1988 Houston Oilers season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1988 NFL draft

Personnel

• Owner/Chairman of the Board/President – Bud Adams

• Executive Vice President/General Manager – Ladd Herzeg

• Head Coach – Jerry Glanville

• Quarterbacks – June Jones

• Running Backs – Ray Sherman

• Receivers – Milt Jackson

• Tight Ends – Richard Smith

• Offensive Line – Kim Helton

• Defensive Line – Doug Shively

• Linebackers – Floyd Reese

• Secondary – Nick Saban

• Special Teams – Richard Smith

• Special Teams Intern- Dwight Point

• Strength and Rehabilitation – Steve Watterson

Roster

47 active, 10 inactive

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

Week 1

;Oilers ;Colts The game started at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 4, 1988, in Hoosier Dome.

First Quarter:

• Touchdown, Gary Hogeboom to Matt Bouza, 23 yard pass (Indianapolis Colts).
• Touchdown, Steve Brown, 44 yard interception return (Houston Oilers).

Second Quarter:

• Touchdown, Albert Bentley, 1 yard rush (Indianapolis Colts).
• Touchdown, Mike Rozier, 1 yard rush (Houston Oilers).

Third Quarter: No points scored.

Fourth Quarter: No points scored.

Overtime:

• Field Goal, Tony Zendejas, 35 yard kick (Houston Oilers).

The game ended in overtime at 17-14, with the Houston Oilers on top.

Week 2

;Raiders ;Oilers The game started at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 11, 1988. The game was played at the Houston Astrodome. In the first quarter, Marcus Allen of the Raiders rushed one yard for a touchdown. That same quarter, Allen Pinkett of the Oilers rushed three yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Willie Gault of the Raiders received a 42-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein for a touchdown. In that quarter, Tim Brown of the Raiders also received a 4-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein for another touchdown. Allen Pinkett of the Oilers rushed for a one-yard touchdown in the same quarter, Steve Smith of the Raiders received a 9-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein in the same quarter, Drew Hill received a 16-yard pass from Cody Carlson of the Oilers for the fifth touchdown in that quarter between both teams. In the third quarter, Tony Zendejas kicked a 19-yard field goal for the Oilers. In the fourth quarter, Ernest Givins of the Oilers received a 12-yard touchdown pass from Cody Carlson. Also in that quarter, Marcus Allen of the Raiders rushed one yard for a touchdown. Allen Pinkett of the Oilers brought back the lead on that quarter, rushing 6 yards for a touchdown. Eventually, the game ended 38-35 with the Oilers on top, resulting in a win.

Week 3

;Oilers ;Jets The game started at 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 18, 1988. The game was played at Giants Stadium. In the first quarter, Tony Zendejas of the Oilers kicked a 30-yard field goal, scoring the only points of the game for the Oilers. Kurt Sohn of the New York Jets received a 8-yard pass from Ken O'Brien for a touchdown in the same quarter. Also in the first quarter, Freeman McNeil of the New York Jets rushed 8 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Wesley Walker of the New York Jets received two touchdown passes from . Ken O'Brien, with the distances being 4-yards and 50-yards. In the third quarter, Pat Leahy of the Jets kicked a 47-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Wesley Walker received a 23-yard pass from Pat Ryan, resulting in a touchdown. Also in that quarter, Mike Zordich of the Jets intercepted a pass, and ran 35 yards for a touchdown. The final score was 45-3, with the New York Jets on top. This game was a loss for the Oilers.

Week 4

;Patriots ;Oilers

Week 5

;Oilers ;Eagles

Week 6

;Chiefs ;Oilers

Week 7

;Oilers ;Steelers

Week 8

;Oilers ;Eagles

Week 9

;Redskins ;Oilers

Week 10

;Browns ;Oilers

Week 11

;Oilers ;Seahawks

Week 12

;Cardinals ;Oilers

Week 13

;Oilers ;Cowboys This would be Houston's last win on the road against the Cowboys until 2024.

Week 14

;Steelers ;Oilers

Week 15

;Bengals ;Oilers

Week 16

;Oilers ;Browns

Standings

Playoffs

AFC Wild Card

;Oilers ;Browns

This was the last time an NFL team from Houston won a playoff game on the road. The Oilers would lose their next four road playoff games in Houston, and the Houston Texans are 0-6 in road playoff games as of 2024.

AFC Divisional

;Oilers ;Bills

Awards and records

• Warren Moon, Pro Bowl
• Warren Moon, All-Pro selection

Milestones

• Drew Hill, 3rd 1,000 Yard Receiving Season (1,141)

References

References

1. "1988 Houston Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
2. "Los Angeles Raiders at Houston Oilers - September 11th, 1988".