan Stadium | 58,163 | |
8 | October 27 | Seattle Seahawks | W 17–14 | 6–2 | Giants Stadium | 69,320 | |
9 | November 3 | at Indianapolis Colts | W 35–17 | 7–2 | Hoosier Dome | 59,683 | |
10 | November 10 | at Miami Dolphins | L 17–21 | 7–3 | Miami Orange Bowl | 73,965 | |
11 | November 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 62–28 | 8–3 | Giants Stadium | 65,344 | |
12 | November 24 | New England Patriots | W 16–13 (OT) | 9—3 | Giants Stadium | 74,100 | |
13 | November 28 | at Detroit Lions | L 20–31 | 9–4 | Pontiac Silverdome | 65,531 | |
14 | December 8 | at Buffalo Bills | W 27–7 | 10–4 | Rich Stadium | 23,122 | |
15 | December 14 | Chicago Bears | L 6–19 | 10–5 | Giants Stadium | 74,752 | |
16 | December 22 | Cleveland Browns | W 37–10 | 11–5 | Giants Stadium | 59,073 | |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets (0–1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Raiders (1–0) | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, California
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NYJ | Passing | Ken O'Brien | 16/29, 192 YDS, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Freeman McNeil | 17 CAR, 44 YDS | |
Receiving | Mickey Shuler | 7 REC, 88 YDS | |
RAI | Passing | Jim Plunkett | 14/21, 242 YDS, 1 TD |
Rushing | Marcus Allen | 20 CAR, 76 YDS, 2 TDs | |
Receiving | Todd Christensen | 6 REC, 87 YDS |
Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jets | Game Statistics | Raiders |
---|---|---|
14 | First downs | 19 |
24–62 | Rushes–yards | 35–122 |
192 | Passing yards | 258 |
16–29–2 | Passes | 15–22–0 |
10–61 | Sacked–yards | 4–24 |
131 | Net passing yards | 234 |
193 | Total yards | 356 |
0 | Return yards | 125 |
7–43 | Punts | 4–37 |
1–0 | Fumbles–lost | 0–0 |
2–10 | Penalties–yards | 7–60 |
28:21 | Time of possession | 31:39 |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bills (0–2) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Jets (1–1) | 0 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
BUF | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bills | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets (2–1) | 7 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
Packers (1–2) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Milwaukee County Stadium • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
GB | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jets | Game Statistics | Packers |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colts (1–3) | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
Jets (3–1) | 6 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 25 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
IND | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Colts | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets (4–1) | 7 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 29 |
Bengals (1–4) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
at Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
CIN | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jets | Game Statistics | Bengals |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins (4–2) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Jets (5–1) | 0 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 23 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
MIA | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dolphins | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets (5–2) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
Patriots (4–3) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 20 |
at Sullivan Stadium • Foxboro, Massachusetts
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NYJ | Passing | Ken O'Brien | 15/31, 246 YDS, 1 INT |
Rushing | Johnny Hector | 21 CAR, 80 YDS | |
Receiving | Wesley Walker | 6 REC, 140 YDS | |
NE | Passing | Steve Grogan | 11/32, 171 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Craig James | 22 CAR, 94 YDS | |
Receiving | Stanley Morgan | 3 REC, 71 YDS |
Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jets | Game Statistics | Patriots |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seahawks (4–4) | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Jets (6–2) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
SEA | Passing | Dave Krieg | 9/20, 148 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Randall Morris | 23 CAR, 88 YDS | |
Receiving | Daryl Turner | 2 REC, 78 YDS, 1 TD | |
NYJ | Passing | Ken O'Brien | 13/25, 182 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
Rushing | Freeman McNeil | 22 CAR, 151 YDS | |
Receiving | Rocky Klever | 3 REC, 43 YDS |
Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seahawks | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets (7–2) | 14 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
Colts (3–6) | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
IND | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jets | Game Statistics | Colts |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets (7–3) | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
Dolphins (6–4) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
MIA | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jets | Game Statistics | Dolphins |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers (4–4) | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
Jets (8–3) | 17 | 24 | 14 | 7 | 62 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
TB | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Buccaneers | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patriots (8–4) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
Jets (9–3) | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NE | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Patriots | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets (9–4) | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
Lions (7–6) | 3 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Pontiac Silverdome • Pontiac, Michigan
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
DET | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jets | Game Statistics | Lions |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets (10–4) | 0 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
Bills (2–12) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
BUF | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jets | Game Statistics | Bills |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bears (14–1) | 3 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
Jets (10–5) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
CHI | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bears | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Browns (8–8) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Jets (11–5) | 10 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 37 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
CLE | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Browns | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |
AFC East | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Miami Dolphins(2) | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–2 | 9–3 | 428 | 320 | W7 |
New York Jets(4) | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 6–2 | 9–3 | 393 | 264 | W1 |
New England Patriots(5) | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 6–2 | 8–4 | 362 | 290 | W1 |
Indianapolis Colts | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–7 | 2–10 | 320 | 386 | W2 |
Buffalo Bills | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 1–7 | 2–12 | 200 | 381 | L6 |
Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Time | TV | Result | Record | Game Site | Attendance | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Card | December 28 | New England Patriots (5) | 4:00 p.m. EST | NBC | L 14–26 | 0–1 | Giants Stadium | 70,958 |
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patriots (12–5) | 3 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 26 |
Jets (11–6) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
NE | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
NYJ | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Patriots | Game Statistics | Jets |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Rushes–yards | ||
Passing yards | ||
Passes | ||
Sacked–yards | ||
Net passing yards | ||
Total yards | ||
Return yards | ||
Punts | ||
Fumbles–lost | ||
Penalties–yards | ||
Time of possession |