1996 Houston Oilers season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1996 NFL draft

Personnel

Staff

• Owner/chairman of the board/president – Bud Adams

• Executive vice-president/general manager – Floyd Reese

• Head coach – Jeff Fisher

• Offensive coordinator – Jerry Rhome

• Offensive assistant/passing game – Dick Coury

• Running backs – Sherman Smith

• Wide receivers/tight ends – Les Steckel

• Offensive line – Rennie Simmons

• Offensive assistant/quality control – Mike Munchak

• Defensive coordinator – Steve Sidwell

• Defensive line – Rex Norris

• Linebackers – Gregg Williams

• Defensive backs – Rod Perry

• Defensive assistant/quality control – Alan Lowry

• Special teams – Russ Purnell

• Strength and conditioning – Steve Watterson

Roster

53 active, 2 inactive, 3 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Standings

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

First quarter

• HOU – Al Del Greco 34-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
• HOU – Willie Davis 34-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
• KC – Tamarick Vanover 11-yard pass from Steve Bono (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Oilers 10–7. Second quarter
• KC – Pete Stoyanovich 35-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 44-yard field goal. Oilers 13–10.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 33-yard field goal. Oilers 16–10.
• KC – Lake Dawson 23-yard pass from Steve Bono (Pete Stoyanovich kick). Chiefs 17–16. Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• KC – Pete Stoyanovich 43-yard field goal. Chiefs 20–16.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 22-yard field goal. Chiefs 20–19. Top passers
• KC – Steve Bono – 21/37, 192 yards, 2 TD
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 16/29, 216 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• KC – Kimble Anders – 5 rushes, 21 yards
• HOU – Eddie George – 21 rushes, 50 yards Top receivers
• KC – Tamarick Vanover – 7 receptions, 76 yards, TD
• HOU – Chris Sanders – 2 receptions, 58 yards

Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars

First quarter

• JAC – Mike Hollis 38-yard field goal. Jaguars 3–0.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 32-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
• JAC – James Stewart 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 10–3.
• HOU – Eddie George 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Tied 10–10. Second quarter
• HOU – Malcolm Floyd 63-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 17–10.
• JAC – Mike Hollis 37-yard field goal. Oilers 17–13.
• HOU – Frank Wycheck 7-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 24–13. Third quarter
• HOU – Willie Davis 11-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 31–13.
• JAC – Jimmy Smith 5-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Oilers 31–20. Fourth quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 29-yard field goal. Oilers 34–20.
• JAC – Keenan McCardell 3-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Oilers 34–27. Top passers
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 14/22, 226 yards, 3 TD
• JAC – Mark Brunell – 27/38, 302 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
• HOU – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 143 yards, TD
• JAC – James Stewart – 17 rushes, 58 yards, TD Top receivers
• HOU – Malcolm Floyd – 3 receptions, 90 yards, TD
• JAC – Keenan McCardell – 8 receptions, 100 yards, TD

Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Top passers

• HOU – Frank Wycheck 3-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• HOU – Willie Davis 18-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Second quarter
• BAL – Michael Jackson 7-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Oilers 14–7.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 41-yard field goal. Oilers 17–7. Third quarter
• HOU – Greg Montgomery run out of own end zone. Oilers 19–7.
• HOU – Ronnie Harmon 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 26–7. Fourth quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 44-yard field goal. Oilers 29–7.
• BAL – Herman Arvie 1-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (pass failed). Oilers 29–13. Top passers
• BAL – Vinny Testaverde – 25/40, 217 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 16/27, 162 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• BAL – Earnest Byner – 19 rushes, 68 yards
• HOU – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 74 yards Top receivers
• BAL – Michael Jackson – 6 receptions, 86 yards, TD
• HOU – Frank Wycheck – 6 receptions, 64 yards, TD

Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

• PIT – Kordell Stewart 16-yard pass from Mike Tomczak (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 7–0.
• PIT – Norm Johnson 33-yard field goal. Steelers 10–0.
• PIT – Charles Johnson 62-yard pass from Mike Tomczak (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 17–0. Second quarter
• PIT – Norm Johnson 36-yard field goal. Steelers 20–0. Third quarter
• HOU – Willie Davis 4-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Steelers 20–7.
• HOU – Darryll Lewis 36-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Steelers 20–14. Fourth quarter
• PIT – Norm Johnson 36-yard field goal. Steelers 23–14.
• PIT – Darren Perry 13-yard interception return (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 30–14.
• HOU – Shayne Edge run out of own end zone. Steelers 30–16. Top passers
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 24/42, 207 yards, TD, 2 INT
• PIT – Mike Tomczak – 15/28, 202 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• HOU – Eddie George – 11 rushes, 47 yards
• PIT – Jerome Bettis – 29 rushes, 115 yards Top receivers
• HOU – Ronnie Harmon – 6 receptions, 53 yards
• PIT – Charles Johnson – 3 receptions, 87 yards, TD

