New York Jets: A Look Back 30 Years to a Special Season…Almost

2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the 1982 New York Jets. 1982 season was a year that the Jets made a run at the Super Bowl, and by many accounts, should have gone to the Super Bowl if it wasn’t for the handling of the field in Miami. More on that later.

Throughout the 2012 season, we will look back at the 1982 season week by week, as the dates of the games arrive. We will recap, and week by week bring to life, this almost special season for the Jets. Let’s look back and take a general recap.

The Jets in 1982 were coming off a season where they went to the playoffs, with a 10-5-1 record. They were looking for a return to the playoffs under head coach Walt Michaels.

This was also a season marred by a long players strike, limiting the season to only nine games, and eliminating division play for the year. The top eight teams in each conference went to the playoffs in the altered system.

After splitting the first two games of the season prior to the strike, the Jets came out of the work stoppage and won 5 out of their last 7 games, giving them a playoff berth with a 6th seed. Freenman McNeil (pictured), won the rushing title with 786 yards.