1997 Tennessee Oilers season

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1997 NFL draft

Personnel

Staff

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

• Executive vice-president/general manager – Floyd Reese

• Director of player personnel – Rich Snead

• Director of college scouting – Glenn Cumbee

• Director of Regional Scouting – Mike Holovak

• Head coach – Jeff Fisher

• Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Les Steckel

• Running backs – Sherman Smith

• Wide receivers – Alan Lowry

• Offensive line/tight ends – George Henshaw

• Offensive line – Mike Munchak

• Offensive assistant/quality control – Bart Andrus

• Defensive coordinator – Gregg Williams

• Defensive line – Rex Norris

• Linebackers – O'Neill Gilbert

• Defensive backs – Greg Brown

• Defensive assistant/quality control – Jerry Gray

• Special teams – Russ Purnell

• Strength and conditioning – Steve Watterson

Roster

• Kendrick Burton DE (Susp.) [[Image:Injury icon.svg|7px]]

53 active, 3 inactive, 3 practice squad

Preseason

Regular season

The Oilers' new stadium would not be ready until 1999, however, and the largest stadium in Nashville at the time, Vanderbilt Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University, seated only 41,000. At first, Bud Adams rejected Vanderbilt Stadium even as a temporary facility and announced that the renamed Tennessee Oilers would play the next two seasons at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis. The team would be based in Nashville, commuting to Memphis only for games—in effect, consigning the Oilers to 32 road games for the next two years. Even though this arrangement was acceptable to the NFL and the Oilers at the time, few people in either Memphis or Nashville were pleased by it. Memphis had made numerous attempts to get an NFL team (including the Memphis Hound Dogs and the Memphis Grizzlies court case), and many people in the area wanted nothing to do with a team that would be lost in only two years—especially to longtime rival Nashville. Conversely, Nashvillians showed little inclination to drive over 200 miles (300 km) to see "their" team. As a result, attendance at the Liberty Bowl was disastrous: on at least two occasions, fewer than 18,000 fans came to the stadium to see the Oilers, a number smaller than the attendance figures the team was getting in Houston after they had announced the move, and smaller than the fan bases the USFL's Memphis Showboats and XFL's Memphis Maniax had drawn/would draw to the same stadium. If not for the attendance of fans supporting the Oilers' opponents, attendance would likely have even been smaller than it was for the CFL's Memphis Mad Dogs. Even in weeks when the Oilers drew over 30,000 fans (which only happened twice), many of the attendees were fans of the opposing team, padding the attendance totals.

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders

First quarter

• TEN – Al Del Greco 30-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
• TEN – Chris Sanders 48-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0. Second quarter
• No scoring plays Third quarter
• TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 13–0.
• OAK – Tim Brown 59-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Oilers 13–7. Fourth quarter
• OAK – Tim Brown 27-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Raiders 14–13.
• TEN – Eddie George 29-yard run (Eddie George run). Oilers 21–14.
• OAK – Tim Brown 16-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Tied 21–21. Overtime
• TEN – Al Del Greco 33-yard field goal. Oilers 24–21. Top passers
• OAK – Jeff George – 21/37, 298 yards, 3 TD
• TEN – Steve McNair – 13/25, 182 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• OAK – Napoleon Kaufman – 12 rushes, 32 yards
• TEN – Eddie George – 35 rushes, 216 yards, TD Top receivers
• OAK – Tim Brown – 8 receptions, 158 yards, 3 TD
• TEN – Ronnie Harmon – 5 receptions, 50 yards

Week 2: at Miami Dolphins

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• MIA – Olindo Mare 23-yard field goal. Dolphins 3–0.
• TEN – Eddie George 13-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–3.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 24-yard field goal. Oilers 10–3. Third quarter
• MIA – Olindo Mare 22-yard field goal. Oilers 10–6.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 13–6. Fourth quarter
• MIA – Irving Spikes 2-yard run (Olindo Mare kick). Tied 13–13. Overtime
• MIA – Olindo Mare 29-yard field goal. Dolphins 16–13. Top passers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 7/14, 109 yards, INT
• MIA – Dan Marino – 24/43, 324 yards Top rushers
• TEN – Eddie George – 23 rushes, 106 yards, TD
• MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar – 19 rushes, 33 yards Top receivers
• TEN – Chris Sanders – 3 receptions, 58 yards
• MIA – O. J. McDuffie – 8 receptions, 135 yards

