I believe both Todd and Ferguson threw 2 TD and had 4 INT each -- THAT is weird (which is probably why I remember it). Todd threw for like 350 yards as the Jets were in catch-up mode most of the day. I also recall Mickey Shuler catching most of the balls because Wesley Walker and Freeman McNeil were both invisible that day (not sure why -- probably double and triple-teamed). It was my first real playoff game because I only barely remembered 1968 and 1969. To me, the playoffs were when other teams played and mine didn't. Hell, the Jets were never even alive on the outside for a playoff spot except for 1978 all during the decade I got into the NFL bigtime.
Yeah... Ferguson threw 4 ints. and 2 touchdowns. 17/34 268 yds. Todd was 28/51 for 377 yds. Shuler had 6 catches for 116 yds. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198112270nyj.htm
Walker wasn't invisible. He dropped two clear TD's. And when I say dropped, I mean the balls were beautifully spoon-fed into his arms, and he somehow dropped them both. It's hard to believe, but true.
Those stats show you much the game has changed over the last 40 years. Back then turnovers and penalties in general were an annoyance but ‘part of the game’. Today those numbers would be unacceptable and put social media into a tizzy. It was an old fashioned sloppy, muddy, dirty slugfest of a game between two division rivals …. And my first football heartbreak at the age of 10….
The first one was a killer - it would of tied the game 7-7 and changed the entire tone of the first half. I don’t think I remember the second one clearly but he dropped a few balls that game. How about the Ferguson fumble in the second quarter that Gastineau - had he scooped it up -would of run in for a TD. He kicked and bobbled it a few times and Buffalo wound up falling on it. It ruined their drive but again could have changed the tone of the game before the Jets had to go into overdrive …
Wow, I don't remember that. Then again, I was in shock most of the afternoon after the Opening Kickoff.
