On This Date in Sports December 20, 1969: Downing the Jets
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the New York Jets 13-6 in the Divisional Playoffs at Shea Stadium. It ends the Jets quest of a second straight trip to the Super Bowl. The AFL expanded its playoffs for their final season, with division winners playing second-place teams from the other division. The Chiefs would go on to win Super Bowl IV, upsetting the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.
Following their historic upset in Super Bowl III, the New York Jets coached by Weeb Ewbank again won the Eastern Division in the American Football League with a record of 10-4. Looking to shadow the NFL, the AFL added a second level of playoffs, with the second-place teams making the playoffs and crossing over to face the division title in the other division. The Kansas City Chiefs finished 11-3 and finished second to the Oakland Raiders, who posted a 12-1-1 record.
It was a cold, blustery day at Shea Stadium, as Chiefs were a two and half point favorite on the road. The Chiefs beat the Jets 34-16 at Shea Stadium a month earlier. The game would be a defensive battle as Kanas City kept Joe Namath and the Jets bogged down the entire game. The Jets would take an early lead on a 27-yard field goal by Jim Turner. Jan Stenerud meanwhile struggled with the swirling Shewa winds, missing three field goals. The Chiefs, though were in control, a Stenerud hit a field goal in the second quarter to tie the game and hit another to give Kansas City a 6-3 lead in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Jets evened the score with a seven-yard field goal by Jim Turner. However, the Chiefs took it a victory as they turned away New York at the goal line. The Chiefs took this momentum and would breakthrough in the fourth quarter as Golden Richards caught a 19-yard touchdown pass by Len Dawson. The touchdown would end up deciding the game, as the Chiefs picked off Joe Namath three times. This included Jim Marsalis, who had two interceptions. It was a terrible day for Namath as he completed just 14 of 40 passes for 164 yards.
After their 13-7 win in New York, the Chiefs went on to beat the Oakland Raiders 17-7 for the final AFL Championship. In Super Bowl IV, the Chiefs proved the Jets victory was no fluke as they stun the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.