Houston's defensive line blocking a San Diego rushing attempt during the 1979 AFC Divisional Playoff Game. The 1979 Houston Oilers seasonNational Football League . The franchise scored 362 points while the defense gave up 331 points. Their record of 11 wins and 5 losses resulted in a second-place finish in the AFC Central Division. The Oilers appeared once on Monday Night Football on December 10, 1979 where the sports promotion Luv ya Blue was launched and returned to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year. Earl Campbell would lead the NFL in rushing for the second consecutive year and set a franchise record for most touchdowns in a season with 19. The Oilers would make the playoffs again as a wild card. In the wild card game, they beat the Denver Broncos 13–7, and then defeated the San Diego Chargers 17–14 in San Diego to reach their second straight AFC Championship game. The Oilers then played the Pittsburgh Steelers , who a year earlier had eliminated them 34–5 in the previous AFC Championship game. The Oilers lost the game 27–13. The game included a controversial moment in which wide receiver Mike Renfro had a touchdown called back after the referees of the game took a long time to decide the ruling on the field. The call went down as one of the most controversial calls in NFL history.
As of 2025, this is the most recent season a Houston-based team has reached the AFC Championship Game. The Oilers franchise would not do so again for twenty seasons , by which time they had re-located and become the Tennessee Titans, while Houston's current NFL team has yet to advance past the divisional round.
NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Luv Ya Blue, Bum Builds a Winner ; it was narrated by John Facenda .
Offseason
NFL draft
[ 1]
Personnel
Staff
1979 Houston Oilers staff
Front office
President – Bud Adams
General Manager – Bum Phillips
Senior Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer – Ladd Herzeg
Assistant General Manager – Pat Peppler
Director of College Scouting – Joe Woolley Head coaches
Head Coach – Bum Phillips Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers – Ed Biles
Defensive Line – Wade Phillips
Defensive Secondary – Bob Gambold Special teams coaches
Special Teams – John Paul Young
Roster
1979 Houston Oilers roster
Quarterbacks (QB) Running backs (RB)
34 Earl Campbell 26 Rob Carpenter42 Boobie Clark47 Ronnie Coleman45 Tim WilsonWide receivers (WR)
00 Ken Burrough88 Rich Caster85 Rich Ellender 81 Jeff Groth 12 Guido Merkens82 Mike RenfroTight ends (TE)
86 Mike Barber87 Conrad Rucker
Offensive linemen (OL) 58 David Carter C/G 60 Ed Fisher G 74 Leon Gray T 70 Conway Hayman G 55 Carl Mauck C 68 Tom Randall G 76 Morris Towns T Defensive linemen (DL)
Linebackers (LB) 63 Steve Baumgartner OLB 54 Gregg Bingham ILB 52 Robert Brazile OLB 50 Daryl Hunt ILB 53 Art Stringer ILB 51 Ted Thompson OLB 59 Ted Washington OLB Defensive backs (DB)
19 Willie Alexander CB 20 Bill Currier SS 36 Carter Hartwig CB/FS 21 Charles Jefferson CB 32 Vernon Perry SS 37 Mike Reinfeldt FS 27 Greg Stemrick CB 33 J. C. Wilson CB Special teams (ST)
Reserve
84 Billy Johnson WR (IR) 30 Kenny King RB (IR ) 56 Mike Murphy LB (IR ) 64 George Reihner G (IR ) 73 Greg Sampson T (NF-Ill.) 62 John Schuhmacher G (IR ) 41 Tony Towns LB (IR ) 38 C. L. Whittington S (IR ) 79 Randy Young G (IR ) -- Steve Young TE (IR )
Rookies in italics
[ 2]
Pre season
Schedule
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
HOU
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DAL
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
HOU
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
NO
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
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
Regular season
Schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
