1996 Houston Oilers season

37th season in franchise history, final one in Houston

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The 1996 Houston Oilers season was the 37th season overall and 27th with the National Football League (NFL) and their final season in Houston. The team bested their previous season's output of 7–9,^[1] but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Oilers only won two out of their eight games at home. However, on the road they won six out of eight games as the Oilers finished with an 8-8 record. Houston running back Eddie George won the Offensive Rookie of the Year with 1,368 yards rushing. Despite finishing 8–8 record, the Oilers failed to sell out any of its home games at the Houston Astrodome for the second consecutive season.

The Oilers had already established itself as a lame duck franchise; the league had approved the team's relocation to Nashville, Tennessee a year ahead of schedule, although it was not originally scheduled to take place until 1998.^[2] With the team having given up on Houston, the city responded in kind: fan support and attendance dropped to negligible levels for the 1996 season, the team's radio network was all but disbanded, and the local broadcasts were being cut off in favor of preseason NBA basketball.^[3] The Oilers, unwilling to continue in Houston after such a debacle, quickly moved to Memphis, Tennessee's Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in 1997, becoming the Tennessee Oilers (Memphis, too, would reject the "temporary" housing of the Oilers, forcing the team to move to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville until the new Nashville stadium was finished in 1999).

Offseason

NFL Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1996 Houston Oilers draft
1	14	Eddie George *	Running back	Ohio State
2	38	Bryant Mix	Defensive end	Alcorn State
2	48	Jason Layman	Offensive tackle	Tennessee
3	74	Terry Killens	Linebacker	Penn State
4	107	Kendrick Burton	Defensive end	Alabama
4	109	Jon Runyan *	Offensive tackle	Michigan
5	143	Rayna Stewart	Safety	Northern Arizona
6	177	Anthony Dorsett	Cornerback	Pittsburgh
7	218	Mike Archie	Running back	Penn State
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

^[4]

Personnel

Staff

**1996 Houston Oilers staff**
	Front office Owner/chairman of the board/president – Bud Adams Executive vice-president/general manager – Floyd Reese Head coaches Head coach – Jeff Fisher Offensive coaches 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 coaches Defensive coordinator – Steve Sidwell Defensive line – Rex Norris Linebackers – Gregg Williams Defensive backs – Rod Perry Defensive assistant/quality control – Alan Lowry Special teams coaches Special teams – Russ Purnell Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Steve Watterson

Roster

**1996 Houston Oilers roster**

	Quarterbacks 12 Chris Chandler 9 Steve McNair 16 James Ritchey Running backs 32 Mike Archie 27 Eddie George 33 Ronnie Harmon 20 Rodney Thomas Wide receivers 86 Willie Davis 83 Malcolm Floyd 85 Derek Russell 81 Chris Sanders 82 Sheddrick Wilson Tight ends 88 Roderick Lewis 87 James McKeehan LS 80 Michael Roan 89 Frank Wycheck		Offensive linemen 77 Kevin Donnalley G 72 Brad Hopkins T 75 Irv Eatman T 60 Hicham El-Mashtoub C 71 Melvin Hayes T 66 Jason Layman G 74 Bruce Matthews G 64 Erik Norgard C 69 Jon Runyan T 53 Mark Stepnoski C Defensive linemen 94 Kendrick Burton DE 78 Anthony Cook DE 92 Henry Ford DT 93 Mike Halapin DT 97 Bryant Mix DT 90 James Roberson DE 96 Gary Walker DT 99 Robert Young DE		Linebackers 56 Micheal Barrow OLB 58 Joe Bowden OLB 51 Lemanski Hall OLB 57 Lenoy Jones OLB 50 Terry Killens OLB 55 John Henry Mills MLB 52 Barron Wortham MLB Defensive backs 23 Blaine Bishop SS 39 Lee Cole CB 28 Cris Dishman CB 30 Anthony Dorsett CB 24 Steve Jackson CB 29 Darryll Lewis CB 31 Marcus Robertson FS 37 Rafael Robinson SS 26 Rayna Stewart S Special teams 3 Al Del Greco K 21 Mel Gray KR/PR 7 Reggie Roby P		Reserve lists 91 Josh Evans DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 54 Al Smith LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) Practice squad 70 Ron Florine T 5 Mitch Running WR 18 Chris Sanders TE 53 active, 2 inactive, 3 practice squad Rookies in italics

