1978 Houston Oilers season

NFL team season

1978 Houston Oilers season

Owner| Bud Adams
General manager| Bum Phillips
Head coach| Bum Phillips
Home field| Astrodome
Results
Record| 10–6
Division place| 2nd AFC Central
Playoff finish| Won Wild Card Playoffs
(at Dolphins) 17–9
Won Divisional Playoffs
(at Patriots) 31–14
Lost AFC Championship
(at Steelers) 5–34
Pro Bowlers| FB Earl Campbell
DT Elvin Bethea
LB Robert Brazile
FS Mike Reinfeldt
K Toni Fritsch
AP All-Pros| FB Earl Campbell (1st team)
LB Robert Brazile (1st team)
DT Elvin Bethea (2nd team)
DE Curley Culp (2nd team)

* <- 1977
* Oilers seasons
* 1979 ->

Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini in the 1978 AFC wild card game.

The 1978 Houston Oilers season was the franchise's 19th overall and the ninth in the National Football League (NFL). Led by Rookie RB Earl Campbell, who won both the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year, who rushed for 1,450 yards, the Oilers made the playoffs with a 10–6 record, qualifying in the newly created fifth Wild Card spot. The franchise scored 283 points while the defense gave up 298 points. Their record of 10 wins and 6 losses resulted in a second-place finish in the AFC Central Division. In the playoffs, the Oilers would stun the Miami Dolphins, 17–9, in the two teams first playoff meeting, then defeated the New England Patriots 31–14 in New England to advance to their first ever AFC Championship game, but in that game, they would score a mere 5 points in a 34–5 blowout loss to the eventual champion Steelers.

## Season summary

[edit]

The Oilers appeared twice on Monday Night Football. In their first appearance on Monday Night Football, the Oilers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24–17. In their second appearance, the Oilers defeated the Miami Dolphins 35–30. The Oilers number one draft pick, Earl Campbell, a 5–11, 232-pound ball-carrying dynamo from the University of Texas, joined the Houston Oilers as the first player taken in the 1978 National Football League Draft. The first player to earn All-Southwest Conference honors four years, Campbell was a consensus All-America and the Heisman Trophy winner in 1977. Campbell took the NFL by storm right from the very start. In 1978, he was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player, All-Pro, and Rookie of the Year. He won the league rushing championship with 1,450 yards and was named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. Possibly the highlight of the Oilers' fantastic season was the contest against the Miami Dolphins, in which Campbell racked up 199 yards, 81 of them coming on a TD run in the fourth quarter.[1]

## Offseason

[edit]

### NFL draft

[edit]

Main article: 1978 NFL draft

1978 Houston Oilers draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | College  | Notes
1  | 1  | Earl Campbell * † | Running back | Texas |
3  | 73  | Gifford Nielsen | Quarterback | BYU |
4  | 98  | Mike Renfro | Wide receiver | TCU |
6  | 154  | Conrad Rucker | Tight end | Southern |
8  | 210  | J. C. Wilson | Defensive back | Pittsburgh |
9  | 239  | Jim Mol | Defensive end | Morningside |
10  | 266  | Steve Young | Tight end  | Wake Forest |
11  | 295  | Willie Thicklen | Wide receiver  | Alabama State |
12  | 322  | John Schuhmacher | Guard | USC |
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[2]

## Personnel

[edit]

### Roster

[edit]

1978 Houston Oilers roster

| Quarterbacks

* 11 Tom Duniven
* 14 Gifford Nielsen
* 7 Dan Pastorini

Running backs

* 34 Earl Campbell
* 47 Ronnie Coleman
* 31 Brian Duncan FB
* 39 Larry Poole
* 46 Robert Turner
* 45 Tim Wilson FB

Wide receivers

* 00 Ken Burrough
* 88 Rich Caster
* 81 Johnnie Dirden
* 29 Guido Merkens
* 82 Mike Renfro
* 42 Robert Woods

