1985 New York Jets season

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
← 1984 Jets seasons 1986 →

The Jets playing against the New England Patriots in week 7

NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Just The Beginning; it was narrated by Jeff Kaye.

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 1985 NFL Draft

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

Personnel

Staff

1985 New York Jets staff

Front office Owner – Leon Hess President/general manager – Jim Kensil Head coaches Head coach – Joe Walton Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Rich Kotite Quarterbacks – Zeke Bratkowski Running backs – Bobby Hammond Offensive line – Bill Austin

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Bud Carson Linebackers – Dan Radakovich Linebackers – Mike Faulkiner Special teams coaches Special teams – Larry Pasquale

Roster

1985 New York Jets roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  7 Ken O'Brien 10 Pat Ryan Running backs (RB) 31 Marion Barber Jr. 23 Dennis Bligen 34 Johnny Hector 24 Freeman McNeil 49 Tony Paige FB Wide receivers (WR) 22 Nick Bruckner 88 Chy Davidson 84 Bobby Humphery 87 Kurt Sohn 88 Al Toon 85 Wesley Walker Tight ends (TE) 81 Billy Griggs 89 Rocky Klever 82 Mickey Shuler

Offensive linemen (OL) 60 Dan Alexander T 63 Ted Banker G 64 Guy Bingham C 65 Joe Fields G 68 Reggie McElroy T 66 Billy Shields T 53 Jim Sweeney C Defensive linemen (DL) 95 Tom Baldwin DT 78 Barry Bennett DE 74 Ron Faurot DE 99 Mark Gastineau DE 73 Joe Klecko DT 93 Marty Lyons DE 76 Ben Rudolph DT

Linebackers (LB) 59 Kyle Clifton 50 Bob Crable 52 Jim Eliopulos 56 Lance Mehl 57 John Woodring Defensive backs (DB) 27 Russell Carter CB 35 Kerry Glenn CB 39 Harry Hamilton FS 28 Carl Howard CB 48 Bobby Humphery CB 40 Bobby Jackson CB 26 Lester Lyles SS 29 Johnny Lynn CB 20 Davlin Mullen CB 21 Kirk Springs SS Special teams 13 Dave Jennings P  5 Pat Leahy K

Reserve 54 Troy Benson OLB (IR) 94 Rusty Guilbeau LB (IR) 80 Lam Jones WR (IR) Rookies in italics

Pre season

Schedule

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

Preseason Game summaries

Week P1 (Saturday, August 10, 1985): vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week P2 (Saturday, August 17, 1985): at Cincinnati Bengals

Week P3 (Saturday, August 24, 1985): at New York Giants

Week P4 (Saturday, August 31, 1985): at Green Bay Packers

Regular season

Schedule

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.

Regular Season Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 8, 1985): at Los Angeles Raiders

^[1]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets (0–1)	0	0	0	0	0
Raiders (1–0)	7	14	7	3	31

Week 1: New York Jets at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, California

• Date: September 8, 1985
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 57,123
• Referee: Tom Dooley
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
• ^[2]

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

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ RAI 1 1:13 Raiders Allen 1-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick good 0 7 2 12:10 Raiders Williams 41-yard touchdown reception from Plunkett, Bahr kick good 0 14 2 5:08 Raiders Allen 3-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick good 0 21 3 11:38 — — — Raiders Interception returned 76 yards for touchdown by Toran, Bahr kick good 0 28 4 8:29 Raiders 20-yard field goal by Bahr 0 31 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 0 31

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 2 (Sunday, September 15, 1985): vs. Buffalo Bills

^[3]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills (0–2)	3	0	0	0	3
Jets (1–1)	0	21	14	7	42

Week 2: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: September 15, 1985
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 63,449
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
• ^[4]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BUF	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP BUF NYJ "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 3 42

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 3 (Sunday, September 22, 1985): at Green Bay Packers

^[5]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets (2–1)	7	0	10	7	24
Packers (1–2)	3	0	0	0	3

Week 3: New York Jets at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

at Milwaukee County Stadium • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Date: September 22, 1985
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 53,667
• Referee: Bob Frederic
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
• ^[6]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
GB	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ GB "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 3

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 4 (Sunday, September 29, 1985): vs. Indianapolis Colts