^[5]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 1	Kansas City Chiefs	L 19–20	0–1	Astrodome	27,725
2	September 8	at Jacksonville Jaguars	W 34–27	1–1	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium	66,468
3	September 15	Baltimore Ravens	W 29–13	2–1	Astrodome	20,082
4	Bye
5	September 29	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 16–30	2–2	Three Rivers Stadium	58,608
6	October 6	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 30–27 (OT)	3–2	Cinergy Field	44,680
7	October 13	at Atlanta Falcons	W 23–13	4–2	Georgia Dome	35,401
8	October 20	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 23–13	5–2	Astrodome	50,337
9	October 27	San Francisco 49ers	L 9–10	5–3	Astrodome	53,664
10	November 3	at Seattle Seahawks	L 16–23	5–4	Kingdome	36,320
11	November 10	at New Orleans Saints	W 31–14	6–4	Louisiana Superdome	34,121
12	November 17	Miami Dolphins	L 20–23	6–5	Astrodome	47,358
13	November 24	Carolina Panthers	L 6–31	6–6	Astrodome	20,107
14	December 1	at New York Jets	W 35–10	7–6	Giants Stadium	21,731
15	December 8	Jacksonville Jaguars	L 17–23	7–7	Astrodome	20,196
16	December 15	Cincinnati Bengals	L 13–21	7–8	Astrodome	15,131
17	December 22	at Baltimore Ravens	W 24–21	8–8	Memorial Stadium	52,704
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

AFC Central
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
⁽³⁾ Pittsburgh Steelers	10	6	0	.625	344	257	L2
⁽⁵⁾ Jacksonville Jaguars	9	7	0	.563	325	335	W5
Cincinnati Bengals	8	8	0	.500	372	369	W3
Houston Oilers	8	8	0	.500	345	319	W1
Baltimore Ravens	4	12	0	.250	371	441	L3

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week One: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	10	0	3	20
Oilers	10	6	0	3	19

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: September 1
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 27,725
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally)
Box score

Game information

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

Week Two: Houston Oilers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	10	14	7	3	34
Jaguars	10	3	7	7	27

at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Date: September 8
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
Game attendance: 66,468
TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bart Oates
Box score

Game information

First quarter

JAX – Mike Hollis 38-yard field goal. Jaguars 3–0.
HOU – Al Del Greco 32-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
JAX – 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.
JAX – 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.
JAX – 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.
JAX – 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
JAX – Mark Brunell – 27/38, 302 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

HOU – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 143 yards, TD
JAX – James Stewart – 17 rushes, 58 yards, TD

Top receivers

HOU – Malcolm Floyd – 3 receptions, 90 yards, TD
JAX – Keenan McCardell – 8 receptions, 100 yards, TD

Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Three: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	0	7	0	6	13
Oilers	14	3	9	3	29

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: September 15
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 20,082
TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bart Oates (blacked out locally)
Box score

Game information

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

Week Five: Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	0	14	2	16
Steelers	17	3	0	10	30

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: September 29
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Mostly sunny, 53 °F (12 °C)
Game attendance: 58,608
Referee: Tom White
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece
Box score

Game information

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

Week Six: Houston Oilers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Oilers	3	7	7	10	3	30
Bengals	0	13	7	7	0	27

at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio

Date: October 6
Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT/8:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Clear, 59 °F (15 °C)
Game attendance: 44,680
TV announcers (TNT): Verne Lundquist and Pat Haden
Box score

Game information

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

Week Seven: Houston Oilers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	7	3	7	6	23
Falcons	0	0	0	13	13

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Date: October 13
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 35,401
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece
Box score

Game information

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

Week Eight: Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	3	0	3	13
Oilers	3	6	0	14	23

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: October 20
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 50,337
Referee: Red Cashion
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally)
Box score

Game information

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

Week Nine: San Francisco 49ers at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	3	0	0	7	10
Oilers	0	6	0	3	9

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: October 27
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 53,664
TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Matt Millen (blacked out locally)
Box score

Game information

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

Week Ten: Houston Oilers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	3	0	3	10	16
Seahawks	3	3	3	14	23

at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington

Date: November 3
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 36,320
Referee: Johnny Grier
TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bob Golic
Box score