Week 6: at Cincinnati Bengals

First quarter

• HOU – Al Del Greco 40-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0. Second quarter
• CIN – Doug Pelfrey 41-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
• HOU – Frank Wycheck 9-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–3.
• CIN – Jimmy Spencer 59-yard fumble return (Doug Pelfrey kick). Tied 10–10.
• CIN – Doug Pelfrey 31-yard field goal. Bengals 13–10. Third quarter
• CIN – Jeff Cothran 2-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 20–10.
• HOU – Eddie George 45-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Bengals 20–17. Fourth quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 32-yard field goal. Tied 20–20.
• CIN – Darnay Scott 1-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 27–20.
• HOU – Derek Russell 7-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Tied 27–27. Overtime
• HOU – Al Del Greco 49-yard field goal. Oilers 30–27. Top passers
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 18/32, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
• CIN – Jeff Blake – 18/37, 170 yards, TD Top rushers
• HOU – Eddie George – 26 rushes, 152 yards, TD
• CIN – Garrison Hearst – 15 rushes, 90 yards Top receivers
• HOU – Frank Wycheck – 7 receptions, 59 yards, TD
• CIN – Darnay Scott – 5 receptions, 56 yards, TD

Week 7: at Atlanta Falcons

First quarter

• HOU – Chris Sanders 62-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0. Second quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 27-yard field goal. Oilers 10–0. Third quarter
• HOU – Steve McNair 10-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 17–0. Fourth quarter
• ATL – Terance Mathis 3-yard pass from Bobby Hebert (Morten Anderson kick). Oilers 17–7.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 33-yard field goal. Oilers 20–7.
• ATL – Terance Mathis 1-yard pass from Booby Hebert (pass failed). Oilers 20–13. Top passers
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 9/13, 146 yards, TD
• ATL – Bobby Hebert – 31/46, 279 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
• HOU – Eddie George – 23 rushes, 109 yards
• ATL – Jamal Anderson – 13 rushes, 45 yards Top receivers
• HOU – Chris Sanders – 4 receptions, 100 yards, TD
• ATL – Roell Preston – 9 receptions, 69 yards

Week 8: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

• HOU – Al Del Greco 22-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
• PIT – Charles Johnson 70-yard pass from Mike Tomczak (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 7–3. Second quarter
• PIT – Norm Johnson 26-yard field goal. Steelers 10–3.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 32-yard field goal. Steelers 10–6.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 48-yard field goal. Steelers 10–9. Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• PIT – Norm Johnson 29-yard field goal. Steelers 13–9.
• HOU – Willie Davis 34-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 16–13.
• HOU – Eddie George 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 23–13. Top passers
• PIT – Mike Tomczak – 13/29, 199 yards, TD
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 23/38, 258 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• PIT – Jerome Bettis – 18 rushes, 65 yards
• HOU – Eddie George – 25 rushes, 65 yards, TD Top receivers
• PIT – Charles Johnson – 5 receptions, 155 yards, TD
• HOU – Willie Davis – 6 receptions, 88 yards, TD This would be the second-highest attended game of the season at the Astrodome, with a recorded of attendance of 50,337; however, many of these fans were Steelers' fans. Despite their home stadium being invaded by fans of the opposing team, the Oilers would win the game 23–13. This would be the last game the Oilers would win at the Astrodome.

Week 9: vs. San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

• SF – Jeff Wilkins 27-yard field goal. 49ers 3–0. Second quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 38-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 56-yard field goal. Oilers 6–3. Third quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 39-yard field goal. Oilers 9–3. Fourth quarter
• SF – Terrell Owens 20-yard pass from Jeff Brohm (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 10–9. Top passers
• SF – Jeff Brohm – 19/30, 176 yards, TD
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 7/18, 57 yards Top rushers
• SF – Terry Kirby – 12 rushes, 23 yards
• HOU – Eddie George – 22 rushes, 77 yards Top receivers
• SF – Terrell Owens – 4 receptions, 42 yards, TD
• HOU – Derek Russell – 3 receptions, 45 yards With a recorded attendance of 53,664, this would be the highest attended game of the season at the Astrodome. Like the previous game, many of the fans in attendance were rooting for the opposing team. The Oilers led for most of the game, but Jeff Brohm would lead the 49ers on what would be the game-winning drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Terrell Owens early in the fourth quarter. The Oilers would have two more chances to take the lead back, but turned the ball over on downs on one drive and quarterback Steve McNair (who had replaced an ineffective Chris Chandler) threw an interception on the Oilers' final drive.