^[7]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts (1–3)	0	10	7	3	20
Jets (3–1)	6	12	7	0	25

Week 4: Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: September 29, 1985
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 61,987
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
• ^[8]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
IND	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP IND NYJ "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 25

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 5 (Sunday, October 6, 1985): at Cincinnati Bengals

^[9]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets (4–1)	7	7	12	3	29
Bengals (1–4)	7	6	0	7	20

Week 5: New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

at Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio

• Date: October 6, 1985
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 51,785
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
• ^[10]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
CIN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ CIN "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 29 20

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 6 (Monday, October 14, 1985): vs. Miami Dolphins

^[11]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins (4–2)	0	0	7	0	7
Jets (5–1)	0	6	10	7	23

Week 6: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: October 14, 1985
• Game time: 9:06 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Cloudy & Foggy • 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind SE 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
• Game attendance: 73,807
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play), Joe Namath (color commentator) and O. J. Simpson (color commentator)
• ^[12]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
MIA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP MIA NYJ "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 7 23

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 2 hours, 45 minutes

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

Week 7 (Sunday, October 20, 1985): at New England Patriots

^[13]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets (5–2)	0	3	3	7	13
Patriots (4–3)	3	3	0	14	20

Week 7: New York Jets at New England Patriots – Game summary

at Sullivan Stadium • Foxboro, Massachusetts

• Date: October 20, 1985
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Cloudy • 54 °F (12 °C) • Wind NNW 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
• Game attendance: 58,163
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
• ^[14]

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

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ NE 1 1:56 Patriots 19-yard field goal by Franklin 0 3 2 9:30 Patriots 53-yard field goal by Leahy 3 3 2 2:37 Patriots 44-yard field goal by Franklin 3 6 3 5:48 Patriots 52-yard field goal by Leahy 6 6 4 10:22 Patriots Fryar 36-yard touchdown reception from Grogan, Franklin kick good 6 13 4 6:50 Jets Paige 2-yard touchdown run, Leahy kick good 13 13 4 3:27 Patriots Grogan 3-yard touchdown run, Franklin kick good 13 20 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 20

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 4 minutes

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

Week 8 (Sunday, October 27, 1985): vs. Seattle Seahawks

^[15]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks (4–4)	0	14	0	0	14
Jets (6–2)	0	0	7	10	17

Week 8: Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: October 27, 1985
• Game time: 1:01 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny • 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind SW 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn) to 16 miles per hour (26 km/h; 14 kn)
• Game attendance: 69,320
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
• ^[16]Gamebook

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

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP SEA NYJ 2 9:08 6 80 2:26 Seahawks Turner 45-yard touchdown reception from Krieg, Johnson kick good 7 0 2 0:46 — — — Seahawks Fumble recovery returned 79 yards for touchdown by Green, Johnson kick good 14 0 3 4:10 9 69 6:02 Jets McNeil 16-yard touchdown reception from O'Brien, Leahy kick good 14 7 4 12:47 3 2 1:28 Jets 41-yard field goal by Leahy 14 10 4 5:11 7 91 4:02 Jets Walker 15-yard touchdown reception from O'Brien, Pat Leahy kick good 14 17 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 17

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 15 minutes

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

Week 9 (Sunday, November 3, 1985): at Indianapolis Colts

^[17]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets (7–2)	14	21	0	0	35
Colts (3–6)	0	3	7	7	17

Week 9: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary

at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana

• Date: November 3, 1985
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 59,483
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
• ^[18]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
IND	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ IND "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 35 17

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 10 (Sunday, November 10, 1985): at Miami Dolphins

^[19]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets (7–3)	0	3	7	7	17
Dolphins (6–4)	0	7	7	7	21

Week 10: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

at Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida

• Date: November 10, 1985
• Game time: 4:01 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Mostly Sunny • 84 °F (29 °C) • Wind E 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn)
• Game attendance: 73,965
• Referee: Bob McElwee
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
• ^[20]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
MIA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ MIA "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 21

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 11 (Sunday, November 17, 1985): vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

^[21]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers (4–4)	14	7	7	0	28
Jets (8–3)	17	24	14	7	62

