The 1980 New York Jets season was the 21st season for the franchise and its eleventh in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 8âÂÂ8 record from 1979 under head coach Walt Michaels, and being widely predicted to improve further and reach the postseason for the first time since 1969. The Jets finished the season with a record of 4âÂÂ12.
During the season, the Jets were the only team to lose to the notorious New Orleans Saints team, dubbed the âÂÂAintsâÂÂ. On a day with a wind-chill temperature of and kicking with a gale of 46mph, the Jets failed to hold on to a 13âÂÂ7 lead after three quarters, losing by a single point, 21âÂÂ20.
History would repeat itself 11 years later, when the Jets lost 28âÂÂ27 at home to the Indianapolis Colts, the Coltsâ lone victory of that season.