Game information

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

Week Eleven: Houston Oilers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	14	7	7	3	31
Saints	3	3	0	8	14

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Date: November 10
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 34,121
TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bart Oates
Box score

Game information

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

Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	0	10	3	10	23
Oilers	14	0	3	3	20

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: November 17
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 47,358
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Bob Trumpy (blacked out locally)
Box score

Game information

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

Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	0	10	7	14	31
Oilers	0	3	0	3	6

at Astrodom, Houston, Texas

Date: November 24
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 20,107
TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville (blacked out locally)
Box score

Game information

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

Week Fourteen: Houston Oilers at New York Jets – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	14	7	0	14	35
Jets	0	10	0	0	10

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Date: December 1
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/4:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
Game attendance: 21,731
TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones, Randy Cross and Len Berman
Box score

Game information

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

Week Fifteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	7	3	7	6	23
Oilers	0	7	0	10	17

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: December 8
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 20,196
TV announcers (NBC): Jim Donovan and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally)
Box score

Game information

First quarter

JAX – 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.
JAX – Mike Hollis 34-yard field goal. Jaguars 10–7.

Third quarter

JAX – 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.
JAX – Mike Hollis 38-yard field goal. Jaguars 20–14.
JAX – Mike Hollis 31-yard field goal. Jaguars 23–14.
HOU – Al Del Greco 27-yard field goal. Jaguars 23–17.

Top passers

JAX – Mark Brunell – 15/25, 172 yards
HOU – Steve McNair – 24/37, 308 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

JAX – Natrone Means – 25 rushes, 67 yards, 2 TD
HOU – Eddie George – 16 rushes, 45 yards, TD

Top receivers

JAX – Keenan McCardell – 3 receptions, 68 yards
HOU – Chris Sanders – 7 receptions, 127 yards

Week 16: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Sixteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	0	14	7	21
Oilers	3	3	0	7	13

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Date: December 15
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 15,131
TV announcers (NBC): Jim Lampley and Bob Golic (blacked out locally)
Box score

Game information

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

Week Seventeen: Houston Oilers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	10	7	7	0	24
Ravens	7	0	0	14	21

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: December 22
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Cloudy, 27 °F (−3 °C)
Game attendance: 52,704
TV announcers (NBC): Jim Donovan and Bart Oates
Box score

Game information

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

^ 1996 Houston Oilers
^ PRO FOOTBALL;N.F.L. Owners Approve Move To Nashville By the Oilers. The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
^ Oilers hope to prove lame ducks can soar. The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
^ "1996 Houston Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
^ "1996 Houston Oilers starters, roster, and players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2014.

External links

1996 Houston Oilers at Pro-Football-Reference.com

v t e Tennessee Titans
Founded in 1960 Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998) Based and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee
Franchise	History in Houston Coaches Seasons Players First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks
Stadiums	Jeppesen Stadium Rice Stadium Houston Astrodome Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Vanderbilt Stadium Nissan Stadium
Culture	Bud Adams Luv Ya Blue T-Rac Cheerleaders
Lore	The Comeback Music City Miracle One Yard Short
Rivalries	Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Dallas Cowboys Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Pittsburgh Steelers
Division championships (11)	1960 1961 1962 1967 1991 1993 2000 2002 2008 2020 2021
Conference championships (1)	1999
League championships (2)	1960 1961
Retired numbers	1 9 27 34 43 63 65 74
Media	Broadcasters Titans All Access Titans Preseason Football Titans Radio Network WKRN-TV WTVF WZTV WGFX-FM WSMV-TV
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: South Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)
Key personnel	Bud Adams Amy Adams Strunk

v t e Tennessee Titans seasons
Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bold indicates AFL Championship (1960–69) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory Italics indicates Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance

1996 NFL season

East	Central	West	East	Central	West
Buffalo	Baltimore	Denver	Arizona	Chicago	Atlanta
Indianapolis	Cincinnati	Kansas City	Dallas	Detroit	Carolina
Miami	Houston	Oakland	NY Giants	Green Bay	New Orleans
New England	Jacksonville	San Diego	Philadelphia	Minnesota	St. Louis
NY Jets	Pittsburgh	Seattle	Washington	Tampa Bay	San Francisco