Tight ends

* 86 Mike Barber
* 87 Conrad Rucker

|  | Offensive linemen

* 58 David Carter C
* 60 Ed Fisher G
* 70 Conway Hayman G/T
* 55 Carl Mauck C
* 64 George Reihner G
* 73 Greg Sampson T
* 62 John Schuhmacher G
* 76 Morris Towns G/T

Defensive linemen

* 65 Elvin Bethea DE
* 78 Curley Culp NT
* 69 Andy Dorris DE
* 71 Ken Kennard NT
* 77 James Young DE

|  | Linebackers

* 63 Steve Baumgartner OLB
* 54 Gregg Bingham ILB
* 52 Robert Brazile OLB
* 57 Steve Kiner ILB
* 51 Ted Thompson ILB
* 59 Ted Washington OLB

Defensive backs

* 19 Willie Alexander CB
* 20 Bill Currier SS
* 15 Al Johnson DB
* 25 Kurt Knoff SS
* 37 Mike Reinfeldt FS
* 27 Greg Stemrick CB
* 38 C. L. Whittington FS
* 33 J. C. Wilson CB

Special teams

* 16 Toni Fritsch K
* 18 Cliff Parsley P

|  | Reserve lists

* 26 Rob Carpenter FB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
* 67 Jimmy Dean DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
* 89 Eddie Foster WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
* 84 Billy Johnson WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
* \-- Jim Mol DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
* 53 Art Stringer ILB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)

Practice squad

Rookies in italics

[3]

## Preseason

[edit]

### Schedule

[edit]

Week  | Date  | Opponent  | Result  | Record  | Venue  | Attendance  | Recap

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | August 5 | Denver Broncos | L 12–17  | 0–1  | Astrodome | 48,027  |
2  | August 14 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 10–28  | 0–2  | Astrodome | 49,334  |
3 | August 19 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 27–13  | 1–2  | Texas Stadium | 62,242  |
4  | August 26 | New Orleans Saints | L 3–17  | 1–3  | Astrodome | 49,554  |

## Pre season Game summaries

[edit]

### Week P1 (Saturday, August 5, 1978): vs. Denver Broncos

[edit]

### Week P2 (Monday, August 14, 1978): vs. Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

### Week P3 (Saturday, August 19, 1978): at Dallas Cowboys

[edit]

Preseason Week 3: Houston Oilers 27 at Dallas Cowboys 13 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Oilers (1–2) | 0 | 7 | 14| 6| 27
Cowboys (2–1) | 0 | 3 | 3| 7| 13

at Texas Stadium • Irving, Texas

* Date: August 20, 1978
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
* Game attendance: 62,242
* TV: KPRC-TV

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

HOU  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
DAL  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
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. | 27  | 13

* Time of Game:

Oilers  | Game Statistics  | Cowboys

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |

### Week P4 (Saturday, August 26, 1978): vs. New Orleans Saints

[edit]

## Regular season

[edit]

On November 20, 1978, the Oilers took on the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. In order to boost team spirit, the Oilers gave each fan a blue and white pom-pom before the game. The sight of over 50,000 fans waving the pom-poms inspired the Oilers to a 35–30 victory, behind Campbell's 199 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. This would be the start of Luv Ya Blue.

### Schedule

[edit]

