1988 Houston Oilers season

NFL team season November 2013 March 2026 Houston Oilers 1988 10–6 3rd AFC Central Jerry Glanville Ladd Herzeg Bud Adams Houston Astrodome Won Wild Card Playoffs(at Browns) 24–23Lost Divisional Playoffs(at Bills) 10–17 DT Ray ChildressLB John GrimsleyWR Drew HillG Bruce MatthewsQB Warren MoonG Mike MunchakRB Mike Rozier 180px Oilers seasons The 1988 Houston Oilers season was the franchise's 19th season in the National Football League 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 and appeared in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Warren Moon would be selected for the Pro Bowl. In the playoffs, they defeated the Cleveland Browns 24–23 in the Wild Card game. However, in the divisional playoffs they lost 17–10 to the Buffalo Bills. Offseason NFL draft 1988 NFL draft 1988 Houston Oilers 1 22 Lorenzo White Running back Michigan State yes yes 2 48 Quintin Jones Safety Pittsburgh yes 3 72 Greg Montgomery Punter Michigan State yes yes 5 125 Cris Dishman Cornerback Purdue yes yes 5 130 Chris Verhulst Tight end Chico State yes 6 157 Kurt Crain Linebacker Auburn no 7 187 Tracey Eaton Safety Portland State yes 8 214 David Viaene Offensive tackle Minnesota–Duluth no 9 241 David Spradlin Linebacker TCU no 10 271 Mario Johnson Wide receiver Hawaii no 11 298 Jethro Franklin Defensive line Fresno State no 12 325 John Brantley Linebacker Georgia yes yes no https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1988_draft.htm 1988 Houston Oilers draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com November 12, 2014 Personnel 1988 Houston Oilers Owner/Chairman of the Board/President – Bud Adams Executive Vice President/General Manager – Ladd Herzeg Head Coach – Jerry Glanville Quarterbacks – June Jones Running Backs – Ray Sherman Receivers – Milt Jackson Tight Ends – Richard Smith Offensive Line – Kim Helton Defensive Line – Doug Shively Linebackers – Floyd Reese Secondary – Nick Saban Special Teams – Richard Smith Special Teams Intern- Dwight Point Strength and Rehabilitation – Steve Watterson Roster 1988 Houston Oilers 14 Cody Carlson  1 Warren Moon 10 Brent Pease 32 Alonzo Highsmith FB 20 Allen Pinkett 30 Mike Rozier 33 Spencer Tillman 44 Lorenzo White y 80 Curtis Duncan 81 Ernest Givins 83 Leonard Harris American football 85 Drew Hill 84 Haywood Jeffires 88 Chris Verhulst y 87 Jamie Williams American football 77 Bruce Davis offensive tackle T 73 John Davis offensive lineman G 78 Don Maggs G/T 74 Bruce Matthews G 63 Mike Munchak G 52 Jay Pennison C 70 Dean Steinkuhler T 75 Vince Stroth G/T 97 Robert Banks American football DE 71 Richard Byrd American football NT 79 Ray Childress DE 95 William Fuller American football DE 96 Sean Jones defensive end DE 99 Doug Smith defensive lineman NT 56 Toby Caston ILB 51 Eric Fairs OLB 59 John Grimsley ILB 57 Walter Johnson linebacker OLB 93 Robert Lyles OLB 91 Johnny Meads OLB 53 Eugene Seale ILB 54 Al Smith American football ILB 29 Patrick Allen American football CB 25 Keith Bostic American football SS 24 Steve Brown American football CB 38 Domingo Bryant SS 28 Cris Dishman y CB 31 Jeff Donaldson American football FS 21 Tracey Eaton y FS 23 Richard Johnson defensive back CB 9 Greg Montgomery y P 7 Tony Zendejas K -- Kurt Crain y LB IR 82 Willie Drewrey WR IR -- Mark Dusbabek LB IR 22 Kenny Johnson defensive back S IR 27 Quintin Jones American football y S IR 26 Audray McMillian CB IR -- David Viaene y C/G IR 35 Ray Wallace American football RB IR 69 Doug Williams offensive lineman G IR -- Almon Young G IR 47 active, 10 inactive Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 4 at Indianapolis Colts W 17–14 (OT) 1–0 Hoosier Dome 57,251 2 September 11 Los Angeles Raiders W 38–35 2–0 Astrodome 46,050 3 September 18 at New York Jets L 3–45 2–1 Giants Stadium 64,683 4 September 25 New England Patriots W 31–6 3–1 Astrodome 38,646 5 October 2 at Philadelphia Eagles L 23–32 3–2 Veterans Stadium 64,692 6 October 9 Kansas City Chiefs W 7–6 4–2 Astrodome 39,134 7 October 16 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 34–14 5–2 Three Rivers Stadium 52,229 8 October 23 at Cincinnati Bengals L 21–44 5–3 Riverfront Stadium 54,659 9 October 30 Washington Redskins W 41–17 6–3 Astrodome 48,781 10 November 7 Cleveland Browns W 24–17 7–3 Astrodome 51,467 11 November 13 at Seattle Seahawks L 24–27 7–4 Kingdome 60,446 12 November 20 Phoenix Cardinals W 38–20 8–4 Astrodome 43,843 13 November 24 at Dallas Cowboys W 25–17 9–4 Texas Stadium 50,845 14 December 4 Pittsburgh Steelers L 34–37 9–5 Astrodome 47,791 15 December 11 Cincinnati Bengals W 41–6 10–5 Astrodome 50,269 16 December 18 at Cleveland Browns L 23–28 10–6 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 74,610 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Season summary Week 1 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 1: Houston Oilers at Indianapolis Colts September 4, 1988 3:00 p.m. CDT Oilers 7 7 0 0 3 Colts 7 7 0 0 0 Hoosier Dome • Indianapolis, Indiana 57,251 Jerry Seeman