Super Bowl III: The Upset of the Century
Super Bowl III is considered one of the most memorable games in NFL history. It was a battle between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Jets, played on January 12, 1969, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. It was a matchup between the two leagues that would later become the AFC and NFC. The game marked the first time an AFL team had defeated an NFL team in a Super Bowl, and it was a defining moment for the upstart AFL.
The Colts’ Season Leading Up to Super Bowl III
The Baltimore Colts had an impressive 13-1 record in the 1968 season. Led by quarterback Earl Morrall, the team had a strong defense and an efficient offense that helped them dominate the NFL. The Colts were heavily favored to win the Super Bowl, and many experts predicted that the game would be a blowout.
The Jets’ Season Leading Up to Super Bowl III
On the other hand, the New York Jets had a more challenging road to the Super Bowl. They finished the season with a 11-3 record and were considered underdogs in most of their games. However, they managed to win their division and the AFL championship with an impressive win over the Oakland Raiders. Quarterback Joe Namath, who had made a bold prediction that the Jets would win the game, was the team’s leader and key to their success.
The Halftime Show
The halftime show of Super Bowl III was a relatively low-key event compared to the extravagant halftime shows of today. The “University of Arizona Symphonic Marching Band and Drill Team” performed a variety of songs and marching formations. While the halftime show was not the highlight of the game, it was still a memorable part of the Super Bowl III experience.
The Game Itself: Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was a game that will always be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in NFL history. The matchup between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Jets was a battle between two teams with very different seasons leading up to the game. The Colts were heavily favored to win, but the Jets had other plans.
The Defensive Struggle of the First Quarter
The game began with a defensive struggle, with both teams failing to score in the first quarter. The Jets were able to keep the Colts’ offense in check, preventing them from making any significant gains. Meanwhile, the Jets’ offense struggled to move the ball against the Colts’ formidable defense.
Joe Namath’s Touchdown Drive in the Second Quarter
In the second quarter, Joe Namath led the Jets on a touchdown drive that covered 80 yards and culminated in a touchdown pass to George Sauer. Namath’s accurate passing and leadership skills were on full display during this drive, as he was able to find open receivers and make quick decisions.
The Jets’ Defense Holds Strong in the Third Quarter
In the third quarter, the Jets’ defense continued to play a key role in the game. They were able to hold the Colts to a field goal, which extended the Jets’ lead to 10-0. The Colts were unable to mount any significant drives in the third quarter, as the Jets’ defense was able to pressure Earl Morrall and disrupt the Colts’ passing game.
The Colts’ Fourth Quarter Comeback Attempt
In the fourth quarter, the Colts tried to mount a comeback. They scored a touchdown early in the quarter, but the Jets’ defense was able to prevent them from scoring again. The Colts had several opportunities to score, but the Jets’ defense held strong, intercepting two of Morrall’s passes and preventing the Colts from converting on several key third downs.
The Final Score and the Upset
The game ended with the Jets winning 16-7, and it was a stunning upset. The Jets had been considered underdogs throughout the season, and few people had given them a chance to win the Super Bowl. However, Joe Namath’s leadership and accurate passing, combined with the Jets’ strong defense, had been enough to defeat the heavily favored Colts.
Key Players in Super Bowl III
Several key players stood out in the game. Joe Namath, the quarterback for the Jets, was the game’s Most Valuable Player. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown. His accurate passing and leadership skills had been instrumental in the Jets’ victory.
Matt Snell, the Jets’ running back, had also played a key role in the game. He rushed for 121 yards and scored the team’s only rushing touchdown. His ability to gain yardage on the ground had been a key factor in the Jets’ victory.
On the Colts’ side, Earl Morrall, the team’s quarterback, had a disappointing game. He completed only 6 of 17 passes for 71 yards and threw three interceptions. His inability to move the ball effectively had been a major factor in the Colts’ loss. Running back Tom Matte was the team’s leading rusher with 116 yards, but he was unable to find the end zone.
The MVP of Super Bowl III: Joe Namath
Joe Namath, the quarterback for the New York Jets, was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl III. His performance in the game was one of the greatest in NFL history, and he played a key role in the Jets’ stunning upset of the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.
Namath’s Leadership and Confidence
Namath’s leadership and confidence had been instrumental in the Jets’ success throughout the season. He had guaranteed a victory before the Super Bowl, a statement that was widely ridiculed by the media and NFL experts. However, Namath had backed up his words with his performance on the field.
Namath’s Accurate Passing
Namath’s accurate passing had helped the Jets dominate the Colts’ defense. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter that culminated in a 18-yard touchdown pass to George Sauer. Namath was able to find open receivers and make quick decisions, which allowed the Jets to move the ball effectively throughout the game.
Namath’s Legacy
Namath’s performance in Super Bowl III was a defining moment in his career and in the history of the NFL. He had become a legend for his leadership, his accuracy, and his confidence, and his victory over the Colts had demonstrated that the AFL was a legitimate league that could compete with the more established NFL.
Namath was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, and he is still remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. His victory in Super Bowl III was a defining moment in his career, and it remains one of the greatest upsets in the history of the NFL.
Conclusion
Super Bowl III was a defining moment in the history of the NFL. It was a game that marked the ascension of the upstart AFL and demonstrated that it could compete with the established NFL. The game was a battle between two teams with different seasons leading up to the game, and it culminated in a stunning upset that will always be remembered.
The game was a showcase for several key players, including Joe Namath, the game’s Most Valuable Player, and Matt Snell, who played a crucial role in the Jets’ victory. On the Colts’ side, Earl Morrall had a disappointing game, and the Colts were unable to mount a successful comeback in the fourth quarter.
The halftime show of Super Bowl III was a relatively low-key event, but it was still a memorable part of the game. It demonstrated that the Super Bowl was more than just a football game, and that it was a cultural event that captured the imagination of millions of people.
Super Bowl III remains a defining moment in the history of the NFL, and it continues to be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in sports history. It marked a turning point in the history of the league, and it demonstrated that anything is possible in the world of sports. The game will always be remembered as a testament to the power of perseverance, leadership, and determination.