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By PAUL SOKOLOSKI; Times Leader Sports Writer
Monday, November 22, 1993 Page:
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With Hall of Famers Joe Namath, Weeb Ewbank and
the rest of the 1969 Super Bowl champion New York Jets watching, their 1993
ancestors were shooting for respect.
“It really would be disappointing losing a game when Joe and all the boys
are here,” current Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason said.
So using 192 passing yards from Esiason in a conservative offensive game
plan, the Jets pinned Cincinnati, 17-12, and gave New York’s old heroes
something to smile about.
The Jets of 1968-69 celebrated the 25th anniversary of their improbable
16-7 victory over highly favored Baltimore in the Super Bowl during a halftime
ceremony at Giants Stadium that included former Jets player/assistant/head
coach Walt Michaels of Swoyersville.
“It was important for us to win the respect of those guys of ’68,” Esiason
said.
The Jets are quickly earning everyone’s respect. They won for the fourth
straight time, improving to 6-4, while the hapless Bengals dropped to 0-10.
“I thought our team played its heart out,” Bengals coach David Shula said.
“We gave it everything we had and just came up short again.”
That’s because Esiason — traded from the Bengals in the offseason —
completed 17 of 26 passes against his old teammates as New York built a 17-3
lead and played it safe for the win.
“Every win’s not going to be pretty,” said Jets receiver Rob Moore, who
caught seven passes for 47 yards.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we won it,” Esiason said. “That’s all that counts.”
Brad Baxter scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter and Johnny Johnson
scored on a 6-yard run as the Jets took a 14-3 lead by halftime.
Esiason’s 48-yard pass to Johnson set up the second score. Cary Blanchard
then hit a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, moving the Jets’ lead to
17-3.
Cincinnati took a 3-0 lead on Doug Pelfrey’s 28-yard field goal on the
first Bengal possession, then tried to rally at the end.
Jeff Query took a 4-yard touchdown pass from David Klingler, and the
Bengals pulled within 17-12 on a safety with a second remaining.
But the Jets successfully defended a series of laterals on the ensuing
punt, finishing Cincinnati’s comeback hopes.
“We’re going to win one soon,” said Bengals center Bruce Kozerski, a former
Coughlin High School star. “This is a very, very young ballclub that’s getting
better every week. This team is progressing rapidly. If we dwell on the fact
that we’re 0-10, then we won’t get anything done.”
Michaels among Jets honored
— Page 8C