Throwback Game of the Week - Rams at Jets

The Rams and Jets have met only 11 times since the two teams became part of the same league after the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. New York won the first game of the series in ’70 but hasn’t fared well in many of the other matchups.

The Rams hold a commanding 9-2 lead in the series and have outscored the Jets, 294-184 in those contests. The last time these two clubs faced each other was in the 2004 regular season finale.

Nov. 15, 1970 – Jets 31, Rams 20 (Los Angeles)
The Jets stunned the heavily favored Rams by scoring 17 unanswered points in the second quarter that proved to be the difference in this ball game. The win broke a six-game losing streak for New York.

The Jets’ QB Al Woodall, in his fourth start since Joe Namath went down with a season-ending injury, connected on 10 of 17 passes for 261 yards and threw 3 TDs. Hall of Fame end Don Maynard had three catches for 102 yards. New York’s defense limited the Rams’ running game to a mere 54 yards.

Sept. 25, 1983 – Jets 27, Rams 24 – OT (New York)
This fiercely contested battle was marred by a third quarter brawl. Hall of Fame tackle Jackie Slater took exception to a post-sack celebration by the Jets’ Mark Gastineau. Once order was restored, New York’s defensive back Jerry Holmes stole the day, literally. Earlier in the game, he had picked up the football on a blocked field goal attempt and rambled 57 yards for the touchdown to tie the game at 14-14. Then, in overtime, he intercepted a Vince Ferragamo pass at his own 20-yard-line and returned it to midfield. Holmes’ interception set up the game-winning field goal, a 22-yarder by Pat Leahy.

The Jets offense was led by QB Richard Todd who completed 37 of 50 passes for 446 yards and 2 TDs. Rams’ Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson gained 192 yards rushing on 28 carries and scored 2 TDs including an 85-yard run to open the day’s scoring.

Dec. 3, 1995 – Rams 23, Jets 20 (New York)
The Rams playoff chances stayed alive as backup QB Mark Rypien threw a pair of touchdown passes in relief of starter Chris Miller. D’Marco Farr contributed on the defensive side of the ball for St. Louis with 3.5 sacks and one interception.

The Jets’ Gary Jones picked off Rypien’s first pass of the game and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown to head into halftime tied at 7-7.

Jan. 2, 2005 – Rams 32, Jets 29 – OT (St. Louis)
The Rams qualified for the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons after kicker Jeff Wilkins nailed a 31-yard field goal in overtimeof the Week 17 matchup. Quarterback Marc Bulger connected on 29 of 39 passes for 450 yards and threw three touchdowns while Torry Holt caught 7 balls for 116 yards.

Jets RB Curtis Martin gained 153 yards on the ground to win his first NFL rushing title.

Hall of Fame Perspective
Jackie Slater, Class of 2001

Tackle Jackie Slater played 20 seasons for the Rams from 1976 to 1995. In all, he suited up for 259 games in his NFL career which, at the time of his retirement, marked the most ever by an offensive lineman. Slater was voted to the Pro Bowl seven times and named All-Pro five times. He blocked for seven different 1,000-yard runners during his career.

Slater paved the way for a 100-yard rushing day for his running back in each of his first three outings against the Jets. In 1980, Slater and the Rams front line had a huge day as backup RB Elvis Peacock had the greatest performance of his NFL career when he rushed 19 times for 152 yards to help the Rams down the Jets, 38-13. It marked the first 100-yard rushing game against the Jets’ defense in two years.

Twice against the Jets, Slater opened holes from his right tackle position so Eric Dickerson could reach the century mark. In the ’83 game against New York, Dickerson gained 192 yards and then rushed for 107 yards against the Jets three seasons later.

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The longest punt in league history was kicked by Jets punter Steve O’Neal. He unleashed a 98-yard punt against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 21, 1969.

The Rams Hall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin still holds the record for most passing yards in a game. He threw for an incredible 554 yards against New York – not the Jets but the Yanks – on Sept. 28, 1951.

New York, a charter member of the American Football League, began as the Titans. The team changed its name to the Jets in 1963. That year, the team sported an actual logo of a Jet on its helmet.

