Super Bowl III (1969, N.Y. Jets 16, Baltimore 7)

An immensely important game in football history, but by no means a great game. The Jets upset of the heavily and justifiably favored Colts, was startling not just because of the apparent disparity between the two teams but between the two leagues. It is somewhat forgotten these days, but the first two Super Bowls were easy walk-overs by the Packers representing the NFL and the the Super Bowl was regarded in some quarters as something of a post-season joke, an exhibition game where the giants of the NFL would have their way with the patsies of the AFL. This game changed all that. Namath's brashness, the Jets' poise, and the shock of the great Colts team going down, probably did more to cement the merger of the two leagues than any other single event.

Not sure it was a great game, in the classic sense of how entertaining football is today, but its historical significance, as chronicled by many here, better than I could, is clear. The reason the Colts were such favorites were many. Their defense, led by middle linebacker Mike Curtis, was the hardest hitting defense in the NFL and there were several very good defenses at the time including the Dick Butkus-led Chicago Bears, the Ray Nitschke-led Green Bay Packers, the Sam Huff-led NY Giants, the LA Rams and their Fearsom Foursome. These were days when bloody uniforms were common, a separated shoulder in the first half was pushed back in, strapped up (so the player could continue the game) and the injury was termed a "slight separation. " Cortisone shots were common, both in the locker room and on the sidelines. Jets coach Weeb Ewbank, former coach of the Colts, had led the Jets to the AFL Championship, and Namath was AFL MVP. But, the Jets were not the best offense in the AFL,... Read more

I'm just going to do most of this worksheet at home.

Biggest upset in sports history? Maybe not, but definitely the biggest in Super Bowl History. The Baltimore Colts were 18 1/2 point favorites going into Miami to face The Jets in Super Bowl III. This game, perhaps wasn't so much won by The Jets, as it was lost by The Colts who made mistake after mistake.On The Colts first possession they drove steadily down the field all the way to The Jets 19 yard line. They had to settle for a FG attempt but K, Lou Michels missed from 27 yards out. At the very end of the 1st quarter The Colts got a huge break when CB Lenny Lyles knocked the ball from Jets WR, George Sauer and recovered it on The Jets 12. However on 3rd and 4 from The Jets 6, Morrall's pass for Tom Mitchell bounced off his shoulder pads and was intercepted by Randy Beverly. The Colts were turned back yet again. This was perhaps, the turning point in the game as The Jets used this interception as the springboard for an impressive 80 yard TD drive. Jets RB, Matt Snell carried the ball 6... Read more

What makes this Super Bowl special is the fact Broadway Joe Promised a victory When they werent even supposed to be in this game and he didn't just win the game he was super Bowl III MVP.

Historically, a momentous game: Broadway Joe, The Guarantee, The AFL achieving legitamacy, etc. But the game itself was a rather mundane rout. The only play of note was Earl Morrall not seeing a wide open Jimmy Orr that would have tied the game at the end of the first half. Supposedly, Morrall missed Orr because the receiver was camoflaged by the blue uniforms of the marching band that stood by the end zone.

Does anyone think Joe Namath would've even sniffed the Hall Of Fame if not for this game, even with the sam career stats? Me neither.

Rating Super Bowls based only on how good a game they were and not what they meant doesn't make this the greatest, but it was still a really good game. And this was before there was any thought put into Super Bowl MVP whatsoever. No way did Namath deserve to win over Matt Snell. It was Snell's ability to consistently move the ball and use up the clock that won the thing for the Jets. And Morrall's failure.

Let's be honest: the game was not close. Despite the fact that the Baltimore Colts had Johnny Unitas, John Mackey and Raymond Berry, the Colts were not the better team that day. Joe Namath, however, deserves all the credit as he delivered on his 'promise' and what came out of this game was far more significant than any guarantee- that is it legitimized the AFL as being a league which could compete with the NFL. Moreover, it brought modern football for what we now know it to be: an American institution.

I hear ya brotha!!! Broadway Joe guarantees victory and comes through. It can not be underestimated how important this game was in the evolutionary process of the game and league you see today. Greatest Upset in SuperBowl history to this day! Joe! Joe! Joe!

Broadway JOE!!!!! Victory that forced the merger of the NFL and AFL....creating the powerhouse league we see today. Namath guarantees the greatest upset of all time and then delivers. We're gonna win the ball game, I gurantee it!!! Jets stuff the mighty Colts without one second half pass.

This game is why the Super Bowl what it is today. Namaths guarantee is one of the biggest events in sports history. I wasn't even born yet when this happened, but i thank the jets and Namath or I wouldn't enjoy the Super Bowl today.

This was not only the most historic Super Bowl ever, it was the only time us Jets fans have had a taste of that Super Bowl victory. J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS!

Might not be the best of Super Bowl games, but will always be the most memorable. The New York media hype machine helped, but this game paved the way for the Super Bowl to become the great American spectacle that it is.

Could this not be number one, can we all move on.I still can't believe we lost.

Not only did this game prove that the underdog can win, but it put the Super Bowl on the map. If it weren't for the Jets victory, the AFL/AFC would not exist and the Super Bowl would have been discontinued. Joe Willie saved football.

The historical significance of this SB is unmatched, as it signalled to the world that the AFL could play with the NFL

This has to be one of the greatest super bowls of its time. Jets were heavily underrated and Broadway Joe Namath was taking all the hype against the braun and strength of the Baltimore Colts.