Editor’s Note: The games for the Legends of the American Football League simulation are played on computer with Action! PC Football. The contests are played with the “coaching” by a human as well as computer simulation. One season per franchise was selected for league play with the 10 teams that merged with the National Football League competing for the championship. Stories from the action will appear on Press Room Pass each Sunday until the completion of the 14-week regular season and playoffs.
The New York Jets advanced to the East Division championship game in the American Football League with a 31-21 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
With the win in Shea Stadium, New York now heads to Houston for the division title tilt against the Oilers.
New York scored three straight touchdowns in the first half as the Jets took control of the playoff affair.
Buffalo took an early lead with a touchdown as Jack Kemp found Glenn Bass for a 31-yard score, but the Jets had an answer to build a 24-7 advantage by halftime.
Matt Snell tied the affair with a 6-yard run for a score that capped a 13-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.
After the New York defense held the Bills to a three and out possession, the Jets went 87 yards in seven plays as Joe Namath found Don Maynard for a 25-yard scoring strike.
Namath and Maynard had a repeat performance with another 25-yard touchdown pass later in the second period.
Just before the half ended, Jim Turner booted a 29-yard field that gave the Jets a 17-point lead at the intermission.
Both teams couldn’t score in the third quarter, but the Bills showed signs of life early in the fourth as Kemp completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Joe Auer to cut the deficit to 24-14.
Late in the final period, Randy Beverly‘s interception return for a 28-yard touchdown sealed the victory for the Jets.
Kemp and Bass hooked up for another score in the final moments, but the game was virtually over.
Namath completed 13-of-22 passes for 252 yards, while Maynard had eight grabs for 142 of the yards with the two scores.
Kemp finished with three touchdown passes as he was 11-of-23 for 220 yards with two interceptions.
68 New York 31, 64 Buffalo 21
Scoring Summary
1 10:50 64 Buffalo TD Kemp 31 pass to Bass (Gogolak) (6-60-3:58) 7-0
1 3:11 68 New York TD Snell 6 run (Turner,J) (13-80-7:30) 7-7
2 13:05 68 New York TD Namath 25 pass to Maynard (Turner,J) (7-87-3:56) 7-14
2 5:15 68 New York TD Namath 25 pass to Maynard (Turner,J) (9-60-5:48) 7-21
2 1:13 68 New York FG Turner 29 (9-66-1:51) 7-24
4 11:46 64 Buffalo TD Kemp 14 pass to Auer (Gogolak) (8-80-5:14) 14-24
4 2:37 68 New York TD Beverly 28 interception return (Turner,J) 14-31
4 1:03 64 Buffalo TD Kemp 5 pass to Bass (Gogolak) (7-66-1:23) 21-31
AFL Playoff Results and Schedule
Wild Card Round
68 New York 31, 64 Buffalo 21
67 Oakland at 69 Kansas City
Division Round
68 New York at 60 Houston
67 Oakland-69 Kansas City winner at 63 San Diego
Championship
West vs. East at Cotton Bowl in Dallas