Recap
1
at Washington Redskins
W 29–27
1–0
RFK Stadium
54,582
Recap
2
at Pittsburgh Steelers
L 7–38
1–1
Three Rivers Stadium
49,792
Recap
3
September 16
Kansas City Chiefs
W 20–6
2–1
Astrodome
45,684
Recap
4
September 23
at Cincinnati Bengals
W 30–27
3–1
Riverfront Stadium
45,615
Recap
5
September 30
Cleveland Browns
W 31–10
4–1
Astrodome
48,915
Recap
6
October 7
St. Louis Cardinals
L 17–24
4–2
Astrodome
53,043
Recap
7
October 14
at Baltimore Colts
W 28–16
5–2
Memorial Stadium
45,021
Recap
8
October 21
at Seattle Seahawks
L 14–34
5–3
Kingdome
60,705
Recap
9
October 28
New York Jets
W 27–24
6–3
Astrodome
45,825
Recap
10
at Miami Dolphins
W 9–6
7–3
Miami Orange Bowl
70,273
Recap
11
November 11
Oakland Raiders
W 31–17
8–3
Astrodome
48,614
Recap
12
November 18
Cincinnati Bengals
W 42–21
9–3
Astrodome
49,829
Recap
13
at Dallas Cowboys
W 30–24
10–3
Texas Stadium
63,897
Recap
14
December 2
at Cleveland Browns
L 7–14
10–4
Cleveland Municipal Stadium
69,112
Recap
15
Pittsburgh Steelers W 20–17
11–4
Astrodome
55,293
Recap
16
December 16
Philadelphia Eagles
L 20–26
11–5
Astrodome
49,407
Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
AFC Central
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
PF
PA
STK
Pittsburgh Steelers (2)
12
4
0
.750
4–2
9–3
416
262
W1
(4)
11
5
0
.688
4–2
9–3
362
331
L1
Cleveland Browns
9
7
0
.563
2–4
6–6
359
352
L2
Cincinnati Bengals
4
12
0
.250
2–4
2–10
337
421
W1
Regular Season Game summaries
[ 3]
Week 1: Houston Oilers at Washington Redskins – Game summary
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
Date : September 2, 1979Game time : 12:00 p.m. CDT Game weather : 80 °F (27 °C); relative humidity 85%; wind 11 mph (18 km/h)Game attendance : 54,582Referee : Gordon McCarterTV announcers (NBC) : Jim Simpson (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)[ 4] [ 5]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
HOU
Passing
Dan Pastorini 12/30, 176 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing
Earl Campbell 32 CAR, 166 YDS, 2 TDs
Receiving
Billy Johnson 4 REC, 76 YDS, 1 TD
WSH
Passing
Joe Theismann 7/14, 123 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Benny Malone
17 CAR, 58 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving
Jean Fugett 3 REC, 55 YDS, 2 TDs
Point spread :Over/Under: 33.0 (over)
Time of Game:
Oilers
Game Statistics
Redskins
21
First downs
14
45–199
Rushes–yards
34–142
176
Passing yards
123
12–30–3
Passes
7–14–1
1–10
Sacked–yards
2–19
166
Net passing yards
104
365
Total yards
246
99
Return yards
215
3–45.7
Punts
4–36.5
1–0
Fumbles–lost
2–2
5–44
Penalties–yards
6–55
Time of Possession
Individual stats
Oilers Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Pastorini
12/30
176
1
3
1
10
35
31.4
Oilers Rushing
Car2
Yds
TD
LG3
Campbell
32
166
2
18
Wilson
4
22
0
15
Carpenter
5
15
0
6
Barber
1
–2
0
–2
Pastorini
3
–2
0
3
Oilers Receiving
Rec4
Yds
TD
LG3
Johnson
4
76
1
29
Burrough
3
66
0
35
Rucker
2
25
0
16
Campbell
2
2
0
4
Wilson
1
7
0
7
Oilers Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Johnson
4
37
9.3
0
0
King
1
17
17.0
0
0
Merkens
1
9
9.0
0
0
Oilers Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Johnson
1
16
16.0
0
0
Merkens
1
0
0.0
0
0
Oilers Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Parsley
3
137
45.7
Oilers Kicking
FGM–FGA
XPM–XPA
Fritsch
3–3
2–3
Oilers Interceptions
Int
Yds
TD
LG
PD
Reinfeldt
1
20
0
20
0
Starting Lineups
[ 6]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
HOU
Passing
Gifford Nielsen 4/11, 41 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing
Earl Campbell 16 CAR, 38 YDS
Receiving
Billy Johnson 2 REC, 32 YDS
PIT
Passing
Terry Bradshaw 12/29, 198 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing
Franco Harris 14 CAR, 42 YDS
Receiving
Lynn Swann 5 REC, 95 YDS
