1988 Houston Oilers season

NFL team season

The 1988 Houston Oilers season was the franchise's 19th season in the National Football League and the 29th overall. The franchise scored 424 points, which was second in the AFC and second overall in the NFL. The defense gave up 365 points. Their record of 10 wins and 6 losses resulted in a third-place finish in the AFC Central Division. The Oilers appeared once on Monday Night Football and appeared in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Warren Moon would be selected for the Pro Bowl. In the playoffs, they defeated the Cleveland Browns 24-23 in the Wild Card game. However, in the divisional playoffs, they lost 17-10 to the Bills.

Offseason

NFL draft

1988 Houston Oilers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 22 Lorenzo White  Running back Michigan State
11 298 Jethro Franklin  Defensive line Fresno State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[1]

Personnel

Staff

1988 Houston Oilers staff

Front office

  • Owner/Chairman of the Board/President – Bud Adams
  • Executive Vice President/General Manager – Ladd Herzeg

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams – Richard Smith
  • Special Teams Intern- Dwight Point

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Rehabilitation – Steve Watterson

Roster

1988 Houston Oilers roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

  • 97 Robert Banks DE
  • 71 Richard Byrd NT
  • 79 Ray Childress DE
  • 95 William Fuller DE
  • 96 Sean Jones DE
  • 99 Doug Smith NT
Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • -- Kurt Crain LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 82 Willie Drewrey WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • -- Mark Dusbabek LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 22 Kenny Johnson S/PR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 27 Quintin Jones S (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 26 Audray McMillian CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • -- David Viaene C/G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 35 Ray Wallace RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 69 Doug Williams G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • -- Almon Young G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad none

47 active, 10 inactive


Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 4 at Indianapolis Colts W 17–14 (OT) 1–0 Hoosier Dome 57,251
2 September 11 Los Angeles Raiders W 38–35 2–0 Astrodome 46,050
3 September 18 at New York Jets L 3–45 2–1 Giants Stadium 64,683
4 September 25 New England Patriots W 31–6 3–1 Astrodome 38,646
5 October 2 at Philadelphia Eagles L 23–32 3–2 Veterans Stadium 64,692
6 October 9 Kansas City Chiefs W 7–6 4–2 Astrodome 39,134
7 October 16 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 34–14 5–2 Three Rivers Stadium 52,229
8 October 23 at Cincinnati Bengals L 21–44 5–3 Riverfront Stadium 54,659
9 October 30 Washington Redskins W 41–17 6–3 Astrodome 48,781
10 November 7 Cleveland Browns W 24–17 7–3 Astrodome 51,467
11 November 13 at Seattle Seahawks L 24–27 7–4 Kingdome 60,446
12 November 20 Phoenix Cardinals W 38–20 8–4 Astrodome 43,843
13 November 24 at Dallas Cowboys W 25–17 9–4 Texas Stadium 50,845
14 December 4 Pittsburgh Steelers L 34–37 9–5 Astrodome 47,791
15 December 11 Cincinnati Bengals W 41–6 10–5 Astrodome 50,269
16 December 18 at Cleveland Browns L 23–28 10–6 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 74,610

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

Week 1

Week 1: Houston Oilers at Indianapolis Colts
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Oilers 7 7 00317
Colts 7 7 00014

at Hoosier DomeIndianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: September 4, 1988
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 57,251
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Jon Morris (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Colts

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU IND
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 14

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

First Quarter:

Second Quarter:

Third Quarter: No points scored.

Fourth Quarter: No points scored.

Overtime:

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

Week 2

Week 2: Los Angeles Raiders at Houston Oilers
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 21 0735
Oilers 7 14 31438

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

  • Date: September 11, 1988
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game attendance: 46,050
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Ray Scott (play-by-play) and Joe Namath (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Raiders
Oilers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP LAR HOU
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 35 38

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.[2]

Week 3

Week 3: Houston Oilers at New York Jets
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 3 0 003
Jets 14 14 31445

at Giants StadiumEast Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 18, 1988
  • Game time: 12 Noon CDT
  • Game attendance: 64,683
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play) and Al DeRogatis (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Jets

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU NYJ
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 3 45

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

Week 4: New England Patriots at Houston Oilers
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 6 0 006
Oilers 7 7 71031

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

  • Date: September 25, 1988
  • Game time: 12 Noon CDT
  • Game attendance: 38,646
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mel Proctor (play-by-play) and Jerry Kramer (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Patriots
Oilers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP NE HOU
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 6 31

