1996 Houston Oilers season

1996 Houston Oilers season
Owner	Bud Adams
General manager	Floyd Reese
Head coach	Jeff Fisher
Home field	Houston Astrodome
Results
Record	8–8
Division place	4th AFC Central
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	OLB John Henry Mills SS Blaine Bishop
Uniform

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, 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. 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. 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

Main article: 1996 NFL draft

1996 Houston Oilers draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
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

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 (QB) 12 Chris Chandler  9 Steve McNair 16 James Ritchey Running backs (RB) 32 Mike Archie 27 Eddie George 33 Ronnie Harmon 20 Rodney Thomas Wide receivers (WR) 86 Willie Davis 83 Malcolm Floyd 85 Derek Russell 81 Chris Sanders 82 Sheddrick Wilson Tight ends (TE) 88 Roderick Lewis 87 James McKeehan LS 80 Michael Roan 89 Frank Wycheck

Offensive linemen (OL) 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/T 74 Bruce Matthews G 64 Erik Norgard C/G 69 Jon Runyan T 53 Mark Stepnoski C Defensive linemen (DL) 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 (LB) 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 (DB) 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 CB/S Special teams  3 Al Del Greco K 21 Mel Gray RS  7 Reggie Roby P

Practice squad 70 Ron Florine T  5 Mitch Running WR 18 Chris Sanders TE Reserve 91 Josh Evans DT (IR) 54 Al Smith LB (IR) 53 active, 2 inactive, 3 practice squad Rookies in italics

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
	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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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 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

Week Three: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Quarter	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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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

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

at Astrodome, 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

Quarter	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

Quarter	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 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

Week Sixteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Quarter	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

Quarter	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.

External links

• 1996 Houston Oilers at Pro-Football-Reference.com