The 1988 Houston Oilers season was the
franchise
Franchise may refer to:
Business and law
* Franchising, a business method that involves licensing of trademarks and methods of doing business to franchisees
* Franchise, a privilege to operate a type of business such as a cable television p ...
's 19th
season
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperate and ...
in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
and the 29th overall. The franchise scored 424 points, which was second in the AFC and second overall in the NFL. The defense gave up 365 points. Their record of 10 wins and 6 losses resulted in a third-place finish in the AFC Central Division. The Oilers appeared once on
Monday Night Football
''ESPN Monday Night Football'' (abbreviated as ''MNF'' and also known as ''ESPN Monday Night Football on ABC'' for simulcasts) is an American live television broadcast of weekly National Football League (NFL) games currently airing on ESPN, A ...
and appeared in the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Warren Moon
Harold Warren Moon (born November 18, 1956) is an American former football quarterback who played professionally for 23 seasons. He spent the majority of his career with the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL) and the Edmonton ...
would be selected for the Pro Bowl. In the playoffs, they defeated the
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (A ...
24-23 in the Wild Card game. However, in the divisional playoffs, they lost 17-10 to the
Bills.
Offseason
NFL draft
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Season summary
Week 1
The game started at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 4, 1988, in
Hoosier Dome
The RCA Dome (originally Hoosier Dome) was a domed stadium in Indianapolis. It was the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons (1984–2007).
It was completed at a cost of $77.5 million, as part of the Indiana Convention Cen ...
.
''First Quarter:''
*Touchdown,
Gary Hogeboom
Gary Keith Hogeboom (born August 21, 1958) is an American former football quarterback, real estate developer, and television personality. He played in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and Phoenix Cardinals. ...
to
Matt Bouza, 23 yard pass (
Indianapolis Colts).
*Touchdown,
Steve Brown, 44 yard interception return (
Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers began play in 1960 a ...
).
''Second Quarter:''
*Touchdown,
Albert Bentley
Albert Timothy Bentley (born August 15, 1960) is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers. He also was a member of the Michigan Panthers and Oakland Invaders ...
, 1 yard rush (
Indianapolis Colts).
*Touchdown,
Mike Rozier
Michael T. Rozier (born March 1, 1961) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the United States Football League (USFL) for two seasons and the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons duri ...
, 1 yard rush (
Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers began play in 1960 a ...
).
''Third Quarter:''
No points scored.
''Fourth Quarter:''
No points scored.
''Overtime:''
*Field Goal,
Tony Zendejas
Tony Zendejas (born May 15, 1960) is a Mexican-American former NFL placekicker. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League (USFL). After the USFL folded, he was selected in the first ...
, 35 yard kick (
Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers began play in 1960 a ...
).
The game ended in overtime at 17-14, with the
Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers began play in 1960 a ...
on top.
Week 2
The game started at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 11, 1988. The game was played at the
Houston Astrodome
The NRG Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome, is the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, located in Houston, Texas. It was financed and assisted in development by Roy Hofheinz, mayor of Houston ...
. In the first quarter,
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen (born March 26, 1960) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Raiders. Considered one of the greatest goal line and short- ...
of the
Raiders rushed one yard for a touchdown. That same quarter,
Allen Pinkett of the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
rushed three yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter,
Willie Gault
Willie James Gault (born September 5, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders. Considered one of the ...
of the
Raiders received a 42-yard pass from
Steve Beuerlein
Stephen Taylor Beuerlein (born March 7, 1965) is a former American football quarterback, and is currently an NFL and college football analyst for CBS.
High school career
In his senior year, Beuerlein led Anaheim's Servite High School to the C ...
for a touchdown. In that quarter,
Tim Brown of the
Raiders also received a 4-yard pass from
Steve Beuerlein
Stephen Taylor Beuerlein (born March 7, 1965) is a former American football quarterback, and is currently an NFL and college football analyst for CBS.
High school career
In his senior year, Beuerlein led Anaheim's Servite High School to the C ...
for another touchdown.
Allen Pinkett of the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
rushed for a one-yard touchdown in the same quarter,
Steve Smith Stephen, Steve, Stevie, or Steven Smith may refer to:
Academics
* Steve Smith (political scientist) (born 1952), British international relations theorist and senior university manager
* Stephen Smith (journalist) (born 1956), American journalist, ...
of the
Raiders received a 9-yard pass from
Steve Beuerlein
Stephen Taylor Beuerlein (born March 7, 1965) is a former American football quarterback, and is currently an NFL and college football analyst for CBS.
