Complex sentence: A rough 4--12 season in 1980 was followed by an 0--3 start but the Jets surged to a 10-win season to secure their first playoff berth since 1969.
Split into simpler sentences: A rough 4--12 season in 1980 was followed by an 0--3 start. Despite this the Jets surged to win ten games, securing their first playoff berth since 1969.