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath finished his career by playing four games with the Rams in 1977. His swan song certainly wasn’t as memorable as his years with the Jets from 1965-1976. Namath threw four interceptions on 40 throws against the Bears at Chicago in his final NFL appearance on Oct. 10, 1977. His last play as a NFL quarterback resulted in the Bears being flagged for unnecessary roughness as Namath was shaken up while throwing an incomplete pass.

Rams - The Rams joined the NFL in 1937. Success came early and often for the franchise which was the first major sports team to move to the west coast. The team…More>>>

Jets - The franchise began as the Titans in the American Football League in 1960. The team changed its nickname to the Jets in 1963. New York's high point of their AFL days came… More>>>

Name, Position, Year of Induction

As a free agent rookie with the Rams, “Night Train” Lane had 14 interceptions. That record still stands today.	Weeb Ewbank is the only coach ever to win a championship in the NFL and the AFL. He guided the Colts to NFL titles in 1958 and 1959 and then led the Jets to a victory in Super Bowl III.

RAMS
The Rams have 13 long-time members inducted into the Hall of Fame. In addition, 10 other Hall of Fame members spent part of his career, albeit brief, with the Rams.

George Allen, Coach, 2002
*Bob Brown, Tackle, 2004
Eric Dickerson, Running Back, 1999
Tom Fears, End, 1970
*Bill George, Linebacker, 1974
*Sid Gillman, Coach, 1983
Elroy Hirsch, Halfback/End, 1968
David “Deacon” Jones, Defensive End, 1980
*Dick “Night Train” Lane, Cornerback, 1974
*James Lofton, Wide Receiver, 2003
Tom Mack, Guard, 1999
Ollie Matson, Halfback, 1972
*Tommy McDonald, Wide Receiver, 1998
*Joe Namath, Quarterback, 1985
Merlin Olsen, Defensive Tackle, 1982
Dan Reeves, Owner, 1967
Andy Robustelli, Defensive End, 1971
*Tex Schramm, Administrator, 1991
Jackie Slater, Tackle, 2001
Norm Van Brocklin, Quarterback, 1971
 Bob Waterfield, Quarterback, 1965
*Ron Yary, Tackle, 2001
Jack Youngblood, Defensive End, 2001

JETS
The Jets have four long-time members inducted into the Hall of Fame. In addition, two other Hall of Fame members spent part of his career, albeit brief, with the Jets.

Weeb Ewbank, Coach, 1978
Don Maynard, Wide Receiver, 1987
*Ronnie Lott, Defensive Back, 2000
*Art Monk, Wide Receiver, 2008
Joe Namath, Quarterback, 1985
John Riggins, Running Back, 1992

*Notes that the Hall of Famer spent time with the Rams or the Jets but made his major contribution to the NFL with another team.

Rams Trivia

1. What year did the Rams franchise move from Cleveland to Los Angeles?
a. 1939
b. 1942
c. 1946
d. 1953

2. Who holds the Rams single-game record for most yards rushing?
a. Eric Dickerson
b. Marshall Faulk
c. Ollie Matson
d. Willie Ellison

3. What coach has the most wins in Rams history?
a. George Allen
b. Sid Gillman
c. Mike Martz
d. John Robinson

4. Who has played in the most consecutive games in Rams history?
a. Tom Mack
b. Merlin Olsen
c. Jackie Slater
d. Jack Youngblood

5. Who is the Rams’ single-season record holder for points?
a. Eric Dickerson
b. Marshall Faulk
c. Bruce Gossett
d. Jeff Wilkins

1. Who has played in the most game in New York Jets history?
a. Pat Leahy
b. Mo Lewis
c. Marty Lyons
d. Don Maynard

2. What New York Jets player has appeared in the most post-season games in franchise history?
a. Jason Fabini
b. Curtis Martin
c. Don Maynard
d. Freeman McNeil

3. Who holds the Jets single-season reception record?
a. Wayne Chrebet
b. Laveranues Coles
c. Keyshawn Johnson
d. Al Toon

4. Who holds the Jets’ record for most yards passing in a season?
a. Boomer Esiason
b. Joe Namath
c. Ken O’Brien
d. Vinny Testaverde

5. Which Jets coach has the most wins in team history?
a. Weeb Ewbank
b. Walt Michaels
c. Bill Parcells
d. Joe Walton

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath wore this piece of equipment during the season leading up to Super Bowl III.