1984 Houston Oilers season
The 1984 Houston Oilers season was the 25th season overall and 15th with the league. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 2–14, winning three games,[1] but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. With hopes of improving the offense the Oilers won the bidding war to sign CFL star Quarterback Warren Moon. However, with Earl Campbell in full decline, the Oilers decided to trade him to the Saints after a 1–5 start. The move would leave a gaping hole at running back, but it was the defense that was a greater weak spot as the Oilers finished with a 3–13 record, allowing 457 points on the season.
1984 Houston Oilers season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Hugh Campbell |
General manager | Ladd Herzeg |
Owner | Bud Adams |
Home field | Houston Astrodome |
Results | |
Record | 3–13 |
Division place | 4th AFC Central |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Regular Season
Despite having CFL star Warren Moon at quarterback, the Oilers stumbled out of the gate, falling to 0-10 before picking up a 17-16 win on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. The following week they beat the New York Jets 31-20. In that game Moon tossed two touchdown passes to Tim Smith and one to Herkie Walls. The Oilers defense intercepted a Ken O'Brien pass.[2] They picked up their third and final win of the season in overtime against the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-20. Moon connected with tight end Chris Dressell for a touchdown and Steelers quarterback Mark Malone tossed two interceptions one to rookie Bo Eason and the other to Willie Tullis.[3] The Oilers finished the season in last place in the AFC Central with a 3-13 record.[4]
Offseason
The 1984 draft would yield some solid players for Houston. They selected Dean Steinkuhler in round one. They used their second round choice to draft Doug Smith out of Auburn, but he spurred the Oilers to sign with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL. The draft also saw Houston land Johnny Meads, Jeff Donaldson, John Grimsley and Patrick Allen
NFL draft
The following players were selected in the 1984 NFL draft.
1984 Houston Oilers draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Dean Steinkuhler | Offensive tackle | Nebraska | |
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
Supplemental draft
The following players were selected in the 1984 NFL supplemental draft.
1984 Houston Oilers draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Mike Rozier * | Running back | Nebraska | |
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
Personnel
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 2 | Los Angeles Raiders | L 14–24 | 0–1 | Astrodome | Recap |
2 | September 9 | Indianapolis Colts | L 21–35 | 0–2 | Astrodome | Recap |
3 | September 16 | at San Diego Chargers | L 14–31 | 0–3 | Jack Murphy Stadium | Recap |
4 | September 23 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 10–42 | 0–4 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | Recap |
5 | September 30 | New Orleans Saints | L 10–27 | 0–5 | Astrodome | Recap |
6 | October 7 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 3–13 | 0–6 | Riverfront Stadium | Recap |
7 | October 14 | at Miami Dolphins | L 10–28 | 0–7 | Miami Orange Bowl | Recap |
8 | October 21 | San Francisco 49ers | L 21–34 | 0–8 | Astrodome | Recap |
9 | October 28 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 13–31 | 0–9 | Astrodome | Recap |
10 | November 4 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 7–35 | 0–10 | Three Rivers Stadium | Recap |
11 | November 11 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 17–16 | 1–10 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap |
12 | November 18 | New York Jets | W 20–31 | 2–10 | Astrodome | Recap |
13 | November 25 | at Cleveland Browns | L 10–27 | 2–11 | Cleveland Stadium | Recap |
14 | December 2 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 23–20 | 3–11 | Astrodome | Recap |
15 | December 9 | at Los Angeles Rams | L 16–27 | 3–12 | Anaheim Stadium | Recap |
16 | December 16 | Cleveland Browns | L 20–27 | 3–13 | Astrodome | Recap |
Standings
AFC Central | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Pittsburgh Steelers(3) | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 6–6 | 387 | 310 | W2 |
Cincinnati Bengals | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 5–1 | 6–6 | 339 | 339 | W4 |
Cleveland Browns | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 3–3 | 4–8 | 250 | 297 | W1 |
Houston Oilers | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 240 | 437 | L2 |
Season summary
Week 15
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oilers | 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
Rams | 17 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
at Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, California
- Date: December 9, 1984
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Sunny, 58 °F (14 °C)
- Game attendance: 49,092
- TV: NBC
- Pro-Football-Reference.com, The Football Database
Game information | ||
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References
- 1984 Houston Oilers
- https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198411180oti.htm
- https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198412020oti.htm
- https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1984.htm
- "1984 Houston Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 12, 2014.