1998 New York Jets season

The 1998 New York Jets season was the 39th season for the team and the 29th in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 9–7 record from 1997 and finished 12–4 in their second season under head coach Bill Parcells, winning their first division title since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970; the 12–4 record was also the best in Jets history. In the process, they also earned their first first-round bye, given to the two division winners with the best records. They defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Their attempt to reach their first Super Bowl in thirty years fell short when they lost to John Elway and the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game 23–10.

The 1998 Jets are one of only two teams in NFL history^[1] to win seven games against teams that would go on to make the playoffs.^[2]

Offseason

In the offseason, the Jets signed New England Patriots running back Curtis Martin to an offer sheet. The Patriots had offered Martin, their star running back, a tender deal that would net them a first-round pick and a third-round pick if a team signed him. Jets coach and general manager Bill Parcells, who had left New England two years prior and still harbored some bad blood with the team, offered Martin a very large contract that the Patriots were unwilling to match, further fueling the rivalry between the teams.

In addition, the Jets parted ways with veteran quarterback Neil O'Donnell after two seasons and signed another veteran, Vinny Testaverde, to serve as backup to Glenn Foley. Testaverde eventually succeeded Foley as the starter and led the Jets to their division title. On defense, New York added former Miami Dolphins linebacker Bryan Cox.

NFL Draft

Regular season

Schedule

Standings

Playoffs

Awards and records

Milestones

References

External links

• 1998 team stats
• 1998 New York Jets video

v t e New York Jets Formerly the New York Titans • Plays in East Rutherford, New Jersey • Headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey The Franchise Franchise • History • Seasons • Players • Coaches • Logos and Uniforms • First-round draft picks • Quarterbacks • Broadcasters • Flight Crew Stadiums Polo Grounds • Shea Stadium • Giants Stadium • MetLife Stadium Culture American Football League • Fireman Ed • West Side Stadium Rivalries Miami Dolphins • New England Patriots • New York Giants Lore Heidi Game • The Guarantee • New York Sack Exchange • The Clock Play • The Monday Night Miracle • Spygate Key Personnel Owner: Woody Johnson • General Manager: Mike Tannenbaum • Head Coach: Rex Ryan League Championships (1) 1968 AFL Championship (1) 1968 Super Bowl (1) 1968 (III) Retired Numbers 12 • 13 • 73 • Weeb Current League Affiliations League: National Football League • Conference: American Football Conference • Division: East Division • Radio: WEPN   Seasons (53) 1960s 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 1970s 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 1980s 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 1990s 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 2000s 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 2010s 2010 • 2011 • 2012 Book:New York Jets