New York Jets
The New York Jets: a charter AFL franchise that won Super Bowl III but has not returned to the Super Bowl since.
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at MetLife Stadium (which it shares with the New York Giants) at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, west of New York City. The team is headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey. The franchise is legally organized as a limited liability company under the name New York Jets, LLC.
- Division
- AFC East
- First Meeting
- September 17, 1960
- Rivalry Status
- Active
- All-Time Record
- Patriots lead 77–56–1
- Playoff Meetings
- 3 (Patriots lead 2–1)
- Only Tie Date
- October 2, 1966
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The team was founded in 1959 as the Titans of New York, a charter member of the American Football League (AFL); the franchise joined the NFL in the AFL–NFL merger. The team began play in 1960 at the Polo Grounds in upper Manhattan. Under new ownership, the current name was adopted in 1963 and the franchise moved to Shea Stadium in Queens in 1964, then to the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey in 1984. The Jets advanced to the AFL playoffs for the first time in 1968 and went on to compete in Super Bowl III where they defeated the Baltimore Colts, becoming the first AFL team to defeat an NFL club in an AFL–NFL World Championship Game. The Jets have never returned to the Super Bowl. Since 1970 the Jets have won the AFC East only twice, in 1998 and 2002. They have qualified for the postseason 12 times, and reached the AFC Championship Game four times, most recently losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010. The Jets have not qualified for the playoffs since then, and currently hold the longest active playoff drought in the NFL and the longest drought in the 'Big 4' North American sports leagues.
In Their Own Story
The 1970s saw dramatic swings and infamous moments. On October 18, 1976, Monday Night Football at Schaefer Stadium devolved into 'Monday Night Madness' as drunken fans were cuffed to fences by police. The Patriots dominated 41–7 with 330 rushing yards and five touchdowns from a trio of runners and Steve Grogan, who also recovered a fumble for a score. Later that year, on November 21, Mike Haynes intercepted Joe Namath three times and returned two for touchdowns in a 38–24 blowout. The tension peaked on October 29, 1978, when the Patriots scored 55 points; Jets coach Walt Michaels accused New England of decoding his signals, stating, 'I know what they did, but by the time we figured it out, it was too late.' In 1979, Steve Grogan set a franchise record with five touchdown passes in a 56–3 win, followed by a locker room scuffle between Raymond Clayborn and writer Will McDonough.
Reader's Guide
The Jets' team colors are green and white, although they have at times used black as a third/trim color and have had a black alternate uniform since 2019. For most of their history the Jets had white helmets with green stripes and oval or football-shaped logos, and color-inverted jersey sleeves; the current primary uniforms are based on the design used from 1978 to 1989 with simpler striping, green helmets, and a wordmark logo in stylized italic lettering with a jet-plane silhouette above the letters.
Did You Know?
- The Jets were originally named the Titans of New York; the name was changed to the Jets in 1963.
- The Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, becoming the first AFL team to beat an NFL club in an AFL–NFL World Championship Game.
- The Jets have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL and the longest drought in the 'Big 4' North American sports leagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the New York Jets in relation to the Patriots?
The New York Jets are the Patriots' most intense divisional rival within the AFC East, representing a fierce battle for regional supremacy between Boston and New York. Their history dates back to 1960 when they were known as the Titans of New York, establishing one of the NFL's oldest continuous feuds.
What is the significance of the Jets-Patriots rivalry?
This matchup symbolizes a clash between Boston's blue-collar resilience and New York's high-stakes media pressure, often serving as a barometer for which franchise holds regional dominance. The intensity stems from decades of intertwined fortunes where one team's rise frequently coincided with the other's struggles.
When did this rivalry begin?
The conflict originated in 1960 during the Jets' inaugural season as the Titans of New York, long before they officially adopted their current name. This early start cemented a decades-long antagonism that has evolved through various eras of both franchises.
Which coaching era defined this rivalry?
The most memorable chapter occurred during the overlapping tenures of Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells, where strategic mastery and personal history fueled an unprecedented level of on-field hostility. This period transformed a standard divisional game into a high-stakes grudge match defined by betrayal and tactical warfare.
Is this rivalry still active today?
Yes, the feud remains a central fixture of the AFC East schedule, continuing to generate intense competition regardless of current roster standings. Every meeting between these two teams is treated as a critical battle for divisional bragging rights and historical legacy.
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