THE NFL 1996 : Jets Defeat Cardinals for First Win, 31-21

On their day of deliverance, the New York Jets got a look at a brighter future in Keyshawn Johnson and Adrian Murrell.

The Arizona Cardinals caught another glimpse of a long, wretched past.

Johnson had a 34-yard scoring catch among his seven receptions for 94 yards, and Murrell put the game out of reach with a 78-yard run late in the fourth quarter as the Jets defeated Arizona, 31-21, to end a franchise-record 12-game losing streak.

“We had a couple of situations that, in the previous eight games we have have screwed up and found a way to lose,” New York Coach Rich Kotite said.

The Jets had other heroes, including Lonnie Young, who sealed the victory by intercepting Kent Graham in the end zone with 2:16 remaining. But on offense it was primarily Frank Reich getting the ball to Johnson, the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, and Murrell, a fourth-year back coming into his own.

In his biggest play, Murrell burst off-tackle and ran straight until Aeneas Williams jumped on his back at the Arizona two-yard line.

“I just should do more wind sprints,” Murrell said about being caught by the speedy cornerback.

Reggie Cobb scored on the next play, giving the Jets a 31-21 lead with 4:55 to play.

Murrell, who had a team-record 199 yards in 31 carries, made it 24-14 early in the final period when he scored on a one-yard run.

The Jets (1-8) took a 17-0 halftime lead on a 37-yard field goal by Nick Lowery, Reich’s pass to Johnson and a one-yard run by Richie Anderson.

Reich completed 22 of 31 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown, overcoming two interceptions by Williams.

Graham brought the Cardinals (3-5) back to 17-14 in the third quarter when he threw touchdown passes of one and two yards to Larry Centers. Graham also passed for a final score in the fourth quarter, a six-yard pass to former Jet Rob Moore.