Week  | Date  | Opponent  | Result  | Record  | Venue  | Attendance  | Recap

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | September 3  | at Atlanta Falcons | L 14–20  | 0–1  | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 57,328  | Recap
2  | September 10  | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 20–17  | 1–1  | Arrowhead Stadium | 40,213  | Recap
3 | September 17  | San Francisco 49ers | W 20–19  | 2–1  | Astrodome | 46,161  | Recap
4 | September 24  | Los Angeles Rams | L 6–10  | 2–2  | Astrodome  | 45,749  | Recap
5  | October 1  | at Cleveland Browns | W 16–13  | 3–2  | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 72,776  | Recap
6  | October 8  | at Oakland Raiders | L 17–21  | 3–3  | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 52,550  | Recap
7  | October 15  | Buffalo Bills | W 17–10  | 4–3  | Astrodome  | 47,727  | Recap
8 | October 23 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | W 24–17  | 5–3  | Three Rivers Stadium | 48,021  | Recap
9  | October 29  | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 13–28  | 5–4  | Riverfront Stadium | 50,532  | Recap
10  | November 5  | Cleveland Browns | W 14–10  | 6–4  | Astrodome  | 45,827  | Recap
11  | November 12  | at New England Patriots | W 26–23  | 7–4  | Schaefer Stadium | 60,356  | Recap
12 | November 20 | Miami Dolphins | W 35–30  | 8–4  | Astrodome  | 50,290  | Recap
13  | November 26  | Cincinnati Bengals | W 17–10  | 9–4  | Astrodome  | 43,245  | Recap
14 | December 3  | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 3–13  | 9–5  | Astrodome  | 54,261  | Recap
15 | December 10  | at New Orleans Saints | W 17–12  | 10–5  | Louisiana Superdome | 63,169  | Recap
16  | December 17  | San Diego Chargers | L 24–45  | 10–6  | Astrodome | 49,554  | Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
[4]

### Standings

[edit]

AFC Central

* view
* talk
* edit

| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK
Pittsburgh Steelers(1) | 14  | 2  | 0  | .875  | 5–1  | 11–1  | 356  | 195  | W5
Houston Oilers(5) | 10  | 6  | 0  | .625  | 4–2  | 8–4  | 283  | 298  | L1
Cleveland Browns | 8  | 8  | 0  | .500  | 1–5  | 4–8  | 334  | 356  | L1
Cincinnati Bengals | 4  | 12  | 0  | .250  | 2–4  | 2–10  | 252  | 284  | W3

## Regular Season Game summaries

[edit]

### Week 1 (Sunday, September 3, 1978): at Atlanta Falcons

[edit]

Week 1: Houston Oilers 14 at Atlanta Falcons 20 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Oilers (0–1) | 7 | 0 | 7| 0| 14
Falcons (1–0) | 0 | 14 | 3| 3| 20

at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

* Date: September 3, 1978
* Game time: 12 Noon CDT
* Game weather: 77 °F or 25 °C, relative humidity 75%, wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
* Game attendance: 57,328
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
* [5]

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

HOU  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
ATL  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | HOU  | ATL
1  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 73-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 7  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Falcons  | Bean 38-yard touchdown reception from Jones, Steinfort kick good  | 7  | 7
2  |  |  |  |  | Falcons  | Moriarty recovered blocked punt in end zone, Steinfort kick good  | 7  | 14
3  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Caster 8-yard touchdown reception from Pastorini, Fritsch kick good  | 14  | 14
3  |  |  |  |  | Falcons  | 30-yard field goal by Steinfort | 14  | 17
4  |  |  |  |  | Falcons  | 48-yard field goal by Steinfort | 14  | 20
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 14  | 20

* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:

Oilers  | Game Statistics  | Falcons

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |
| Time of Possession  |

### Week 2 (Sunday, September 10, 1978): at Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

### Week 3 (Sunday, September 17, 1978): vs. San Francisco 49ers

[edit]

Week 3: San Francisco 49ers 19 at Houston Oilers 20 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

49ers (0–3) | 0 | 7 | 6| 6| 19
Oilers (2–1) | 7 | 3 | 7| 3| 20

at Astrodome • Houston, Texas

* Date: September 17, 1978
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Indoors (dome)
* Game attendance: 46,161
* Referee: Don Wedge
* TV announcers (CBS): Lindsey Nelson (play-by-play) and Paul Hornung (color commentator)
* [6]

