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.
Joe Namath tossed a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to lead the New York Jets to a 20-16 victory over the Houston Oilers to reach the championship game of the American Football league.
The Jets will face the winner of the Oakland at San Diego semifinal affair for the AFL title at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
George Blanda hooked up with John Carson on a 26-yard touchdown pass to give Houston a 13-6 advantage after opening drive the second half to the delight of the hometown crowd in Jeppensen Stadium.
However on New York’s first possession in the third period, Namath had an answer as he threw a bomb to Don Maynard for an 80-yard touchdown that tied the contest at 13-13.
Later in the third, George Sauer grabbed a 43-yard scoring strike from Namath for what turned out to be the game-winner at the 2:08 mark.
The only offense the Oilers could come up with in the final stanza was a 31-yard field goal by Blanda that got Houston to within four points.
Namath completed 15-of-20 passes for 348 yards and the two scores. Sauer led the Jets with five catches for 128 yards, while Maynard topped the squad with 135 yards on four receptions.
Blanda was 14-of-26 for 186 yards and a touchdown, Charley Hennigan had a game-high six catches for 92 yards as Carson finished with four grabs for 55 yards.
First Half FGs
Neither team could find the end zone in the first half as they battled to a 6-6 tied.
Blanda and Jim Turner both kicked a field goal in each quarter.
68 New York 20, 60 Houston 16
Scoring Summary
1 10:39 60 Houston FG Blanda 42 (9-37-4:03) 0-3
1 4:14 68 New York FG Turner 27 (10-60-6:10) 3-3
2 11:05 60 Houston FG Blanda 29 (13-42-7:55) 3-6
2 3:16 68 New York FG Turner 32 (12-65-7:45) 6-6
3 10:03 60 Houston TD Blanda 26 pass to Carson (Blanda) (6-47-3:39) 6-13
3 9:03 68 New York TD Namath 80 pass to Maynard (Turner,J) (2-80-1:00) 13-13
3 2:08 68 New York TD Namath 43 pass to Sauer (Turner,J) (6-90-3:56) 20-13
4 3:15 60 Houston FG Blanda 31 (10-59-4:35) 20-16
AFL Playoff Results and Schedule
Wild Card Round
68 New York 31, 64 Buffalo 21
67 Oakland 24, 69 Kansas City 0
Division Round
68 New York 20, 60 Houston 16
67 Oakland at 63 San Diego
Championship
67 Oakland at 63 San Diego winner vs. 68 New York at Cotton Bowl in Dallas