Week 11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: November 17, 1985
• Game time: 1:16 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Partly Sunny • 59 °F (15 °C) • Wind NW 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
• Game attendance: 65,344
• Referee: Gordon McCarter
• TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play) and Terry Bradshaw (color commentator)
• ^[22]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
TB	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP TB NYJ "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 28 62

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 29 minutes

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

Week 12 (Sunday, November 24, 1985): vs. New England Patriots

^[23]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Patriots (8–4)	0	3	0	10	0	13
Jets (9–3)	6	0	7	0	3	16

Week 12: New England Patriots at New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: November 24, 1985
• Game time: 1:01 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Sunny • 53 °F (12 °C) • Wind NW 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn) to 22 miles per hour (35 km/h; 19 kn)
• Game attendance: 74,100
• Referee: Bob Frederic
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
• ^[24]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NE	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NE NYJ "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 16

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 39 minutes

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

Week 13 (Thursday, November 28, 1985): at Detroit Lions

^[25]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets (9–4)	0	3	7	10	20
Lions (7–6)	3	14	7	7	31

Week 13: New York Jets at Detroit Lions – Game summary

at Pontiac Silverdome • Pontiac, Michigan

• Date: November 28, 1985
• Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 65,531
• Referee: Chuck Heberling
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator) and Ahmad Rashad (sideline reporter)
• ^[26]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DET	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ DET "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 31

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 14 (Sunday, December 8, 1985): at Buffalo Bills

^[27]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets (10–4)	0	21	0	6	27
Bills (2–12)	0	0	7	0	7

Week 14: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – Game summary

at Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York

• Date: December 8, 1985
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 23,122
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
• ^[28]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
BUF	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ BUF "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 27 7

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 15 (Saturday, December 14, 1985): vs. Chicago Bears

^[29]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears (14–1)	3	7	3	6	19
Jets (10–5)	3	0	3	0	6

Week 15: Chicago Bears at New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: December 14, 1985
• Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 74,752
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), John Madden (color commentator) and Irv Cross (sideline reporter)
• ^[30]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
CHI	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP CHI NYJ "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 19 6

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 16 (Sunday, December 22, 1985): vs. Cleveland Browns

^[31]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns (8–8)	7	3	0	0	10
Jets (11–5)	10	7	10	10	37

Week 16: Cleveland Browns at New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: December 22, 1985
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 59,073
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
• ^[32]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
CLE	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP CLE NYJ "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 10 37

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Standings

AFC East
view talk edit	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

Playoffs

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

Playoff Game summaries

AFC Wild Card Playoffs (Saturday, December 28, 1985): vs. New England Patriots

^[33]

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots (12–5)	3	10	10	3	26
Jets (11–6)	0	7	7	0	14

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (A5) New England Patriots at (A4) New York Jets – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: December 28, 1985
• Game time: 4:07 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Partly Cloudy • 33 °F (1 °C) • Wind NW 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn) to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h; 26 kn)
• Game attendance: 70,958
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play), Bob Griese (color commentator) and Ahmad Rashad (sideline reporter)
• ^[34]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NE	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NE NYJ "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 26 14

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 0 minutes

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

Awards and honors

• Ken O'Brien, NFL passing leader (96.2 passer rating)

External links

• 1985 statistics

References

1. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
2. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Los Angeles Raiders – September 8, 1985
3. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
4. Pro Football Reference; Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – September 15, 1985
5. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
6. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Green Bay Packers – September 22, 1985
7. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
8. Pro Football Reference; Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – September 29, 1985
9. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
10. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals – October 6, 1985
11. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
12. Pro Football Reference; Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – October 14, 1985
13. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
14. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at New England Patriots – October 20, 1985
15. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
16. Pro Football Reference; Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets – October 27, 1985
17. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
18. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – November 3, 1985
19. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
20. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – November 10, 1985
21. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
22. Pro Football Reference; Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets – November 17, 1985
23. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
24. Pro Football Reference; New England Patriots at New York Jets – November 24, 1985
25. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
26. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Detroit Lions – November 28, 1985
27. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
28. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – December 8, 1985
29. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
30. Pro Football Reference; Chicago Bears at New York Jets – December 14, 1985
31. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
32. Pro Football Reference; Cleveland Browns at New York Jets – December 22, 1985
33. The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Apr-24.
34. Pro Football Reference; AFC Wild Card Playoffs – New England Patriots at New York Jets – December 28, 1985