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

SF  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
HOU  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | SF  | HOU
1  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 4-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 0  | 7
2  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | 38-yard field goal by Fritsch | 0  | 10
2  |  |  |  |  | 49ers  | 26-yard field goal by Wersching | 3  | 10
2  |  |  |  |  | 49ers  | 19-yard field goal by Wersching | 6  | 10
3  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Burrough 13-yard touchdown reception from Pastorini, Fritsch kick good  | 6  | 17
3  |  |  |  |  | 49ers  | Solomon 58-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Wersching kick no good  | 12  | 17
4  |  |  |  |  | 49ers  | Seal 8-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Wersching kick good  | 19  | 17
4  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | 19-yard field goal by Fritsch | 19  | 20
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 19  | 20

* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:

49ers  | Game Statistics  | Oilers

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |
| Time of Possession  |

In an early test to see how good the Oilers are the Oilers took a 10-6 halftime lead on Earl Campbell's 4-yard touchdown run and a Toni Fritsch's 38-yard field goal while the 49ers countered with kicks of 26 and 19 yards by Ray Wersching. The Oilers extend their lead late in the third quarter with a nearly perfect 13-yard touchdown pass from Dan Pastorini to Ken Burrough, who out-reached cornerback Anthony Leonard in the end zone. But Steve DeBerg who had 321 yards passing this day came back with a 58-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Solomon before the third period and then with 7:51 left in the game completed a 78-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Paul Seal. It took a determined 80-yard drive that ended with a clutch 19-yard field goal by Fritsch with 1:16 left to give the Oilers the lead, but the 49ers had one more chance and doing it without O. J. Simpson but Wersching's 46-yard field goal sailed wide left as the Oilers got an important win.

### Week 4 (Sunday, September 24, 1978): vs. Los Angeles Rams

[edit]

Week 4: Los Angeles Rams 10 at Houston Oilers 6 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Rams (4–0) | 7 | 3 | 0| 0| 10
Oilers (2–2) | 0 | 3 | 0| 3| 6

at Astrodome • Houston, Texas

* Date: September 24, 1978
* Game time: 12 Noon CDT
* Game weather: Indoors (dome)
* Game attendance: 45,749
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* TV announcers (CBS): Vin Scully (play-by-play), George Allen (color commentator) and Jim Brown (color commentator)
* [7]

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

LA  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
HOU  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | LA  | HOU
1  |  |  |  |  | Rams  | Bryant 3-yard touchdown run, Corral kick good  | 7  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Rams  | 25-yard field goal by Corral | 10  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | 32-yard field goal by Fritsch | 10  | 3
4  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | 20-yard field goal by Fritsch | 10  | 6
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 10  | 6

* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:

Rams  | Game Statistics  | Oilers

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |
| Time of Possession  |

### Week 5 (Sunday, October 1, 1978): at Cleveland Browns

[edit]

### Week 6 (Sunday, October 8, 1978): at Oakland Raiders

[edit]

### Week 7 (Sunday, October 15, 1978): vs. Buffalo Bills

[edit]

### Week 8 (Monday, October 23, 1978): at Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]

Week 8: Houston Oilers 24 at Pittsburgh Steelers 17 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Oilers (5–3) | 0 | 10 | 7| 7| 24
Steelers (7–1) | 0 | 10 | 0| 7| 17

at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

* Date: October 23, 1978
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 56 °F or 13.3 °C, relative humidity 72%, wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
* Game attendance: 48,021
* Referee: Ben Dreith
* TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play) and Howard Cosell (color commentator)
* [8]

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

HOU  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
PIT  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | HOU  | PIT
2  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 1-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 7  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Steelers  | Swann 25-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good  | 7  | 7
2  |  |  |  |  | Steelers  | 30-yard field goal by Gerela | 10  | 10
2  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | 39-yard field goal by Fritsch | 10  | 10
3  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 3-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 17  | 10
4  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 1-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 24  | 10
4  |  |  |  |  | Steelers  | Swann 6-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good  | 24  | 17
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 24  | 17

* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:

Oilers  | Game Statistics  | Steelers

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |
| Time of Possession  |

### Week 9 (Sunday, October 29, 1978): at Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]

### Week 10 (Sunday, November 5, 1978): vs. Cleveland Browns

[edit]

### Week 11 (Sunday, November 12, 1978): at New England Patriots

[edit]

### Week 12 (Monday, November 20, 1978): vs. Miami Dolphins

[edit]

Week 12: Miami Dolphins 30 at Houston Oilers 35 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Dolphins (8–4) | 7 | 7 | 7| 9| 30
Oilers (8–4) | 7 | 7 | 7| 14| 35

at Astrodome • Houston, Texas

* Date: November 20, 1978
* Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Indoors (dome)
* Game attendance: 50,290
* Referee: Gene Barth
* TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play) and Howard Cosell (color commentator)
* [9]

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

MIA  | Passing | Bob Griese | 23/33, 349 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing | Delvin Williams | 18 CAR, 73 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving | Nat Moore | 3 REC, 84 YDS, 1 TD
HOU  | Passing | Dan Pastorini | 10/15, 156 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing | Earl Campbell | 28 CAR, 199 YDS, 4 TDs
Receiving | Mike Barber | 3 REC, 56 YDS, 1 TD
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | MIA  | HOU
1  |  |  |  |  | Dolphins  | Moore 10-yard touchdown reception from Griese, Yepremian kick good  | 7  | 0
1  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 1-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 7  | 7
2  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Barber 15-yard touchdown reception from Pastorini, Fritsch kick good  | 7  | 14
2  |  |  |  |  | Dolphins  | Williams 1-yard touchdown run, Yepremian kick good  | 14  | 14
3  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 6-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 14  | 21
3  |  |  |  |  | Dolphins  | Harris 1-yard touchdown run, Yepremian kick good  | 21  | 21
4  |  |  |  |  | Dolphins  | Pastorini tackled in end zone for a safety by Duhe | 23  | 21
4  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 12-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 23  | 28
4  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 81-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 23  | 35
4  |  |  |  |  | Dolphins  | Cefalo 11-yard touchdown reception from Griese, Yepremian kick good  | 30  | 35
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 30  | 35

* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:

Dolphins  | Game Statistics  | Oilers

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |
| Time of Possession  |

### Week 13 (Sunday, November 26, 1978): vs. Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]

### Week 14 (Sunday, December 3, 1978): vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]

Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers 13 at Houston Oilers 3 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Steelers (12–2) | 3 | 0 | 3| 7| 13
Oilers (9–5) | 0 | 3 | 0| 0| 3

at Astrodome • Houston, Texas

* Date: December 3, 1978
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Indoors (dome)
* Game attendance: 54,261
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
* [10]

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

PIT  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
HOU  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | PIT  | HOU
1  |  |  |  |  | Steelers  | 41-yard field goal by Gerela | 3  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | 37-yard field goal by Fritsch | 3  | 3
3  |  |  |  |  | Steelers  | 23-yard field goal by Gerela | 6  | 3
4  |  |  |  |  | Steelers  | Stallworth 5-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good  | 13  | 3
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 13  | 3

* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:

Steelers  | Game Statistics  | Oilers

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |
| Time of Possession  |

### Week 15 (Sunday, December 10, 1978): at New Orleans Saints

[edit]

Week 15: Houston Oilers 17 at New Orleans Saints 12 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Oilers (10–5) | 7 | 3 | 0| 7| 17
Saints (6–9) | 0 | 0 | 7| 5| 12

at Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, Louisiana

* Date: December 10, 1978
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Indoors (dome)
* Game attendance: 63,169
* Referee: Ben Dreith
* TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Ed Podolak (color commentator)
* [11]