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
HOU
PIT
1
Steelers
Thornton 1-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick good
0
7
2
Steelers
45-yard field goal by Bahr
0
10
3
Steelers
Thornton 16-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw , Bahr kick good
0
17
3
Steelers
Hawthorne 8-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick good
0
24
4
Steelers
Smith 18-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw , Bahr kick good
0
31
4
–
–
–
Steelers
Interception returned 41 yards for touchdown by Winston, Bahr kick good
0
38
4
Oilers
Merkens 9-yard touchdown reception from Nielsen , Fritsch kick good
7
38
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
7
38
Point spread :Over/Under: 37.0 (over)
Time of Game:
Oilers
Game Statistics
Steelers
12
First downs
17
39–102
Rushes–yards
29–82
57
Passing yards
198
8–27–5
Passes
12–29–2
5–35
Sacked–yards
3–24
22
Net passing yards
174
124
Total yards
256
155
Return yards
160
9–46.1
Punts
7–40.1
4–1
Fumbles–lost
5–0
10–64
Penalties–yards
8–74
Time of possession
Individual stats
Oilers Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Nielsen
4/11
41
1
2
0
0
13
38.6
Pastorini
4/16
16
0
3
5
35
25
0.0
Oilers Rushing
Car2
Yds
TD
LG3
Campbell
16
38
0
12
Coleman
7
22
0
9
Wilson
7
19
0
7
Clark
5
15
0
7
Carpenter
4
8
0
4
Oilers Receiving
Rec4
Yds
TD
LG3
Johnson
2
32
0
25
Rucker
1
13
0
13
Renfro
1
12
0
12
Merkens
1
9
1
9
Earl Campbell
1
4
0
4
Carpenter
1
–3
0
–3
Wilson
1
–10
0
–10
Oilers Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Coleman
4
88
22.0
0
0
Wilson
2
30
15.0
0
0
Merkens
1
13
13.0
0
0
Oilers Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Johnson
3
1
0.3
0
0
Oilers Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Parsley
9
415
46.1
Oilers Kicking
FGM–FGA
XPM–XPA
Fritsch
1–1
Oilers Sacks
Sacks
Dorris
2.0
Culp
1.0
Oilers Interceptions
Int
Yds
TD
LG
PD
Reinfeldt
1
23
0
23
0
Stringer
1
0
0
0
0
Starting Lineups
Week 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 4 at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 5 vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 6 (Sunday, October 7, 1979): vs. St. Louis Cardinals
[ 8]
Week 6: St. Louis Cardinals 24 at Houston Oilers 17 – Game summary
at Astrodome • Houston, Texas
Date : October 7, 1979Game time : 1:00 p.m. CDT Game weather : Indoors (dome)Game attendance : 53,043Referee : Fred SilvaTV announcers (CBS ) : Frank Glieber (play–by–play) and John Madden (color commentator)[ 9]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
STL
Passing
Jim Hart 23/38, 253 YDS, 3 INTs
Rushing
Ottis Anderson 16 CAR, 109 YDS
Receiving
Pat Tilley
6 REC, 69 YDS
HOU
Passing
Dan Pastorini 15/29, 176 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing
Earl Campbell 13 CAR, 53 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving
Ken Burrough
5 REC, 62 YDS, 1 TD
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
STL
HOU
2
Cardinals
Brown 2-yard touchdown run, Little kick good
7
0
2
Oilers
Campbell 4-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good
7
7
2
Oilers
Burrough 11-yard touchdown reception from Pastorini , Fritsch kick good
7
14
3
Cardinals
24-yard field goal by Little
10
14
4
Oilers
51-yard field goal by Fritsch
10
17
4
Cardinals
Morris 1-yard touchdown run, Little kick good
17
17
4
Cardinals
Morris 6-yard touchdown run, Little kick good
24
17
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
24
17
Cardinals
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 7 at Baltimore Colts
Week 8 at Seattle Seahawks
Week 9 vs. New York Jets
Week 10 (Monday, November 5, 1979): at Miami Dolphins
[ 10]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
HOU
Passing
Dan Pastorini 6/10, 25 YDS
Rushing
Earl Campbell 32 CAR, 120 YDS
Receiving
Tim Wilson
2 REC, 4 YDS
MIA
Passing
