1985 New York Jets season
OwnerLeon Hess
General managerJim Kensil
Head coachJoe Walton
Home fieldGiants Stadium
Results
Record11–5
Division place2nd AFC East
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Patriots) 14–26
Pro BowlersQB Ken O'Brien
RB Freeman McNeil
DT Joe Klecko
DE Mark Gastineau
LB Lance Mehl
The Jets playing against the New England Patriots in week 7

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 playoffs, they fell at home to the division rival, and eventual AFC champion New England Patriots in the Wild Card round.

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

Offseason

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
Ownership

{{{ownership}}}

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches


Roster

1985 New York Jets final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Rookies in italics

Pre season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Time TV Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap
1 August 10 Philadelphia Eagles 8:30 p.m. EDT L 17–37 0–1 Giants Stadium 30,097
2 August 17 at Cincinnati Bengals 7:00 p.m. EDT L 20–24 0–2 Riverfront Stadium 40,371
3 August 24 at New York Giants 8:00 p.m. EDT L 31–34 (OT) 0–3 Giants Stadium 63,174
4 August 31 at Green Bay Packers 7:00 p.m. EDT 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 Time TV Result Record Game Site Attendance Recap
1 September 8 at Los Angeles Raiders 4:00 p.m. EDT NBC L 0–31 0–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 57,123
2 September 15 Buffalo Bills 4:00 p.m. EDT NBC W 42–3 1–1 Giants Stadium 63,449
3 September 22 at Green Bay Packers 4:00 p.m. EDT NBC W 24–3 2–1 Milwaukee County Stadium 53,667
4 September 29 Indianapolis Colts 4:00 p.m. EDT NBC W 25–20 3–1 Giants Stadium 61,987
5 October 6 at Cincinnati Bengals 4:00 p.m. EDT NBC W 29–20 4–1 Riverfront Stadium 51,785
6 October 14 Miami Dolphins 9:00 p.m. EDT ABC W 23–7 5–1 Giants Stadium 73,807
7 October 20 at New England Patriots 4:00 p.m. EDT NBC L 13–20 5–2 Sullivan Stadium 58,163
8 October 27 Seattle Seahawks 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 17–14 6–2 Giants Stadium 69,320
9 November 3 at Indianapolis Colts 4:00 p.m. EST NBC W 35–17 7–2 Hoosier Dome 59,683
10 November 10 at Miami Dolphins 4:00 p.m. EST NBC L 17–21 7–3 Miami Orange Bowl 73,965
11 November 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 p.m. EST CBS W 62–28 8–3 Giants Stadium 65,344
12 November 24 New England Patriots 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 16–13 (OT) 9—3 Giants Stadium 74,100
13 November 28 at Detroit Lions 12:30 p.m. EST NBC L 20–31 9–4 Pontiac Silverdome 65,531
14 December 8 at Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 27–7 10–4 Rich Stadium 23,122
15 December 14 Chicago Bears 12:30 p.m. EST CBS L 6–19 10–5 Giants Stadium 74,752
16 December 22 Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. EST NBC W 37–10 11–5 Giants Stadium 59,073

Regular Season Game summaries

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

[1]

Week 1: New York Jets at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets (0–1) 0 0 000
Raiders (1–0) 7 14 7331

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, California

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYJ PassingKen O'Brien16/29, 192 YDS, 2 INTs
RushingFreeman McNeil17 CAR, 44 YDS
ReceivingMickey Shuler7 REC, 88 YDS
RAI PassingJim Plunkett14/21, 242 YDS, 1 TD
RushingMarcus Allen20 CAR, 76 YDS, 2 TDs
ReceivingTodd Christensen6 REC, 87 YDS
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]

Week 2: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills (0–2) 3 0 003
Jets (1–1) 0 21 14742

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
BUF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 3: New York Jets at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets (2–1) 7 0 10724
Packers (1–2) 3 0 003

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]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
GB Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 4: Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts (1–3) 0 10 7320
Jets (3–1) 6 12 7025

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IND Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 5: New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets (4–1) 7 7 12329
Bengals (1–4) 7 6 0720

at Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
CIN Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 6: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins (4–2) 0 0 707
Jets (5–1) 0 6 10723

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]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MIA Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 7: New York Jets at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets (5–2) 0 3 3713
Patriots (4–3) 3 3 01420

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]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYJ PassingKen O'Brien15/31, 246 YDS, 1 INT
RushingJohnny Hector21 CAR, 80 YDS
ReceivingWesley Walker6 REC, 140 YDS
NE PassingSteve Grogan11/32, 171 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingCraig James22 CAR, 94 YDS
ReceivingStanley Morgan3 REC, 71 YDS
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]

Week 8: Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks (4–4) 0 14 0014
Jets (6–2) 0 0 71017

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
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SEA PassingDave Krieg9/20, 148 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingRandall Morris23 CAR, 88 YDS
ReceivingDaryl Turner2 REC, 78 YDS, 1 TD
NYJ PassingKen O'Brien13/25, 182 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingFreeman McNeil22 CAR, 151 YDS
ReceivingRocky Klever3 REC, 43 YDS


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]

Week 9: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets (7–2) 14 21 0035
Colts (3–6) 0 3 7717

at Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
IND Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 10: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets (7–3) 0 3 7717
Dolphins (6–4) 0 7 7721

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]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
MIA Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers (4–4) 14 7 7028
Jets (8–3) 17 24 14762

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]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TB Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 12: New England Patriots at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Patriots (8–4) 0 3 010013
Jets (9–3) 6 0 70316

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]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NE Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 13: New York Jets at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets (9–4) 0 3 71020
Lions (7–6) 3 14 7731

at Pontiac Silverdome • Pontiac, Michigan

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DET Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 14: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets (10–4) 0 21 0627
Bills (2–12) 0 0 707

at Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
BUF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 15: Chicago Bears at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears (14–1) 3 7 3619
Jets (10–5) 3 0 306

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
CHI Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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]

Week 16: Cleveland Browns at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns (8–8) 7 3 0010
Jets (11–5) 10 7 101037

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
CLE Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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
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]

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (A5) New England Patriots at (A4) New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots (12–5) 3 10 10326
Jets (11–6) 0 7 7014

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]
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NE Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NYJ Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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)

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
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