Week 4: vs. Baltimore Ravens

First quarter

• BAL – Matt Stover 38-yard field goal. Ravens 3–0.
• TEN – Frank Wycheck 36-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–3. Second quarter
• BAL – Derrick Alexander 25-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 10–7.
• BAL – Derrick Alexander 5-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 17–7.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Ravens 17–10.
• BAL – Matt Stover 42-yard field goal. Ravens 20–10. Third quarter
• BAL – Matt Stover 41-yard field goal. Ravens 23–10. Fourth quarter
• BAL – Jermaine Lewis 16-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 30–10.
• BAL – Matt Stover 34-yard field goal. Ravens 33–10.
• BAL – Matt Stover 35-yard field goal. Ravens 36–10. Top passers
• BAL – Vinny Testaverde – 23/37, 318 yards, 3 TD
• TEN – Steve McNair – 20/33, 199 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• BAL – Jay Graham – 9 rushes, 51 yards
• TEN – Eddie George – 10 rushes, 40 yards Top receivers
• BAL – Jermaine Lewis – 8 receptions, 124 yards, TD
• TEN – Frank Wycheck – 3 receptions, 55 yards, TD

Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

• PIT – Kordell Stewart 7-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 7–0.
• PIT – Norm Johnson 48-yard field goal. Steelers 10–0. Second quarter
• PIT – Jason Gildon 12-yard fumble return (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 17–0.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Steelers 17–3.
• PIT – Mark Bruener 18-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 24–3.
• PIT – Kordell Stewart 2-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 31–3.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 47-yard field goal. Steelers 31–6. Third quarter
• TEN – Al Del Greco 26-yard field goal. Steelers 31–9.
• PIT – Norm Johnson 25-yard field goal. Steelers 34–9. Fourth quarter
• PIT – Norm Johnson 44-yard field goal. Steelers 37–9.
• TEN – Frank Wycheck 10-yard pass from Steve McNair (Steve McNair pass to Frank Wycheck). Steelers 37–17.
• TEN – Willie Davis 11-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Steelers 37–24. Top passers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 22/43, 266 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
• PIT – Kordell Stewart – 16/24, 244 yards, TD Top rushers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 3 rushes, 29 yards
• PIT – Jerome Bettis – 18 rushes, 74 yards Top receivers
• TEN – Frank Wycheck – 9 receptions, 72 yards, TD
• PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 5 receptions, 89 yards

Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks

First quarter

• TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0. Second quarter
• TEN – Eddie George 11-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0. Third quarter
• SEA – Todd Peterson 38-yard field goal. Oilers 10–3.
• SEA – Steve Broussard 77-yard run (Todd Peterson kick). Tied 10–10. Fourth quarter
• SEA – Steve Broussard 43-yard run (kick failed). Seahawks 16–10.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 43-yard field goal. Seahawks 16–13. Top passers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 12/28, 101 yards, TD, 2 INT
• SEA – Warren Moon – 27/40, 260 yards Top rushers
• TEN – Eddie George – 26 rushes, 116 yards
• SEA – Steve Broussard – 6 rushes, 138 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• TEN – Frank Wycheck – 4 receptions, 41 yards
• SEA – Mike Pritchard – 7 receptions, 75 yards

Week 7: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

First quarter

• TEN – Willie Davis 9-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0. Second quarter
• TEN – Frank Wycheck 39-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Third quarter
• TEN – Al Del Greco 47-yard field goal. Oilers 17–0.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Oilers 20–0. Fourth quarter
• TEN – Willie Davis 10-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 27–0.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 19-yard field goal. Oilers 30–0.
• CIN – Corey Dillon 21-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Oilers 30–7. Top passers
• CIN – Jeff Blake – 14/28, 130 yards
• TEN – Steve McNair – 16/30, 199 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
• CIN – Corey Dillon – 8 rushes, 39 yards, TD
• TEN – Eddie George – 30 rushes, 106 yards Top receivers
• CIN – Eric Bieniemy – 5 receptions, 42 yards
• TEN – Frank Wycheck – 4 receptions, 78 yards, TD

