Hard to compare AFL and NFL, but I was thinking more like 1980 into 1981. Still losses, but much closer games and the emergence of some top shelf players, then after a bad start in '81, they suddenly gel. You wonder what next year's Todd to Barkum will be.
The biggest difference between '67 and '68 was that Namath dialed it down and protected the ball. Still, in between INT's '67 was a blast to watch Namath to Sauer-Maynard-Lammons week in, week out, maybe the most entertaining season in their history.
There has always been talk about the 1968 championship but the truth was that although the Jets did indeed have a good team, they played in a weak division, only had to (barely) win one game aided by cold winds and one incredibly lucky Supper Bowl win. Of course, if you watch the film was it luck or Earl Morrall getting paid to take a dive? Besides, the tix said "AFL-NFL Championship", not "Super Bowl". It was one of the most important and impactful games in NFL history so better the Jets did it rather than the Raiders or Chiefs.
We still need real championship here, with multiple playoff wins and a legit Super Bowl win. At least it brings the discussion into the modern era