Sep 30 In Jets History: Jets Hand Dolphins 1st Loss
Sept 30, 2015 5:37:34 GMT -5
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Post by Lithfan on Sept 30, 2015 5:37:34 GMT -5
September 30, 1979
Don Shula brought a 4-0 Miami Dolphin team into Shea Stadium for a week 5 game against the Jets. The Dolphins came in as a road favorite and were expected to leave Flushing with their undefeated record intact.
1979 would be the last season as Dolphins starter for their Hall of Fame QB, Bob Griese, who had a solid day for the Phins throwing for 296 yards and 3 TDs, but he did throw one costly interception as the Jets upset the Dolphins 33-27.
The Jets came in with the top rushing attack in the NFL and it would appear that they had a game plan similar to the first Jets-Dolphins contest in 2014 when Geno Smith only threw 13 times in a 16-13 loss. However, the strategy worked well in this 1979 contest as the Jets got big plays out of the defense and special teams to jump out to a big early lead. Richard Todd, only put the ball in the air 10 times, but did hit on a couple of big passing plays to help build the lead and survive a 4th quarter Miami rally.
The Jets Special Teams struck early when Donald Dykes blocked a George Roberts punt with less than 2:00 gone in the first quarter. Johnny Lynn fell on the ball in the end zone and the Jets had an early 7-0 lead. Miami responded quickly, as Bob Griese led a scoring drive that ended with his 26 yard scoring strike to Jimmy Cefalo just 3 minutes later. An Uwe Von Schamann field goal gave Miami their only lead of the day at 10-7 late in the first quarter.
A 43-yard Todd connection with WR Derrick Gaffney set up the first of two Tom Newton 1 yard TD runs in the 2nd quarter and the Jets carried a 20-10 lead into the half. The Jets extended their lead in the 3rd quarter as DB Bobby Jackson jumped a short route to Cefalo and came away with a pick 6 that gave the Jets a 26-10 lead after a failed extra point try.
“I had been waiting for that (quick out) pass all day,” Jackson would tell reporters after the game. “He (Griese) looked to my side and I knew once he started to throw he could not stop. I played for the interception because I knew the worst that could happen would be a completion at that spot or an interference call.”
The Dolphins closed to within 6 in the 4th quarter following an 18-yard TD pass from Griese to TE Bruce Hardy and another Von Schamann FG. However, the Jets caught the Dolphins in a blitz on the next possession and Todd hit Wesley Walker for his only catch of the day. It covered 71 yards and went for a TD to give the Jets a 33-20 lead.
“We were in a blitz,” Shula said after the game, referring to Walker’s clinching TD. “And he just went right down the middle of the field.”
Todd finished the day with just 6 completion on 10 attempts, but he made them count, throwing for over 180 yards and the 1 TD. The Jets running attack, tops in the league in '79, ground out 168 yards against a stout Miami run defense that came into the game #1 in the NFL. Clark Gaines led the way with 92 yards on 21 carries.
Griese added his 3rd TD pass of the day on the game’s final play, but the Jets still prevailed 33-27.
Source: St. Petersburg Times, 10/1/79.
Don Shula brought a 4-0 Miami Dolphin team into Shea Stadium for a week 5 game against the Jets. The Dolphins came in as a road favorite and were expected to leave Flushing with their undefeated record intact.
1979 would be the last season as Dolphins starter for their Hall of Fame QB, Bob Griese, who had a solid day for the Phins throwing for 296 yards and 3 TDs, but he did throw one costly interception as the Jets upset the Dolphins 33-27.
The Jets came in with the top rushing attack in the NFL and it would appear that they had a game plan similar to the first Jets-Dolphins contest in 2014 when Geno Smith only threw 13 times in a 16-13 loss. However, the strategy worked well in this 1979 contest as the Jets got big plays out of the defense and special teams to jump out to a big early lead. Richard Todd, only put the ball in the air 10 times, but did hit on a couple of big passing plays to help build the lead and survive a 4th quarter Miami rally.
The Jets Special Teams struck early when Donald Dykes blocked a George Roberts punt with less than 2:00 gone in the first quarter. Johnny Lynn fell on the ball in the end zone and the Jets had an early 7-0 lead. Miami responded quickly, as Bob Griese led a scoring drive that ended with his 26 yard scoring strike to Jimmy Cefalo just 3 minutes later. An Uwe Von Schamann field goal gave Miami their only lead of the day at 10-7 late in the first quarter.
A 43-yard Todd connection with WR Derrick Gaffney set up the first of two Tom Newton 1 yard TD runs in the 2nd quarter and the Jets carried a 20-10 lead into the half. The Jets extended their lead in the 3rd quarter as DB Bobby Jackson jumped a short route to Cefalo and came away with a pick 6 that gave the Jets a 26-10 lead after a failed extra point try.
“I had been waiting for that (quick out) pass all day,” Jackson would tell reporters after the game. “He (Griese) looked to my side and I knew once he started to throw he could not stop. I played for the interception because I knew the worst that could happen would be a completion at that spot or an interference call.”
The Dolphins closed to within 6 in the 4th quarter following an 18-yard TD pass from Griese to TE Bruce Hardy and another Von Schamann FG. However, the Jets caught the Dolphins in a blitz on the next possession and Todd hit Wesley Walker for his only catch of the day. It covered 71 yards and went for a TD to give the Jets a 33-20 lead.
“We were in a blitz,” Shula said after the game, referring to Walker’s clinching TD. “And he just went right down the middle of the field.”
Todd finished the day with just 6 completion on 10 attempts, but he made them count, throwing for over 180 yards and the 1 TD. The Jets running attack, tops in the league in '79, ground out 168 yards against a stout Miami run defense that came into the game #1 in the NFL. Clark Gaines led the way with 92 yards on 21 carries.
Griese added his 3rd TD pass of the day on the game’s final play, but the Jets still prevailed 33-27.
Source: St. Petersburg Times, 10/1/79.