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

HOU  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
NO  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | HOU  | NO
1  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Campbell 2-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good  | 7  | 0
2  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | 22-yard field goal by Fritsch | 10  | 0
3  |  |  |  |  | Saints  | Owens 6-yard touchdown reception from Manning, Mike-Mayer kick good  | 10  | 7
4  |  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Woods 80-yard touchdown reception from Pastorini, Fritsch kick good  | 17  | 7
4  |  |  |  |  | Saints  | Campbell ran out of end zone for a safety  | 17  | 9
4  |  |  |  |  | Saints  | 21-yard field goal by Mike-ayer | 17  | 12
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 17  | 12

* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:

Oilers  | Game Statistics  | Saints

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |
| Time of Possession  |

### Week 16 (Sunday, December 17, 1978): vs. San Diego Chargers

[edit]

## Postseason

[edit]

Main article: 1978–79 NFL playoffs

### Playoffs

[edit]

Round  | Date  | Opponent  | Result  | Venue  | Attendance  | Recap

|
|
|
|
|
|

Wild Card  | December 24  | at Miami Dolphins | W 17–9  | Miami Orange Bowl | 70,036  |
Divisional  | December 31  | at New England Patriots | W 31–14  | Schaefer Stadium | 60,881  |
AFC Championship | January 7, 1979  | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 5–34  | Three Rivers Stadium | 49,417  | Recap

### AFC Wild Card

[edit]

Houston Oilers 17, Miami Dolphins 9

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Oilers | 7 | 0 | 0| 10| 17
Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 0| 2| 9

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

* Date: December 24, 1978
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 77 °F or 25 °C, relative humidity 78%, wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
* Game attendance: 70,036
* Referee: Dick Jorgensen
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Len Dawson

Quarterback Dan Pastorini led the Oilers to an upset victory by passing for 306 yards. Houston outgained the Dolphins in total yards, 455-209, and forced 5 turnovers while only losing one on their end.

Miami managed to keep Houston running back Earl Campbell well contained in the first half, limiting him to just 16 yards on 13 carries, but they were unable to handle the passing attack of Pastorini, who completed 16 of 21 passes for 261 yards during that time. Meanwhile, Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese completed just 6 of 16 passes in the first two quarters.

The Dolphins scored first after Earnie Rhone recovered a fumbled punt from Robert Woods at the Houston 21-yard line, setting up quarterback Bob Griese's 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Andre Tillman. However, the Oilers responded with an 11-play, 71-yard drive in which Pastorini completed 6 of 7 passes for 66 yards, the last one a 13-yard touchdown pass to running back Tim Wilson. Neither team scored again until the fourth quarter, despite several chances. In the second quarter, Pastorini completed a 55-yard pass to tight end Mike Barber on the Dolphins 9-yard line, but the drive ended with no points when Toni Fritsch's 28-yard field goal attempt was blocked by linebacker Kim Bokamper. The Oilers later drove to the Dolphins red zone with 14 seconds left in the half. On the next play, Pastorini completed a pass to Ken Burrough, but he was tackled short of the end zone and the clock ran out before the team could spike the ball to stop it.

In the third quarter, Miami blew a chance to take then lead when Garo Yepremian drove a 38-yard field goal attempt wide left. In the final period, Toni Fritsch made a 35-yard field goal to give the Oilers a 10-7 lead. Then linebacker Gregg Bingham intercepted a pass from Griese and returned it 4 yards to midfield. Campbell finally managed to get into gear with a 20-yard run on the ensuing drive, and eventually finished it off with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. The Dolphins closed out the scoring, but only when Pastorini ran out of the end zone for an intentional safety to run out the clock.

Despite his poor first half, Campbell finished the game with 84 rushing yards and a 13-yard reception. Wilson rushed for 76 yards and caught 5 passes for 40. Barber had 112 yards on 4 receptions, while Burroughs caught 6 passes for 103. Griese finished the game just 11/28 for 114 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions.

This was the first postseason meeting between the Oilers and Dolphins.

