Nov. 29, 1964 - The New York Jets, often a lackadaisical football team in the later stages of games this season, exploded for 21 points in the second half at Shea Stadium today and upset the Kansas City Chiefs, 27 to 14.
Playing before 46,597 fans (8,462 of them Junior Jets), New York intercepted four passes by Len Dawson, the AFL’s leading passer. Two of the interceptions led to touchdowns and a third to a Jet field goal. The fourth halted a Chief drive on the New York 2.
The victory was the Jets’ fifth against five losses and a tie, and halted a three-game losing streak. All the New York triumphs have been scored at Shea Stadium. The defeat was a major blow to Kansas City’s title hopes, dropping the Chiefs deeper into second place in the Western Division with a 5‐6 record.
Dick Wood, the lanky Jet quarterback, perhaps spurred by the fact that New York had drafted three quarterbacks Saturday, fired touchdown passes to Bake Turner in the third period and to Matt Snell in the fourth.
Jets coach Weeb Ewbank looked a little tired after the victory.
“Yes,” the little coach said. “I didn’t get home from that draft until 3 a.m., and I had to get up at 9.” The AFL draft was the prime topic of discussion after the Jets’ victory.
The most interesting part of the Jet draft list was the three quarterbacks they picked — Joe Namath of Alabama (1), John Huarte of Notre Dame (2), and Archie Roberts of Columbia (7).
“We’re not dissatisfied with our quarterbacks,” Ewbank said. In today’s game, Wood completed 12 of 21 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns after being soundly booed at his pre-game introduction. “I’ve seen them boo Tittle and Unitas, too,” Ewbank said.
Ewbank than gave his draft reasoning. “In the first place, I think Namath was the finest quarterback in the country this year,” he said. “He has the potential of another Unitas. Secondly, a Heisman Trophy winner [Huarte], you almost have to take. In the seventh round, we had an extra choice, and our scouts liked Roberts. Quarterbacks are like defensive halfbacks — you get a lot, hoping to glean two or three you can use.”
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