Bob Griese 14/26, 158 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing
Gary Davis
16 CAR, 51 YDS
Receiving
Gary Davis
8 REC, 58 YDS
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
HOU
MIA
1
4:55
Dolphins
32-yard field goal by von Schamann
0
3
2
14:56
Oilers
46-yard field goal by Fritsch
3
3
3
5:05
Oilers
48-yard field goal by Fritsch
6
3
3
0:02
Oilers
39-yard field goal by Fritsch
9
3
4
12:26
Dolphins
51-yard field goal by von Schamann
9
6
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
9
6
Point spread :Over/Under: 39.0 (under)
Time of Game: 2 hours, 46 minutes
Oilers
Game Statistics
Dolphins
10
First downs
13
46–179
Rushes–yards
26–102
25
Passing yards
158
6–10–0
Passes
14–26–2
2–14
Sacked–yards
2–20
11
Net passing yards
138
190
Total yards
240
108
Return yards
72
7–36.9
Punts
5–38.8
0–0
Fumbles–lost
3–2
8–70
Penalties–yards
4–35
31:26
Time of Possession
28:34
Individual stats
Oilers Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Pastorini
6/10
25
0
0
2
14
24
64.6
Oilers Rushing
Car2
Yds
TD
LG3
Campbell
32
120
0
11
Wilson
9
32
0
9
Pastorini
3
14
0
14
Caster
1
10
0
10
Carpenter
1
3
0
3
Oilers Receiving
Rec4
Yds
TD
LG3
Wilson
2
4
0
3
Ken Burrough
1
24
0
24
Rob Carpenter
1
2
0
2
Conrad Rucker
1
2
0
2
Earl Campbell
1
–7
0
–7
Oilers Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
1
27
27.0
0
27
Hartwig
1
16
16.0
0
16
Oilers Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
2
11
5.5
0
0
Oilers Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Parsley
7
255
36.4
0
Oilers Kicking
FGM–FGA
XPM–XPA
Fritsch
3–4
Oilers Sacks
Sacks
Kennard
1.0
Washington
1.0
Oilers Interceptions
Int
Yds
TD
LG
PD
Bingham
1
54
0
54
Perry
1
0
0
0
Missed field goals – Fritsch 48 (wide left)Starting Lineups
Position
Starting Lineups at Miami
Offense
WR
Ken Burrough
LT
Leon Gray
LG
Conway Hayman
C
Carl Mauck
RG
Ed Fisher
RT
Morris Towns
TE
Mike Barber
WR
Rich Caster
QB
Dan Pastorini
RB
Earl Campbell
FB
Tim Wilson
Defense
LDE
Andy Dorris
NT
Curley Culp
RDE
Elvin Bethea
LOLB
Ted Washington
LILB
Gregg Bingham
RILB
Daryl Hunt
ROLB
Robert Brazile
LCB
J. C. Wilson
RCB
Greg Stemrick
SS
Vernon Perry
FS
Mike Reinfeldt
Week 12 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
[ 12]
Week 13: Houston Oilers 30 at Dallas Cowboys 24 – Game summary
at Texas Stadium • Irving, Texas
Date : November 22, 1979Game time : 3:00 p.m. CST Game weather : 46 °F (8 °C); wind 16 mph (26 km/h)Game attendance : 63,897Referee : Gordon McCarterTV announcers (NBC) : Dick Enberg (play–by–play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator) and Mike Adamle (sideline reporter)[ 13]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
HOU
Passing
Dan Pastorini 9/17, 163 YDS, 2 TDs
Rushing
Earl Campbell 33 CAR, 195 YDS, 2 TDs
Receiving
Ken Burrough
3 REC, 55 YDS, 1 TD
DAL
Passing
Roger Staubach 21/30, 287 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing
Tony Dorsett 12 CAR, 54 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving
Tony Dorsett 5 REC, 36 YDS
Point spread :Over/Under: 41.0 (over)
Time of Game:
Oilers
Game Statistics
Cowboys
17
First downs
20
41–224
Rushes–yards
30–92
163
Passing yards
287
9–17–0
Passes
21–30–2
1–9
Sacked–yards
1–8
154
Net passing yards
279
378
Total yards
371
113
Return yards
124
4–44.5
Punts
3–36.7
1–0
Fumbles–lost
2–1
4–45
Penalties–yards
7–42
Time of Possession
Individual stats
Oilers Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Pastorini
9/17
163
2
0
1
9
47
125.4
Oilers Rushing
Car2
Yds
TD
LG3
Campbell
33
195
2
61
Wilson
4
17
0
7
Carpenter
3
14
0
7
Pastorini
1
–2
0
–2
Oilers Receiving
Rec4
Yds
TD
LG3
Burrough
3
55
1
32
Renfro
2
53
1
47
Barber
2
16
0
11
Caster
1
29
0
29
Carpenter
1
10
0
10
Oilers Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Coleman
2
51
25.5
0
0
Hartwig
2
28
14.0
0
0
Ellender
1
18
18.0
0
18
Oilers Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