NBC Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Jon Morris (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Colts HOU IND collapsed 17 14 The game started at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 4, 1988, in Hoosier Dome. First Quarter: Touchdown, Gary Hogeboom to Matt Bouza, 23 yard pass (Indianapolis Colts). Touchdown, Steve Brown, 44 yard interception return (Houston Oilers). Second Quarter: Touchdown, Albert Bentley, 1 yard rush (Indianapolis Colts). Touchdown, Mike Rozier, 1 yard rush (Houston Oilers). Third Quarter: No points scored. Fourth Quarter: No points scored. Overtime: Field Goal, Tony Zendejas, 35 yard kick (Houston Oilers). The game ended in overtime at 17-14, with the Houston Oilers on top. Week 2 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 2: Los Angeles Raiders at Houston Oilers September 11, 1988 3:00 p.m. CDT Raiders 7 21 0 7 Oilers 7 14 3 14 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 46,050 Ben Dreith NBC Ray Scott (play-by-play) and Joe Namath (color commentator) (blacked out locally) Pro-Football-Reference.com Raiders Oilers LAR HOU collapsed 35 38 The game started at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 11, 1988. The game was played at the Houston Astrodome. In the first quarter, Marcus Allen of the Raiders rushed one yard for a touchdown. That same quarter, Allen Pinkett of the Oilers rushed three yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Willie Gault of the Raiders received a 42-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein for a touchdown. In that quarter, Tim Brown of the Raiders also received a 4-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein for another touchdown. Allen Pinkett of the Oilers rushed for a one-yard touchdown in the same quarter, Steve Smith of the Raiders received a 9-yard pass from Steve Beuerlein in the same quarter, Drew Hill received a 16-yard pass from Cody Carlson of the Oilers for the fifth touchdown in that quarter between both teams. In the third quarter, Tony Zendejas kicked a 19-yard field goal for the Oilers. In the fourth quarter, Ernest Givins of the Oilers received a 12-yard touchdown pass from Cody Carlson. Also in that quarter, Marcus Allen of the Raiders rushed one yard for a touchdown. Allen Pinkett of the Oilers brought back the lead on that quarter, rushing 6 yards for a touchdown. Eventually, the game ended 38-35 with the Oilers on top, resulting in a win.Los Angeles Raiders at Houston Oilers - September 11th, 1988 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198809110oti.htm 2021-03-21 Pro-Football-Reference.com en Week 3 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 3: Houston Oilers at New York Jets September 18, 1988 12 Noon CDT Oilers 3 0 0 0 Jets 14 14 3 14 Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey 64,683 Bob McElwee NBC Curt Gowdy (play-by-play) and Al DeRogatis (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Jets HOU NYJ collapsed 3 45 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 of the Oilers kicked a 30-yard field goal, scoring the only points of the game for the Oilers. Kurt Sohn of the New York Jets received a 8-yard pass from Ken O'Brien for a touchdown in the same quarter. Also in the first quarter, Freeman McNeil of the New York Jets rushed 8 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Wesley Walker of the New York Jets received two touchdown passes from . Ken O'Brien, 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 received a 23-yard pass from Pat Ryan, resulting in a touchdown. Also in that quarter, Mike Zordich 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. Week 4 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 4: New England Patriots at Houston Oilers September 25, 1988 12 Noon CDT Patriots 6 0 0 0 Oilers 7 7 7 10 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 38,646 Red Cashion NBC Mel Proctor (play-by-play) and Jerry Kramer (color commentator) (blacked out locally) Pro-Football-Reference.com Patriots Oilers NE HOU collapsed 6 31 Week 5 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 5: Houston Oilers at Philadelphia Eagles October 2, 1988 12 Noon CDT Oilers 16 0 0 7 Eagles 0 20 9 3 Veterans Stadium • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 64,692 Dick Jorgensen NBC Mel Proctor (play-by-play) and Larry Csonka (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Eagles HOU PHI collapsed 23 32 Week 6 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Oilers October 9, 1988 12 Noon CDT Chiefs 3 3 0 0 Oilers 0 0 7 0 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 39,134 Fred Silva NBC Jay Randolph (play-by-play) and Reggie Rucker (color commentator) (blacked out locally) Pro-Football-Reference.com Chiefs Oilers KC HOU collapsed 6 7 Week 7 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 7: Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers October 16, 1988 12 Noon CDT Oilers 6 12 7 9 Steelers 0 7 0 7 Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 52,229 