The 1980 New York Jets season was the 21st season for the franchise and its eleventh in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 8–8 record from 1979 under head coach Walt Michaels, and being widely predicted to improve further and reach the postseason for the first time since 1969. The Jets finished the season with a record of 4–12.

During the season, the Jets were the only team to lose to the notorious New Orleans Saints team, dubbed the “Aints”. On a day with a wind-chill temperature of and kicking with a gale of 46mph, the Jets failed to hold on to a 13–7 lead after three quarters, losing by a single point, 21–20.

History would repeat itself 11 years later, when the Jets lost 28–27 at home to the Indianapolis Colts, the Colts’ lone victory of that season.

Offseason Draft

Undrafted free agents

+ 1980 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeGuy AlbaneseCornerbackMiddle TennesseeBen BottoneLinebackerRhode IslandLawrence ColeSafetyNebraskaBrian DohertyRunning backHoly CrossEd GallagherTacklePittsburghMike GayTackleKansasTony MerendinoQuarterbackChattanooga

Personnel Staff

Roster

Regular season

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 7 Baltimore Colts L 14–17 0–1 Shea Stadium 50,777 2 September 14 at Buffalo Bills L 10–20 0–2 Rich Stadium 65,315 3 September 21 San Francisco 49ers L 27–37 0–3 Shea Stadium 50,608 4 September 28 at Baltimore Colts L 21–35 0–4 Memorial Stadium 33,373 5 October 5 New England Patriots L 11–21 0–5 Shea Stadium 53,604 6 October 12 at Atlanta Falcons W 14–7 1–5 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 57,458 7 October 19 Seattle Seahawks L 17–27 1–6 Shea Stadium 52,496 8 Miami Dolphins W 17–14 2–6 Shea Stadium 53,046 9 November 2 at New England Patriots L 21–34 2–7 Schaefer Stadium 60,834 10 November 9 Buffalo Bills L 24–31 2–8 Shea Stadium 45,677 11 November 16 at Denver Broncos L 24–31 2–9 Mile High Stadium 72,114 12 November 23 Houston Oilers W 31–28 (OT) 3–9 Shea Stadium 52,358 13 November 30 at Los Angeles Rams L 13–38 3–10 Anaheim Stadium 59,743 14 December 7 at Cleveland Browns L 14–17 3–11 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 78,454 15 December 14 New Orleans Saints L 20–21 3–12 Shea Stadium 38,077 16 at Miami Dolphins W 24–17 4–12 Miami Orange Bowl 41,854 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

Season summary

Week 1 vs Colts

Week 2 at Bills

References

External links 1980 statistics