### AFC Divisional Playoff

[edit]

Houston Oilers 31, New England Patriots 14

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Oilers | 0 | 21 | 3| 7| 31
Patriots | 0 | 0 | 7| 7| 14

at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

* Date: December 31, 1978
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 36 °F or 2.2 °C, relative humidity 70%, wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn), wind chill 30 °F or −1.1 °C
* Game attendance: 60,881
* Referee: Gordon McCarter
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Len Dawson

Quarterback Dan Pastorini led the Oilers to a victory by throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Earl Campbell rushed for 118 yards and a score.

After a scoreless first quarter, Houston completely took over the game. Houston receiver Ken Burrough caught a pass from Pastorini at the Pats 40-yard, broke through coverage from Mike Haynes, and took off for a 71-yard touchdown reception.  Raymond Clayborn's 47-yard kickoff return gave the Patriots a chance to strike back, but two plays later, Steve Grogan's pass on a flea flicker play was intercepted by Mike Reinfeldt on the Oilers 1-yard line. Aided by an unnecessary roughness penalty that gave them a first down after failing to convert a 3rd down on their own 7-yard line, Houston drove 99 yards to score on Pastorini's 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Barber. Again, the Patriots seemed ready to respond, driving to the Oilers 23-yard line, but again they came up short due to Reinfeldt, who intercepted another pass from Grogan to end the drive. Reinfeldt's 27-yard return and another unnecessary roughness penalty against New England gave the Oilers a first down on the Patriots 49-yard line. Pastorini completed a 22-yard pass to Barder, and eventually got his team a 21-0 lead with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Barber at the end of the possession.

Pastorini finished the first half with 10 of 12 completions for 184 yards and 3 touchdowns. He threw only two passes in the second half, both completions. Meanwhile, Grogan was benched with 18 seconds left in the half, having completed only 3 of 12 passes for 38 yards.

A 30-yard field goal by Toni Fritsch gave the Oilers a 24-0 third quarter lead before New England managed a comeback. First they drove 75 yards to score on Andy Johnson's 24-yard halfback option play pass to receiver Harold Jackson. Then in the fourth quarter, they took advantage of a short field due to a poor punt by Cliff Parsley, scoring on Tom Owen's 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Russ Francis that cut their deficit to 24-14. However, their efforts were dashed on their drive when linebacker Gregg Bingham intercepted an Owen pass and returned it 19 yards to the Patriot 18-yard line, setting up Campbell's 2-yard touchdown run to put the game away.

Francis caught 8 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

This was the Patriots only playoff loss at Foxboro Stadium. They did not lose another home playoff game again until 31 years later, seven years after Gillette Stadium opened.

This was the first postseason meeting between the Oilers and Patriots.

### AFC Championship Game (Sunday, January 7, 1979): at (A1) Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]

AFC Championship Game: Houston Oilers 5 at Pittsburgh Steelers 34 – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Oilers (12–7) | 0 | 3 | 2| 0| 5
Steelers (16–2) | 14 | 17 | 3| 0| 34

at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

* Date: January 7, 1979
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: 27 °F or −2.8 °C, freezing rain
* Game attendance: 49,417
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy (play-by-play), John Brodie (color commentator), Merlin Olsen (color commentator) and Mike Adamle (sideline reporter)
* [12]

Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

HOU  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
PIT  | Passing |  |
Rushing |  |
Receiving |  |
Scoring summary

| Quarter  | Time  | Drive | Team  | Scoring information  | Score

|
|
|
|
|

Plays | Yards  | TOP | HOU  | PIT
1  | 10:02  |  |  |  | Steelers  | Harris 7-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick good  | 0  | 7
1  | 1:09  |  |  |  | Steelers  | Bleier 15-yard touchdown run, Gerela kick good  | 0  | 14
2  | 9:39  |  |  |  | Oilers  | 19-yard field goal by Fritsch | 3  | 14
2  | 0:52  |  |  |  | Steelers  | Swann 29-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good  | 3  | 21
2  | 0:33  |  |  |  | Steelers  | Stallworth 17-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw, Gerela kick good  | 3  | 28
2  | 0:04  |  |  |  | Steelers  | 37-yard field goal by Gerela | 3  | 31
3  | 7:46  |  |  |  | Steelers  | 22-yard field goal by Gerela | 3  | 34
3  | 3:50  |  |  |  | Oilers  | Bleier tackled in end zone for a safety by Washington | 5  | 34
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 5  | 34

* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game:

Oilers  | Game Statistics  | Steelers

|
|

| First downs  |
| Rushes–yards  |
| Passing yards  |
| Passes |
| Sacked–yards  |
| Net passing yards  |
| Total yards  |
| Return yards  |
| Punts |
| Fumbles–lost  |
| Penalties–yards  |
| Time of Possession  |

On a wet, slick, and slippery field, the Steelers dominated the Oilers by forcing 9 turnovers and only allowing 5 points. Pittsburgh took the early lead by driving 57 yards to score on running back Franco Harris' 7-yard touchdown run. Then, linebacker Jack Ham recovered a fumble at the Houston 17-yard line, which led to running back Rocky Bleier's 15-yard rushing touchdown.

In the second quarter, a 19-yard field goal by Oilers kicker Toni Fritsch cut the score 14–3, but then the Steelers scored 17 points during the last 48 seconds of the second quarter. First, Houston running back Ronnie Coleman lost a fumble, and moments later Pittsburgh wide receiver Lynn Swann caught a 29-yard touchdown reception. Then Johnnie Dirden fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which led to Steelers wide receiver John Stallworth's 17-yard reception. After the Oilers got the ball back, Coleman fumbled again, and Roy Gerela kicked a field goal to increase Pittsburgh's lead, 31–3. Houston never posed a threat for the rest of the game as they turned over the ball four times in their six second-half possessions.

This was the first postseason meeting between the Oilers and Steelers.

## Milestones and records

[edit]

* Earl Campbell, NFL Rushing Leader, (1,450)
* Earl Campbell, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
* Earl Campbell, PFWA NFL MVP
* Earl Campbell, NEA NFL MVP
* Earl Campbell, NFL Offensive Player of the Year
* Earl Campbell, UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year
* Earl Campbell, 1st 1,000 yard rushing season
* Earl Campbell, 1st NFL rushing title

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Earl Campbell". Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2. ^ "1978 Houston Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
3. ^ "1978 Houston Oilers starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
4. ^ "1978 Houston Oilers Statistics & Players".
5. ^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Atlanta Falcons – September 3, 1978
6. ^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Houston Oilers – September 17, 1978
7. ^ Pro Football Reference; Los Angeles Rams at Houston Oilers – September 24, 1978
8. ^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 23, 1978
9. ^ Pro Football Reference; Miami Dolphins at Houston Oilers – November 20, 1978
10. ^ Pro Football Reference; Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – December 3, 1978
11. ^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at New Orleans Saints – December 10, 1978
12. ^ "AFC Championship Game – Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 7, 1979". Pro Football Reference.

## External links

[edit]

* 1978 Houston Oilers at Pro-Football-Reference.com

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| AFC| East | Central| West| East| Central| West | NFC

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|
|
|

Baltimore | Cincinnati| Denver| Dallas| Chicago| Atlanta
Buffalo | Cleveland| Kansas City| NY Giants| Detroit| Los Angeles
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*[IR]: Injured reserve
*[Passes]: Completions–Attempts–Interceptions
*[Punts]: Number–Average yardage
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[T]: Ties
*[PCT]: Winning percentage
*[DIV]: Win–Loss record within their division
*[CONF]: Win–Loss record within their conference
*[PF]: Points For (Total points scored)
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*[STK]: Current Winning or Losing Streak
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