Week 8: vs. Washington Redskins

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• TEN – Steve McNair 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• TEN – Eddie George 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Third quarter
• TEN – Rodney Thomas 5-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 21–0.
• WAS – Henry Ellard 13-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Oilers 21–7.
• WAS – Henry Ellard 10-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Oilers 21–14. Fourth quarter
• TEN – Eddie George 6-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 28–14. Top passers
• WAS – Gus Frerotte – 16/31, 228 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
• TEN – Steve McNair – 13/21, 192 yards Top rushers
• WAS – Stephen Davis – 13 rushes, 45 yards
• TEN – Eddie George – 31 rushes, 125 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• WAS – Henry Ellard – 6 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TD
• TEN – Willie Davis – 5 receptions, 72 yards

Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals

First quarter

• TEN – Al Del Greco 52-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0. Second quarter
• TEN – Denard Walker 39-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 42-yard field goal. Oilers 13–0.
• TEN – Steve McNair 35-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 20–0. Third quarter
• TEN – Steve McNair 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 27–0.
• ARI – Rob Moore 12-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 27–7.
• TEN – Chris Sanders 55-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 34–7. Fourth quarter
• TEN – Chris Sanders 20-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 41–7.
• ARI – Rob Moore 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 41–14. Top passers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 9/17, 146 yards, 2 TD
• ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/40, 195 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT Top rushers
• TEN – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 71 yards
• ARI – Larry Centers – 14 rushes, 57 yards Top receivers
• TEN – Chris Sanders – 2 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD
• ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 98 yards

Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

First quarter

• TEN – Darryl Lewis 47-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• JAC – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal. Oilers 7–3.
• JAC – Chris Hudson 32-yard fumble return (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 10–7.
• JAC – Pete Mitchell 6-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 17–7. Second quarter
• TEN – Al Del Greco 36-yard field goal. Jaguars 17–10.
• JAC – Mark Brunell 6-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 24–10. Third quarter
• JAC – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal. Jaguars 27–10.
• TEN – Rodney Thomas 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 27–17. Fourth quarter
• JAC – Mike Hollis 37-yard field goal. Jaguars 30–17.
• TEN – Eddie George 5-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 30–24. Top passers
• JAC – Mark Brunell – 17/31, 169 yards, TD, INT
• TEN – Steve McNair – 13/22, 211 yards, INT Top rushers
• JAC – James Stewart – 17 rushes, 99 yards
• TEN – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 51 yards, TD Top receivers
• JAC – Jimmy Smith – 5 receptions, 50 yards
• TEN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 83 yards

Week 11: vs. New York Giants

First quarter

• TEN – Al Del Greco 31-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0. Second quarter
• TEN – Eddie George 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
• NYG – Brad Daluiso 42-yard field goal. Oilers 10–3. Third quarter
• NYG – Brad Daluiso 41-yard field goal. Oilers 10–6. Fourth quarter
• No scoring plays Top passers
• NYG – Danny Kanell – 15/28, 133 yards, INT
• TEN – Steve McNair – 13/23, 183 yards, INT Top rushers
• NYG – Tyrone Wheatley – 13 rushes, 94 yards
• TEN – Eddie George – 32 rushes, 122 yards, TD Top receivers
• NYG – Chris Calloway – 4 receptions, 65 yards
• TEN – Chris Sanders – 3 receptions, 64 yards

Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• JAC – Keenan McCardell 17-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 7–0.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 35-yard field goal. Jaguars 7–3. Third quarter
• JAC – Natrone Means 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 14–3. Fourth quarter
• TEN – Frank Wycheck 22-yard pass from Willie Davis (run failed). Jaguars 14–9.
• JAC – Mike Hollis 23-yard field goal. Jaguars 17–9. Top passers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 8/22, 162 yards, 2 INT
• JAC – Mark Brunell – 22/30, 267 yards, TD Top rushers
• TEN – Rodney Thomas – 9 rushes, 54 yards
• JAC – Natrone Means – 23 rushes, 64 yards, TD Top receivers
• TEN – Frank Wycheck – 3 receptions, 70 yards, TD
• JAC – Jimmy Smith – 8 receptions, 158 yards

Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills

First quarter

• TEN – Marcus Robertson 27-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Second quarter
• TEN – Steve McNair 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 21–0.
• BUF – Quinn Early 9-yard pass from Todd Collins (Steve Christie kick). Oilers 21–7. Third quarter
• TEN – Al Del Greco 51-yard field goal. Oilers 24–7. Fourth quarter
• BUF – Quinn Early 6-yard pass from Todd Collins (Steve Christie kick). Oilers 24–14.
• TEN – Derek Russell 2-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 31–14. Top passers
• BUF – Todd Collins – 25/40, 286 yards, 2 TD, INT
• TEN – Steve McNair – 15/24, 167 yards, TD Top rushers
• BUF – Antowain Smith – 9 rushes, 7 yards
• TEN – Eddie George – 25 rushes, 93 yards Top receivers
• BUF – Quinn Early – 8 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TD
• TEN – Frank Wycheck – 6 receptions, 51 yards

Week 14: at Dallas Cowboys

Thanksgiving Day games First quarter

• TEN – Erik Norgard 2-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
• TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0. Second quarter
• DAL – Michael Irvin 19-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Oilers 14–7.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 29-yard field goal. Oilers 17–7.
• TEN – Marcus Robertson 42-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 24–7. Third quarter
• DAL – Michael Irvin 37-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Oilers 24–14. Fourth quarter
• TEN – Al Del Greco 19-yard field goal. Oilers 27–14. Top passers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 9/17, 81 yards, TD
• DAL – Troy Aikman – 27/42, 356 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT Top rushers
• TEN – Eddie George – 34 rushes, 110 yards
• DAL – Emmitt Smith – 10 rushes, 22 yards Top receivers
• TEN – Frank Wycheck – 3 receptions, 39 yards
• DAL – Michael Irvin – 5 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TD

Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals

First quarter

• CIN – Corey Dillon 2-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 7–0.
• CIN – Tony McGee 1-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 14–0. Second quarter
• CIN – Corey Dillon 31-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 21–0.
• CIN – Corey Dillon 1-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 28–0. Third quarter
• CIN – Corey Dillon 2-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 35–0.
• CIN – Doug Pelfrey 26-yard field goal. Bengals 38–0. Fourth quarter
• TEN – Willie Davis 5-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Bengals 38–7.
• CIN – Doug Pelfrey 40-yard field goal. Bengals 41–7.
• TEN – Joey Kent 11-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Bengals 41–14. Top passers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 14/25, 146 yards, 2 TD
• CIN – Boomer Esiason – 20/28, 245 yards, TD Top rushers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 5 rushes, 16 yards
• CIN – Corey Dillon – 39 rushes, 246 yards, 4 TD Top receivers
• TEN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 45 yards, TD
• CIN – Darnay Scott – 6 receptions, 83 yards

Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens

First quarter

• BAL – Michael Jackson 8-yard pass from Eric Zeier (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 7–0.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 25-yard field goal. Ravens 7–3. Second quarter
• TEN – Al Del Greco 40-yard field goal. Ravens 7–6.
• BAL – Eric Green 37-yard pass from Eric Zeier (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 14–6. Third quarter
• TEN – Steve McNair 15-yard run (run failed). Ravens 14–12. Fourth quarter
• BAL – Derrick Alexander 19-yard pass from Eric Zeier (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 21–12.
• TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Ravens 21–19. Top passers
• TEN – Steve McNair – 22/45, 219 yards, INT
• BAL – Eric Zeier – 13/28, 204 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
• TEN – Eddie George – 26 rushes, 129 yards
• BAL – Bam Morris – 18 rushes, 51 yards Top receivers
• TEN – Chris Sanders – 7 receptions, 100 yards
• BAL – Eric Green – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD

Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

• TEN – Al Del Greco 34-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
• PIT – Norm Johnson 23-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Second quarter
• TEN – Rodney Thomas 25-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–3.
• TEN – Al Del Greco 29-yard field goal. Oilers 13–3. Third quarter
• TEN – Al Del Greco 26-yard field goal. Oilers 16–3. Fourth quarter
• PIT – Norm Johnson 36-yard field goal. Oilers 16–6. Top passers
• PIT – Mike Tomczak – 8/11, 89 yards
• TEN – Steve McNair – 10/26, 102 yards, INT Top rushers
• PIT – Fred McAfee – 10 rushes, 27 yards
• TEN – Rodney Thomas – 6 rushes, 41 yards, TD Top receivers
• PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 6 receptions, 84 yards
• TEN – Derrick Mason – 3 receptions, 47 yards

Standings

References

References

1. "1997 Tennessee Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
2. "1997 Tennessee Oilers starters, roster, and players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.