High school career
In his senior year, Beuerlein led Anaheim's Servite High School to the C ...
in the same quarter,
Drew Hill received a 16-yard pass from
Cody Carlson
Matthew Cody Carlson (born November 5, 1963) is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 3rd round of the 1987 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 200-lb. quarterback from Baylor University, Carlson played in ...
of the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
for the fifth touchdown in that quarter between both teams. In the third quarter,
Tony Zendejas
Tony Zendejas (born May 15, 1960) is a Mexican-American former NFL placekicker. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League (USFL). After the USFL folded, he was selected in the first ...
kicked a 19-yard field goal for the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
. In the fourth quarter,
Ernest Givins of the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
received a 12-yard touchdown pass from
Cody Carlson
Matthew Cody Carlson (born November 5, 1963) is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 3rd round of the 1987 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 200-lb. quarterback from Baylor University, Carlson played in ...
. Also in that quarter,
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen (born March 26, 1960) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Raiders. Considered one of the greatest goal line and short- ...
of the
Raiders rushed one yard for a touchdown.
Allen Pinkett of the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
brought back the lead on that quarter, rushing 6 yards for a touchdown. Eventually, the game ended 38-35 with the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
on top, resulting in a win.
Week 3
The game started at 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 18, 1988. The game was played at
Giants Stadium. In the first quarter,
Tony Zendejas
Tony Zendejas (born May 15, 1960) is a Mexican-American former NFL placekicker. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League (USFL). After the USFL folded, he was selected in the first ...
of the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
kicked a 30-yard field goal, scoring the only points of the game for the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
.
Kurt Sohn
Kurt Sohn (born June 26, 1957 in Ithaca, New York) is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for eight seasons for the New York Jets from 1981 to 1988. After growing up in Huntington (New York) and excelling in ...
of the
New York Jets received a 8-yard pass from
Ken O'Brien
Kenneth John O'Brien Jr. (born November 27, 1960) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. When he retired he was the only Jets quarterback to have ever ...
for a touchdown in the same quarter. Also in the first quarter,
Freeman McNeil
Freeman McNeil (born April 22, 1959) is a former professional American football player. He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round as the third overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft.
Early life
McNeil was born in Jackson, Mississippi. ...
of the
New York Jets rushed 8 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter,
Wesley Walker
Wesley Darcel Walker (born May 26, 1955) is a former professional American football wide receiver who played for the New York Jets from 1977 to 1989.
Walker graduated from Carson High School in Carson, California, where he set many receiving ...
of the
New York Jets received two touchdown passes from .
Ken O'Brien
Kenneth John O'Brien Jr. (born November 27, 1960) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. When he retired he was the only Jets quarterback to have ever ...
, with the distances being 4-yards and 50-yards. In the third quarter, Pat Leahy of the
Jets kicked a 47-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter,
Wesley Walker
Wesley Darcel Walker (born May 26, 1955) is a former professional American football wide receiver who played for the New York Jets from 1977 to 1989.
Walker graduated from Carson High School in Carson, California, where he set many receiving ...
received a 23-yard pass from
Pat Ryan, resulting in a touchdown. Also in that quarter,
Mike Zordich
Michael Edward Zordich (born October 12, 1963) is a former American football defensive back and is a defensive backs coach for the Central Michigan. He played college football at Penn State. He was drafted in the ninth round (235th overall) o ...
of the
Jets intercepted a pass, and ran 35 yards for a touchdown. The final score was 45-3, with the
New York Jets on top. This game was a loss for the
Oilers
Oiler may refer to:
Ships
* Replenishment oiler
* Tanker (ship)
Sports
* Cape Breton Oilers, a former American Hockey League team
* City Oilers, Ugandan basketball team
* Edmonton Oilers, a National Hockey League team based in Edmonton, Alberta, ...
.
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Standings
Playoffs
AFC Wild Card
AFC Divisional
Awards and records
* Warren Moon, Pro Bowl
* Warren Moon,
All-Pro
All-Pro is an honor bestowed upon professional American football players that designates the best player at each position during a given season. All-Pro players are typically selected by press organizations, who select an "All-Pro team," a list t ...
selection
Milestones
* Drew Hill, 3rd 1,000 Yard Receiving Season (1,141)
References
External links
1988 Houston Oilersat
Pro-Football-Reference.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:1988 Houston Oilers Season
Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996 before relocating to Memphis, and later Nashville, Tennessee becoming the Tennessee Titans. The Oilers began play in 1960 a ...
Houston Oilers seasons
Houston
Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 i ...
1988 in Houston