in 1970, tarkenton's fourth with the giants, new york showed marked improvement, fielding their most competitive team since 1963. after an 0–3 start the giants won 9 out of their next 10, and went into their season finale against the los angeles rams with a chance to win the nfc east division. though new york took an early 3–0 lead, the rams scored the next 31 points, dashing the giants hopes and leaving them out of the playoffs. tarkenton had his best season as a giant in 1970 and made the pro bowl. much of the team's success was credited to him. teammate fred dryer later commented, "[w]ithout tarkenton, i don't think we would have won any games." running back ron johnson also made the pro bowl and ran for 1,027 yards, becoming the first giant ever to gain 1,000 yards rushing in a season, and webster was named nfl coach of the year. meanwhile, the jets, much as the giants had in 1964, fell apart, dropping to a 4–10 record after several consecutive seasons of success, with namath breaking his wrist in a super bowl iii rematch with the baltimore colts and missing the final eight games.