Jerry Markbreit NBC Jay Randolph (play-by-play) and Reggie Rucker (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Steelers HOU PIT collapsed 34 14 Week 8 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 8: Houston Oilers at Cincinnati Bengals October 23, 1988 12 Noon CDT Oilers 0 7 14 0 Bengals 28 0 7 9 Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio 54,659 Fred Wyant NBC Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Eagles HOU CIN collapsed 21 44 Week 9 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 9: Washington Redskins at Houston Oilers October 30, 1988 7:00 p.m. CST Redskins 0 3 7 7 Oilers 7 17 7 10 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 48,781 Pat Haggerty ESPN Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Joe Theismann (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Redskins Oilers WSH HOU collapsed 17 41 Week 10 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 10: Cleveland Browns at Houston Oilers November 7, 1988 8:00 p.m. CST Browns 3 0 7 7 Oilers 0 7 14 3 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 51,467 Tom Dooley ABC Al Michaels (play-by-play), Dan Dierdorf (color commentator) and Frank Gifford (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Browns Oilers CLE HOU collapsed 17 24 Week 11 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 11: Houston Oilers at Seattle Seahawks November 13, 1988 3:00 p.m. CST Oilers 7 3 7 7 Seahawks 7 3 7 10 Kingdome • Seattle, Washington 60,446 Dick Hantak NBC Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Cefalo (sportscaster) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Seahawks HOU SEA collapsed 24 27 Week 12 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 12: Phoenix Cardinals at Houston Oilers November 20, 1988 12 Noon CST Cardinals 0 7 7 6 Oilers 7 17 7 7 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 43,843 Johnny Grier CBS Verne Lundquist (play-by-play) and Terry Bradshaw (color commentator) (blacked out locally) Pro-Football-Reference.com Cardinals Oilers PHO HOU collapsed 20 38 Week 13 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 13: Houston Oilers at Dallas Cowboys November 24, 1988 3:00 p.m. CST Oilers 0 10 3 12 Cowboys 7 3 7 0 Texas Stadium • Irving, Texas 50,845 Gene Barth NBC Dick Enberg (play-by-play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Cowboys HOU DAL collapsed 25 17 This would be Houston's last win on the road against the Cowboys until 2024. Week 14 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers December 4, 1988 7:00 p.m. CST Steelers 3 14 7 13 Oilers 0 13 14 7 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 47,791 Bob McElwee ESPN Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Joe Theismann (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Steelers Oilers PIT HOU collapsed 37 34 Week 15 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 15: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Oilers December 11, 1988 12 Noon CST Bengals 0 3 3 0 Oilers 7 17 7 10 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 50,269 Tom Dooley NBC Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Jimmy Cefalo (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Bengals Oilers CIN HOU collapsed 6 41 Week 16 Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 16: Houston Oilers at Cleveland Browns December 18, 1988 12 Noon CST Oilers 10 6 7 0 Browns 0 7 7 14 Cleveland Stadium • Cleveland, Ohio 74,610 Dick Jorgensen NBC Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Browns HOU CLE collapsed 23 28 Standings Playoffs Week Date Opponent Result Attendance Wild Card December 24 at Cleveland Browns W 24–23 74,977 Divisional January 1, 1989 at Buffalo Bills L 10–17 79,532 AFC Wild Card Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed AFC Wild Card Playoff: Houston Oilers at Cleveland Browns December 24, 1988 12:30 p.m. CST Oilers 0 14 0 10 Browns 3 6 7 7 Cleveland Stadium • Cleveland, Ohio 74,977 Jerry Seeman NBC Don Criqui (play-by-play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Browns HOU CLE collapsed 24 23 This was the last time an NFL team from Houston won a playoff game on the road. The Oilers would lose their next four road playoff games in Houston, and the Houston Texans are 0-6 in road playoff games as of 2024.March 2026 AFC Divisional Houston Oilers 1988 2; text-align:center collapsed AFC Divisional Playoff: Houston Oilers at Buffalo Bills January 1, 1989 11:30 a.m. CST Oilers 0 3 0 7 Bills 0 7 7 3 Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York 79,532 Gordon McCarter NBC Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Paul Maguire (color commentator) Pro-Football-Reference.com Oilers Bills HOU BUF collapsed 10 17 Awards and records Warren Moon, Pro Bowl Warren Moon, All-Pro selection Milestones Drew Hill, 3rd 1,000 Yard Receiving Season (1,141) References External links 1988 Houston Oilers at Pro-Football-Reference.com Houston Oilers Category:Houston Oilers seasons Houston Category:1988 in Houston