1996 Houston Oilers season

37th season in franchise history, final one in Houston November 2013 March 2026 Houston Oilers 1996 8–8 4th AFC Central Jeff Fisher Jerry Rhome Steve Sidwell Floyd Reese Bud Adams Houston Astrodome Did not qualify OLB John Henry MillsSS Blaine Bishop 1997 (Tenn.) 180px Oilers seasons 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 7–9,1996 Houston Oilers 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, the Oilers failed to sell out any of its home games at the Houston Astrodome for the second consecutive season.Hlavaty Craig Remember when: Houston Oilers played their last home game at the Astrodome https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Today-in-1996-the-Houston-Oilers-played-their-12433236.php https://web.archive.org/web/20250614005726/https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Today-in-1996-the-Houston-Oilers-played-their-12433236.php 2025-06-14 2025-08-17 Chron en 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.PRO FOOTBALL;N.F.L. Owners Approve Move To Nashville By the Oilers. The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2012. 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.Oilers hope to prove lame ducks can soar. The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2012. 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 1996 NFL draft 1996 Houston Oilers 1 14 Eddie George Running back Ohio State yes yes 2 38 Bryant Mix Defensive end Alcorn State yes 2 48 Jason Layman Offensive tackle Tennessee yes 3 74 Terry Killens Linebacker Penn State yes 4 107 Kendrick Burton Defensive end Alabama yes 4 109 Jon Runyan Offensive tackle Michigan yes yes 5 143 Rayna Stewart Safety Northern Arizona yes 6 177 Anthony Dorsett Cornerback Pittsburgh yes 7 218 Mike Archie Running back Penn State yes no https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1996_draft.htm 1996 Houston Oilers draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com October 27, 2014 Personnel Staff 1996 Houston Oilers Owner/chairman of the board/president – Bud Adams Executive vice-president/general manager – Floyd Reese Head coach – Jeff Fisher 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 coordinator – Steve Sidwell Defensive line – Rex Norris Linebackers – Gregg Williams Defensive backs – Rod Perry Defensive assistant/quality control – Alan Lowry Special teams – Russ Purnell Strength and conditioning – Steve Watterson Roster 1996 Houston Oilers 12 Chris Chandler American football  9 Steve McNair 16 James Ritchey y 32 Mike Archie y 27 Eddie George y 33 Ronnie Harmon 20 Rodney Thomas 86 Willie Davis wide receiver 83 Malcolm Floyd 85 Derek Russell 81 Chris Sanders wide receiver 82 Sheddrick Wilson y 88 Roderick Lewis 87 James McKeehan LS 80 Michael Roan 89 Frank Wycheck 77 Kevin Donnalley G 72 Brad Hopkins T 75 Irv Eatman T 60 Hicham El-Mashtoub C 71 Melvin Hayes T 66 Jason Layman y G/T 74 Bruce Matthews G 64 Erik Norgard C/G 69 Jon Runyan y T Sr. 53 Mark Stepnoski C 94 Kendrick Burton y DE 78 Anthony Cook defensive end DE 92 Henry Ford defensive lineman DT 93 Mike Halapin y DT 97 Bryant Mix y DT 90 James Roberson American football DE 96 Gary Walker defensive end DT 99 Robert Young American football DE 56 Micheal Barrow OLB 58 Joe Bowden OLB 51 Lemanski Hall OLB 57 Lenoy Jones y OLB 50 Terry Killens y OLB 55 John Henry Mills MLB 52 Barron Wortham MLB 23 Blaine Bishop SS 39 Lee Cole y defensive back CB 28 Cris Dishman CB 30 Anthony Dorsett y CB 24 Steve Jackson defensive back CB 29 Darryll Lewis CB 31 Marcus Robertson FS 37 Rafael Robinson SS 26 Rayna Stewart y CB/S  3 Al Del Greco K 21 Mel Gray return specialist RS  7 Reggie Roby P 91 Josh Evans defensive lineman DT IR 54 Al Smith American football LB IR 53 active, 2 inactive, 3 practice squad 70 Ron Florine T  5 Mitch Running WR 18 Chris Sanders running back y TE https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1996_roster.htm 1996 Houston Oilers starters, roster, and players Pro-Football-Reference.com October 28, 2014 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 Game summaries Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week One: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Oilers – Game summary September 1 12:00 p.m. CDT Chiefs 7 10 0 3 Oilers 10 6 0 3 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 27,725 None (indoor stadium) NBC Don Criqui and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally) Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Two: Houston Oilers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary September 8 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT Oilers 10 14 7 3 Jaguars 10 3 7 7 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida 66,468 82 F C NBC Dan Hicks and Bart