Week 10: at Seattle Seahawks

First quarter

• HOU – Al Del Greco 35-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
• SEA – Todd Peterson 25-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Second quarter
• SEA – Todd Peterson 35-yard field goal. Seahawks 6–3. Third quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 36-yard field goal. Tied 6–6.
• SEA – Todd Peterson 44-yard field goal. Seahawks 9–6. Fourth quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Tied 9–9.
• HOU – Chris Sanders 65-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 16–9.
• SEA – Joey Galloway 14-yard pass from John Friesz (Todd Peterson kick). Tied 16–16.
• SEA – Robert Blackmon 61-yard blocked field goal return (Todd Peterson kick). Seahawks 23–16. Top passers
• HOU – Steve McNair – 12/18, 225 yards, TD, INT
• SEA – John Friesz – 24/38, 323 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• HOU – Eddie George – 25 rushes, 91 yards
• SEA – Chris Warren – 16 rushes, 34 yards Top receivers
• HOU – Chris Sanders – 1 reception, 65 yards, TD
• SEA – Joey Galloway – 8 receptions, 94 yards, TD

Week 11: at New Orleans Saints

First quarter

• HOU – Chris Sanders 42-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• HOU – Ronnie Harmon 11-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0.
• NO – Doug Brien 29-yard field goal. Oilers 14–3. Second quarter
• HOU – Erik Norgard 1-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 21–3.
• NO – Doug Brien 49-yard field goal. Oilers 21–6. Third quarter
• HOU – Eddie George 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 28–6. Fourth quarter
• NO – Michael Haynes 34-yard pass from Jim Everett (Michael Haynes run). Oilers 28–14.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 25-yard field goal. Oilers 31–14. Top passers
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 13/21, 173 yards, 3 TD, INT
• NO – Jim Everett – 16/33, 169 yards, TD Top rushers
• HOU – Eddie George – 25 rushes, 91 yards, TD
• NO – Ray Zellars – 17 rushes, 60 yards Top receivers
• HOU – Ronnie Harmon – 7 receptions, 108 yards, TD
• NO – Michael Haynes – 2 receptions, 48 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins

First quarter

• HOU – Derek Russell 18-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• HOU – Frank Wycheck 15-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Second quarter
• MIA – Irving Spikes 10-yard pass from Dan Marino (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 14–7.
• MIA – Joe Nedney 34-yard field goal. Oilers 14–10. Third quarter
• MIA – Joe Nedney 44-yard field goal. Oilers 14–13.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 30-yard field goal. Oilers 17–13. Fourth quarter
• MIA – Zach Thomas 26-yard interception return (Joe Nedney kick). Dolphins 20–17.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 33-yard field goal. Tied 20–20.
• MIA – Joe Nedney 29-yard field goal. Dolphins 23–20. Top passers
• MIA – Dan Marino – 21/28, 237 yards, TD
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 15/27, 167 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar – 18 rushes, 59 yards
• HOU – Eddie George – 15 rushes, 60 yards Top receivers
• MIA – O. J. McDuffie – 8 receptions, 86 yards
• HOU – Frank Wycheck – 5 receptions, 54 yards, TD

Week 13: vs. Carolina Panthers

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• CAR – Willie Green 30-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein (John Kasay kick). Panthers 7–0.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 24-yard field goal. Panthers 7–3.
• CAR – John Kasay 49-yard field goal. Panthers 10–3. Third quarter
• CAR – Willie Green 12-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein (John Kasay kick). Panthers 17–3. Fourth quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Panthers 17–6.
• CAR – Sam Mills 41-yard fumble return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 24–6.
• CAR – Wesley Walls 40-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein (John Kasay kick). Panthers 31–6. Top passers
• CAR – Steve Beuerlein – 11/18, 165 yards, 3 TD
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 13/22, 116 yards, INT Top rushers
• CAR – Anthony Johnson – 27 rushes, 86 yards
• HOU – Eddie George – 19 rushes, 62 yards Top receivers
• CAR – Wesley Walls – 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD
• HOU – Chris Sanders – 4 receptions, 44 yards

Week 14: at New York Jets

First quarter

• HOU – Frank Wycheck 23-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• HOU – Chris Sanders 83-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Second quarter
• NYJ – Nick Lowery 30-yard field goal. Oilers 14–3.
• HOU – Eddie George 35-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 21–3.
• NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson 18-yard pass from Frank Reich (Nick Lowery kick). Oilers 21–10. Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• HOU – Eddie George 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 28–10.
• HOU – Rodney Thomas 24-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 35–10. Top passers
• HOU – Steve McNair – 6/17, 142 yards, 2 TD
• NYJ – Frank Reich – 13/27, 154 yards, TD Top rushers
• HOU – Eddie George – 28 rushes, 141 yards, 2 TD
• NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 14 rushes, 63 yards Top receivers
• HOU – Chris Sanders – 3 receptions, 102 yards, TD
• NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson – 3 receptions, 48 yards, TD

Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

First quarter

• JAC – Natrone Means 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 7–0. Second quarter
• HOU – Ronnie Harmon 23-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Tied 7–7.
• JAC – Mike Hollis 34-yard field goal. Jaguars 10–7. Third quarter
• JAC – Natrone Means 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 17–7. Fourth quarter
• HOU – Eddie George 6-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 17–14.
• JAC – Mike Hollis 38-yard field goal. Jaguars 20–14.
• JAC – Mike Hollis 31-yard field goal. Jaguars 23–14.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 27-yard field goal. Jaguars 23–17. Top passers
• JAC – Mark Brunell – 15/25, 172 yards
• HOU – Steve McNair – 24/37, 308 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• JAC – Natrone Means – 25 rushes, 67 yards, 2 TD
• HOU – Eddie George – 16 rushes, 45 yards, TD Top receivers
• JAC – Keenan McCardell – 3 receptions, 68 yards
• HOU – Chris Sanders – 7 receptions, 127 yards

Week 16: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

First quarter

• HOU – Al Del Greco 46-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0. Second quarter
• HOU – Al Del Greco 42-yard field goal. Oilers 6–0. Third quarter
• CIN – James Hundon 14-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 7–6.
• CIN – James Francis 42-yard interception return (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 14–6. Fourth quarter
• CIN – Ki-Jana Carter 9-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 21–6.
• HOU – Frank Wycheck 16-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Bengals 21–13. Top passers
• CIN – Jeff Blake – 13/23, 158 yards, TD
• HOU – Chris Chandler – 16/29, 178 yards, 3 INT Top rushers
• CIN – Ki-Jana Carter – 4 rushes, 25 yards, TD
• HOU – Eddie George – 24 rushes, 76 yards Top receivers
• CIN – David Dunn – 7 receptions, 95 yards
• HOU – Chris Sanders – 6 receptions, 89 yards

The Oilers would keep the Bengals scoreless in the first half, but were outscored 21–7 in the second half. This was the last game the Oilers would play in Houston. With the loss, the Oilers dropped to 7–8 and finished with a home record of 2–6.

During the 1995 season, owner Bud Adams announced that the team would be relocating to Tennessee. As a result, fan attendance had been abysmal for the 1996 season, with this game reaching a new low with a recorded attendance of only 15,131. The team's move to Tennessee was not scheduled to take place until 1998, but after a season of fan apathy that resulted in attendance woes, the NFL allowed Adams to move the team a year ahead of schedule. The Oilers would have stadium issues for the next two seasons, playing each season in a different temporary home. The team would play the next season at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee before moving to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee for 1998. The team would find a new permanent home stadium in 1999 at the Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville, with the team being renamed to the Tennessee Titans.

An NFL game would not be played in Houston again until September 8, 2002, with Houston's new NFL franchise, the Houston Texans, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 19–10. The Oilers, then known as the Tennessee Titans, would return to Houston later that year on December 29 to play the Texans. Tennessee would win the game 13–3.

Week 17: at Baltimore Ravens

First quarter

• HOU – Eddie George 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• BAL – Michael Jackson 86-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Tied 7–7.
• HOU – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 10–7. Second quarter
• HOU – Willie Davis 19-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 17–7. Third quarter
• HOU – Steve McNair 24-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 24–7. Fourth quarter
• BAL – Michael Jackson 8-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Oilers 24–14.
• BAL – Michael Jackson 4-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Oilers 24–21. Top passers
• HOU – Steve McNair – 19/24, 238 yards, TD
• BAL – Vinny Testaverde – 23/32, 307 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
• HOU – Eddie George – 21 rushes, 85 yards, TD
• BAL – Bam Morris – 12 rushes, 81 yards Top receivers
• HOU – Ronnie Harmon – 3 receptions, 72 yards
• BAL – Michael Jackson – 5 receptions, 117 yards, 3 TD

The Oilers traveled to Baltimore to take on the Ravens in the season finale. The Ravens' comeback attempt fell short, with the Oilers winning the game 24–21, finishing the franchise's last season as the Houston Oilers with an 8–8 record.

References

References

1. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1996.htm 1996 Houston Oilers]
2. Hlavaty, Craig. "Remember when: Houston Oilers played their last home game at the Astrodome". Chron.
3. [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/01/sports/pro-football-nfl-owners-approve-move-to-nashville-by-the-oilers.html PRO FOOTBALL;N.F.L. Owners Approve Move To Nashville By the Oilers]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
4. [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/22/sports/oilers-hope-to-prove-lame-ducks-can-soar.html Oilers hope to prove lame ducks can soar]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
5. "1996 Houston Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
6. "1996 Houston Oilers starters, roster, and players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.