Analysis. History. Perspective.

Sports Then and Now



Classic Rewind: 1985 AFC Playoffs – Patriots at Jets 3

Posted on September 16, 2009 by Joe Gill

Through out the NFL season, Sports Then and Now will pick one upcoming NFL matchup and look through the history books to find an intriguing past meeting between the two teams. We will recap the game and hopefully help reintroduce (or introduce for you younger readers) you to some of the greats (and in some cases not so greats) from the history of professional football.

The Matchup: New England Patriots vs. New York Jets

Playoff Head to Head Record: First Meeting

The Game: December 28, 1985 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Regular Season Team Records: New England Patriots (11-5), New York Jets (11-5)

Overview: The Patriots and Jets both earned wild card berths in the log jam that was the AFC East. The Miami Dolphins with a 12-4 record edged out New York and New England by one win for the division crown.

The teams split two close contests during the regular season. The Patriots edged the Jets in Foxboro 20-13 on October 20th pushing their record to 4-3. They would go 7-2 the rest of the regular season.

The Jets handed them one of those defeats, 16-13 on November 24th. This would be the rubber match between the two AFC East rivals.

Read the rest of this entry →

  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Harold Jackson: Unsung Star WR
      December 12, 2024 | 4:24 pm

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is one of the most underappreciated wide receivers in NFL history, despite boasting a career that spanned 16 seasons and saw him excel as one of the league’s premier deep threats. Known for his speed, route-running, and ability to make plays downfield, Harold Jackson left an indelible mark on the game during an era that was not yet pass-heavy. Standing at 5’10” and weighing 175 pounds, he defied expectations of size to become a dominant force on the field. Over the course of his illustrious career (1968–1983), Jackson totaled 10,372 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns, placing him among the top receivers of his time.

      Read more »

    • RSSArchive for Vintage Athlete of the Month »
  • Follow Us Online

  • Current Poll

    Who Will Wins the CFP Championship?

    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...
  • Post Categories



↑ Top