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1979 Houston Oilers season

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1979 Houston Oilers season
OwnerBud Adams
General managerBum Phillips
Head coachBum Phillips
Home fieldAstrodome
Results
Record11–5
Division place2nd AFC Central
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Broncos) 13–7
Won Divisional Playoffs
(at Chargers) 17–14
Lost AFC Championship
(at Steelers) 13–27
Pro Bowlers
Houston's defensive line blocking a San Diego rushing attempt during the 1979 AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

The 1979 Houston Oilers season was the franchise's 20th overall and the tenth in the National Football League. The franchise scored 362 points while the defense gave up 331 points. Their record of 11 wins and 5 losses resulted in a second-place finish in the AFC Central Division. The Oilers appeared once on Monday Night Football on December 10, 1979 where the sports promotion Luv ya Blue was launched and returned to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year. Earl Campbell would lead the NFL in rushing for the second consecutive year and set a franchise record for most touchdowns in a season with 19. The Oilers would make the playoffs again as a wild card. In the wild card game, they beat the Denver Broncos 13-7, and then defeated the San Diego Chargers 17-14 in San Diego to reach their second straight AFC Championship game. They played the Pittsburgh Steelers, who a year earlier had eliminated them 34-5 in the previous AFC Championship game. The Oilers lost the game 27-13. The game included a controversial moment in which wide receiver Mike Renfro had a touchdown called back after the referees of the game took a long time to decide the ruling on the field. The call went down as one of the most controversial calls in NFL history.

As of 2024, this is the most recent season a Houston-based team has reached the AFC Championship Game. The Oilers franchise would not do so again for twenty seasons, by which time they had re-located and become the Tennessee Titans, while Houston's current NFL team has yet to advance past the divisional round.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1979 NFL draft
1979 Houston Oilers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
2 31 Mike Stensrud  Defensive tackle Iowa State
2 50 Jesse Baker  Defensive end Jacksonville State
3 72 Kenny King *  Running back Oklahoma
6 143 Daryl Hunt  Linebacker Oklahoma
6 159 Mike Murphy  Linebacker Missouri State
7 171 Tim Ries  Defensive back Missouri State
8 214 Carter Hartwig  Defensive back USC
9 243 Richard Ellender  Wide receiver McNeese State
11 298 Mike Taylor  Offensive tackle Georgia Tech
12 324 Wayne Wilson  Running back Shephard College
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[1]

Personnel

Staff

1979 Houston Oilers staff

Front office

Head coaches

  • Head Coach – Bum Phillips

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams – John Paul Young



Roster

1979 Houston Oilers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)
  • 56 Mike Murphy OLB

Defensive backs (DB) {{{defensive_back}}}

Special teams

Reserve


Rookies in italics

[2]

Pre season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Time TV Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 August 2 St. Louis Cardinals 7:30 p.m. CDT KPRC-TV W 9–7 1–0 Astrodome 46,252
2 August 12 New York Jets 12:30 p.m. CDT NBC L 14–26 1–1 Astrodome 43,350
3 August 18 at Dallas Cowboys 8:00 p.m. CDT ABC L 13–16 1–2 Texas Stadium 62,803
4 August 24 at New Orleans Saints 7:00 p.m. CDT KPRC-TV L 7–10 1–3 Louisiana Superdome 54,469

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Time TV Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 2 at Washington Redskins 12 Noon CDT NBC W 29–27 1–0 RFK Stadium 54,582 Recap
2 September 9 at Pittsburgh Steelers 12 Noon CDT NBC L 7–38 1–1 Three Rivers Stadium 49,792 Recap
3 September 16 Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 p.m. CDT NBC W 20–6 2–1 Astrodome 45,684 Recap
4 September 23 at Cincinnati Bengals 12 Noon CDT NBC W 30–27 3–1 Riverfront Stadium 45,615 Recap
5 September 30 Cleveland Browns 1:00 p.m. CDT NBC W 31–10 4–1 Astrodome 48,915 Recap
6 October 7 St. Louis Cardinals 1:00 p.m. CDT CBS L 17–24 4–2 Astrodome 53,043 Recap
7 October 14 at Baltimore Colts 1:00 p.m. CDT NBC W 28–16 5–2 Memorial Stadium 45,021 Recap
8 October 21 at Seattle Seahawks 3:00 p.m. CDT NBC L 14–34 5–3 Kingdome 60,705 Recap
9 October 28 New York Jets 12 Noon CST NBC W 27–24 6–3 Astrodome 45,825 Recap
10 November 5 at Miami Dolphins 8:00 p.m. CST ABC W 9–6 7–3 Miami Orange Bowl 70,273 Recap
11 November 11 Oakland Raiders 12 Noon CST NBC W 31–17 8–3 Astrodome 48,614 Recap
12 November 18 Cincinnati Bengals 3:00 p.m. CST NBC W 42–21 9–3 Astrodome 49,829 Recap
13 November 22 at Dallas Cowboys 3:00 p.m. CST NBC W 30–24 10–3 Texas Stadium 63,897 Recap
14 December 2 at Cleveland Browns 12 Noon CST NBC L 7–14 10–4 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 69,112 Recap
15 December 10 Pittsburgh Steelers 8:00 p.m. CST ABC W 20–17 11–4 Astrodome 55,293 Recap
16 December 16 Philadelphia Eagles 3:00 p.m. CDT CBS L 20–26 11–5 Astrodome 49,407 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

AFC Central
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Pittsburgh Steelers(2) 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 416 262 W1
Houston Oilers(4) 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 362 331 L1
Cleveland Browns 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 359 352 L2
Cincinnati Bengals 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 337 421 W1

