A rough 4–12 season in 1980 was followed by an 0–3 start in 1981. Following a 31–30 loss to the Bengals an ugly Monday press conference occurred. Michaels angrily confronted New York Daily News writer Bill Verigan an hour before the press conference, then in the ensuing conference Michaels' eyes were described as "glazed" and his speech "slurred." Despite this the Jets surged to win ten games, securing their first playoff berth since 1969, also their first berth since joining the NFL in 1970. The year's success ended with a 31–27 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card game.