Week 5

Week 5: Houston Oilers at Philadelphia Eagles
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 16 0 0723
Eagles 0 20 9332

at Veterans StadiumPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 2, 1988
  • Game time: 12 Noon CDT
  • Game attendance: 64,692
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mel Proctor (play-by-play) and Larry Csonka (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Eagles

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU PHI
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 23 32

Week 6

Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Oilers
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 3 3 006
Oilers 0 0 707

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

  • Date: October 9, 1988
  • Game time: 12 Noon CDT
  • Game attendance: 39,134
  • Referee: Fred Silva
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play-by-play) and Reggie Rucker (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Chiefs
Oilers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP KC HOU
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 6 7

Week 7

Week 7: Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 6 12 7934
Steelers 0 7 0714

at Three Rivers StadiumPittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Game information
Oilers
Steelers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU PIT
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 34 14

Week 8

Week 8: Houston Oilers at Cincinnati Bengals
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 7 14021
Bengals 28 0 7944

at Riverfront StadiumCincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: October 23, 1988
  • Game time: 12 Noon CDT
  • Game attendance: 54,659
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Eagles

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU CIN
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 21 44

Week 9

Week 9: Washington Redskins at Houston Oilers
Period 1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 3 7717
Oilers 7 17 71041

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

  • Date: October 30, 1988
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 48,781
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Joe Theismann (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Redskins
Oilers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP WSH HOU
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 41

Week 10

Week 10: Cleveland Browns at Houston Oilers
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 0 7717
Oilers 0 7 14324

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

  • Date: November 7, 1988
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 51,467
  • Referee: Tom Dooley
  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator) and Frank Gifford (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Browns
Oilers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP CLE HOU
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 24

Week 11

Week 11: Houston Oilers at Seattle Seahawks
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 7 3 7724
Seahawks 7 3 71027

at KingdomeSeattle, Washington

  • Date: November 13, 1988
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 60,446
  • Referee: Dick Hantak
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Cefalo (sportscaster)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Seahawks

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU SEA
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 27

Week 12

Week 12: Phoenix Cardinals at Houston Oilers
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 7 7620
Oilers 7 17 7738

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

Game information
Cardinals
Oilers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP PHO HOU
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 38

Week 13

Week 13: Houston Oilers at Dallas Cowboys
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 10 31225
Cowboys 7 3 7017

at Texas StadiumIrving, Texas

  • Date: November 24, 1988
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 50,845
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Cowboys

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU DAL
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 25 17

Week 14

Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 3 14 71337
Oilers 0 13 14734

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

  • Date: December 4, 1988
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 47,791
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Joe Theismann (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Steelers
Oilers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP PIT HOU
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 37 34

Week 15

Week 15: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Oilers
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 3 306
Oilers 7 17 71041

at AstrodomeHouston, Texas

  • Date: December 11, 1988
  • Game time: 12 Noon CST
  • Game attendance: 50,269
  • Referee: Tom Dooley
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Bengals
Oilers

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP CIN HOU
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 6 41

Week 16

Week 16: Houston Oilers at Cleveland Browns
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 10 6 7023
Browns 0 7 71428

at Cleveland StadiumCleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 18, 1988
  • Game time: 12 Noon CST
  • Game attendance: 74,610
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Browns

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU CLE
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 23 28

Standings

AFC Central
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W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Cincinnati Bengals(1) 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 448 329 W1
Cleveland Browns(4) 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 304 288 W1
Houston Oilers(5) 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 424 365 L1
Pittsburgh Steelers 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 336 421 W1

Playoffs

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
Wild Card December 24, 1988 at Cleveland Browns W 24–23
74,977
Divisional January 1, 1989 at Buffalo Bills L 10–17
79,532

AFC Wild Card

AFC Wild Card Playoff: Houston Oilers at Cleveland Browns
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 14 01024
Browns 3 6 7723

at Cleveland StadiumCleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 24, 1988
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 74,977
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Browns

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU CLE
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 23

AFC Divisional

AFC Divisional Playoff: Houston Oilers at Buffalo Bills
Period 1 2 34Total
Oilers 0 3 0710
Bills 0 7 7317

at Rich StadiumOrchard Park, New York

  • Date: January 1, 1989
  • Game time: 11:30 a.m. CST
  • Game attendance: 79,532
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Paul Maguire (color commentator)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information
Oilers
Bills

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP HOU BUF
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 10 17

Awards and records

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

Milestones

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

References

  1. ^ "1988 Houston Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  2. ^ "Los Angeles Raiders at Houston Oilers - September 11th, 1988". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.

External links

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