Regular Season Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 2, 1979): at Washington Redskins

[3]

Week 1: Houston Oilers 29 at Washington Redskins 27 – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Oilers (1–0) 6 0 71629
Redskins (0–1) 0 17 7327

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

Team Category Player Statistics
HOU Passing Dan Pastorini 12/30, 176 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing Earl Campbell 32 CAR, 166 YDS, 2 TDs
Receiving Billy Johnson 4 REC, 76 YDS, 1 TD
WSH Passing Joe Theismann 7/14, 123 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Benny Malone 17 CAR, 58 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Jean Fugett 3 REC, 55 YDS, 2 TDs
Oilers Game Statistics Redskins
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of Possession

Week 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 4 at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 5 vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 6 (Sunday, October 7, 1979): vs. St. Louis Cardinals

[5]

Week 6: St. Louis Cardinals 24 at Houston Oilers 17 – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals (2–4) 0 7 31424
Oilers (4–2) 0 14 0317

at Astrodome • Houston, Texas

Team Category Player Statistics
STL Passing Jim Hart 23/38, 253 YDS, 3 INTs
Rushing Ottis Anderson 16 CAR, 109 YDS
Receiving Pat Tilley 6 REC, 69 YDS
HOU Passing Dan Pastorini 15/29, 176 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Earl Campbell 13 CAR, 53 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Ken Burrough 5 REC, 62 YDS, 1 TD
Cardinals Game Statistics Oilers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of Possession

Week 7 at Baltimore Colts

Week 8 at Seattle Seahawks

Week 9 vs. New York Jets

Week 10 at Miami Dolphins

Week 11 vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 12 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 13 (Thursday, November 22, 1979): at Dallas Cowboys

Main article: NFL on Thanksgiving Day

[7]

Week 13: Houston Oilers 30 at Dallas Cowboys 24 – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Oilers (10–3) 7 10 6730
Cowboys (8–5) 14 7 0324

at Texas Stadium • Irving, Texas

Team Category Player Statistics
HOU Passing Dan Pastorini 9/17, 163 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing Earl Campbell 33 CAR, 195 YDS, 2 TDs
Receiving Ken Burrough 3 REC, 55 YDS, 1 TD
DAL Passing Roger Staubach 21/30, 287 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Tony Dorsett 12 CAR, 54 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Tony Dorsett 5 REC, 36 YDS
Oilers Game Statistics Cowboys
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of Possession

Week 14 at Cleveland Browns

Week 15 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 16 (Sunday, December 16, 1979): vs. Philadelphia Eagles

[9]

Week 16: Philadelphia Eagles 26 at Houston Oilers 20 – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles (11–5) 9 3 7726
Oilers (11–5) 0 10 01020

at Astrodome • Houston, Texas

Team Category Player Statistics
PHI Passing Ron Jaworski 12/21, 163 YDS
Rushing Billy Campfield 7 CAR, 68 YDS
Receiving Wilbert Montgomery 5 REC, 51 YDS
HOU Passing Dan Pastorini 7/14, 85 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Earl Campbell 16 CAR, 134 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Mike Renfro 3 REC, 67 YDS, 1 TD
Eagles Game Statistics Oilers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of Possession

Postseason

Main article: 1979–80 NFL playoffs

Playoffs

Round Date Opponent Time TV Result Venue Attendance Recap
Wild Card December 23 Denver Broncos 3:00 p.m. CST NBC W 13–7 Astrodome 48,776
Divisional December 29 at San Diego Chargers 3:00 p.m. CST NBC W 17–14 San Diego Stadium 51,192
AFC Championship January 6, 1980 at Pittsburgh Steelers 12 Noon CST NBC L 13–27 Three Rivers Stadium 50,475

AFC Wild Card vs. Denver Broncos

Houston Oilers 13, Denver Broncos 7
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 007
Oilers 3 7 0313

at Astrodome, Houston

The Oilers managed to shut down the Broncos offense for most of the game en route to a 13–7 win.

AFC Divisional Playoff at San Diego Chargers

Houston Oilers 17, San Diego Chargers 14
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 10 7017
Chargers 7 0 7014

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego

The Oilers offense, playing without starting quarterback Dan Pastorini, receiver Ken Burrough, and running back Earl Campbell, could only generate 259 yards compared to San Diego's 385. But they still won the game, largely due to the effort of rookie safety Vernon Perry, who set a playoff record with 4 interceptions as the Oilers defeated the Chargers, 17–14. In his first career playoff game, Chargers future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts threw for 333 yards, but was intercepted 5 times.

AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Houston Oilers 13
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Oilers 7 3 0313
Steelers 3 14 01027

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Steelers held the Oilers to only 24 rushing yards, but were also aided by a controversial non-touchdown call on Mike Renfro to come away with a 27–13 win.

Awards and records

Milestones

  • Earl Campbell, 2nd 1,000 yard rushing season
  • Earl Campbell, 2nd NFL Rushing Title

References

  1. ^ "1979 Houston Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  2. ^ "1979 Houston Oilers starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  3. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Jan-13.
  4. ^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Washington Redskins – September 2, 1979
  5. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Jan-15.
  6. ^ Pro Football Reference; St Louis Cardinals at Houston Oilers – October 7, 1979
  7. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Jan-14.
  8. ^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Dallas Cowboys – November 22, 1979
  9. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2023-Jan-15.
  10. ^ Pro Football Reference; Philadelphia Eagles at Houston Oilers – December 16, 1979
  11. ^ "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients". Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
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