Oates Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Three: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Oilers – Game summary September 15 12:00 p.m. CDT Ravens 0 7 0 6 Oilers 14 3 9 3 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 20,082 None (indoor stadium) NBC Dan Hicks and Bart Oates (blacked out locally) Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Five: Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary September 29 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT Oilers 0 0 14 2 Steelers 17 3 0 10 Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 58,608 Mostly sunny, 53 F C Tom White NBC Don Criqui and Beasley Reece Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Six: Houston Oilers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary October 6 7:00 p.m. CDT/8:00 p.m. EDT Oilers 3 7 7 10 3 Bengals 0 13 7 7 0 Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio 44,680 Clear, 59 F C TNT Verne Lundquist and Pat Haden Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Seven: Houston Oilers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary October 13 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT Oilers 7 3 7 6 Falcons 0 0 0 13 Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 35,401 None (indoor stadium) NBC Don Criqui and Beasley Reece Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Eight: Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – Game summary October 20 3:00 p.m. CDT Steelers 7 3 0 3 Oilers 3 6 0 14 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 50,337 None (indoor stadium) Red Cashion NBC Don Criqui and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally) Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Nine: San Francisco 49ers at Houston Oilers – Game summary October 27 12:00 p.m. CST 49ers 3 0 0 7 Oilers 0 6 0 3 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 53,664 None (indoor stadium) Fox Dick Stockton and Matt Millen (blacked out locally) Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Ten: Houston Oilers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary November 3 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST Oilers 3 0 3 10 Seahawks 3 3 3 14 Kingdome, Seattle, Washington 36,320 None (indoor stadium) Johnny Grier NBC Dan Hicks and Bob Golic Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Eleven: Houston Oilers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary November 10 12:00 p.m. CST Oilers 14 7 7 3 Saints 3 3 0 8 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana 34,121 None (indoor stadium) NBC Dan Hicks and Bart Oates Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at Houston Oilers – Game summary November 17 3:00 p.m. CST Dolphins 0 10 3 10 Oilers 14 0 3 3 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 47,358 None (indoor stadium) NBC Tom Hammond and Bob Trumpy (blacked out locally) Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at Houston Oilers – Game summary November 24 12:00 p.m. CST Panthers 0 10 7 14 Oilers 0 3 0 3 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 20,107 None (indoor stadium) Fox Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville (blacked out locally) Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Fourteen: Houston Oilers at New York Jets – Game summary December 1 3:00 p.m. CST/4:00 p.m. EST Oilers 14 7 0 14 Jets 0 10 0 0 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 21,731 51 F C NBC Charlie Jones, Randy Cross and Len Berman Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Fifteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Oilers – Game summary December 8 12:00 p.m. CST Jaguars 7 3 7 6 Oilers 0 7 0 10 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 20,196 None (indoor stadium) NBC Jim Donovan and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally) Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Sixteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Oilers – Game summary December 15 12:00 p.m. CST Bengals 0 0 14 7 Oilers 3 3 0 7 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 15,131 None (indoor stadium) NBC Jim Lampley and Bob Golic (blacked out locally) Box score 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 Houston Oilers 1996 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Seventeen: Houston Oilers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary December 22 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST Oilers 10 7 7 0 Ravens 7 0 0 14 Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland 52,704 Cloudy, 27 F C NBC Jim Donovan and Bart Oates Box score 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 External links 1996 Houston Oilers at Pro-Football-Reference.com Category:Houston Oilers seasons Houston Oilers Houston Category:1996 in Houston