1
7
7.0
0
7
Oilers Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Parsley
4
178
44.5
0
Oilers Kicking
FGM–FGA
XPM–XPA
Fritsch
1–1
3–4
Oilers Interceptions
Int
Yds
TD
LG
PD
Perry
1
9
0
9
0
Wilson
1
0
0
0
0
Starting Lineups
Position
Starting Lineups at Dallas
Offense
WR
Ken Burrough
LT
Leon Gray
LG
Conway Hayman
C
Carl Mauck
RG
Ed Fisher
RT
Morris Towns
TE
Mike Barber
WR
Rich Caster
QB
Dan Pastorini
RB
Earl Campbell
FB
Tim Wilson
Defense
LDE
Andy Dorris
NT
Curley Culp
RDE
Elvin Bethea
LOLB
Ted Washington
LILB
Gregg Bingham
RILB
Daryl Hunt
ROLB
Robert Brazile
LCB
J. C. Wilson
RCB
Greg Stemrick
SS
Vernon Perry
FS
Mike Reinfeldt
Week 14 at Cleveland Browns
[ 14]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
PIT
Passing
Terry Bradshaw 14/29, 237 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing
Franco Harris 12 CAR, 59 YDS
Receiving
Lynn Swann 4 REC, 50 YDS
HOU
Passing
Dan Pastorini 10/16, 170 YDS, 1 TD
Rushing
Earl Campbell 33 CAR, 109 YDS
Receiving
Ken Burrough
3 REC, 48 YDS, 1 TD
Point spread :Over/Under: 42.5 (under)
Time of Game:
Steelers
Game Statistics
Oilers
15
First downs
20
22–120
Rushes–yards
54–190
237
Passing yards
170
14–29–2
Passes
10–17–0
3–19
Sacked–yards
1–10
218
Net passing yards
160
338
Total yards
350
114
Return yards
113
4–46.0
Punts
5–34.8
1–0
Fumbles–lost
1–0
10–79
Penalties–yards
4–28
Time of possession
Individual stats
Oilers Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Pastorini
10/16
170
1
0
1
10
25
119.3
Nielsen
0/1
0
0
0
0
0
0
39.6
Oilers Rushing
Car2
Yds
TD
LG3
Campbell
33
109
0
31
Wilson
10
47
0
10
Carpenter
7
25
1
7
Barber
1
6
0
6
Caster
1
5
0
1
Clark
1
0
0
0
Pastorini
1
–2
0
–2
Oilers Receiving
Rec4
Yds
TD
LG3
Burrough
3
48
1
25
Campbell
2
22
0
16
Renfro
1
25
0
25
Caster
1
24
0
24
Barber
1
17
0
17
Carpenter
1
12
0
12
Oilers Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Coleman
2
37
18.5
0
0
Hartwig
1
23
23.0
0
0
Oilers Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
2
6
3.0
0
0
Oilers Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Parsley
5
174
34.8
Oilers Kicking
FGM–FGA
XPM–XPA
MFG
Fritsch
2–3
2–2
44
Oilers Sacks
Sacks
Baker
1.0
Stensrud
1.0
Dorris
0.5
Perry
0.5
Oilers Interceptions
Int
Yds
TD
LG
PD
Brazile
1
26
0
26
0
Stringer
1
21
0
21
0
Starting Lineups
Position
Starting Lineups vs. Pittsburgh
Offense
WR
Ken Burrough
LT
Leon Gray
LG
Conway Hayman
C
Carl Mauck
RG
Ed Fisher
RT
Morris Towns
TE
Mike Barber
WR
Rich Caster
QB
Dan Pastorini
RB
Earl Campbell
FB
Tim Wilson
Defense
LDE
Andy Dorris
NT
Curley Culp
RDE
Elvin Bethea
LOLB
Ted Washington
LILB
Gregg Bingham
RILB
Art Stringer
ROLB
Robert Brazile
LCB
J. C. Wilson
RCB
Greg Stemrick
SS
Vernon Perry
FS
Mike Reinfeldt
[ 16]
Week 16: Philadelphia Eagles 26 at Houston Oilers 20 – Game summary
at Astrodome • Houston, Texas
Date : December 16, 1979Game time : 3:00 p.m. CST Game weather : Indoors (dome)Game attendance : 49,407Referee : Red CashionTV announcers (CBS ) : Gary Bender (play–by–play) and Sonny Jurgenson (color commentator)[ 17]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
PHI
Passing
Ron Jaworski 12/21, 163 YDS
Rushing
Billy Campfield
7 CAR, 68 YDS
Receiving
Wilbert Montgomery 5 REC, 51 YDS
HOU
Passing
Dan Pastorini 7/14, 85 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing
Earl Campbell 16 CAR, 134 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving
Mike Renfro
3 REC, 67 YDS, 1 TD
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
PHI
HOU
1
9:36
4
34
1:08
Eagles
Jaworski 4-yard touchdown run, Franklin kick good
6
0
1
3:06
6
39
1:44
Eagles
22-yard field goal by Franklin
9
0
2
3:47
5
22
1:56
Oilers
Campbell 6-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good
9
7
2
0:33
12
61
3:14
Eagles
41-yard field goal by Franklin
12
7
2
0:00
4
44
0:33
Oilers
44-yard field goal by Fritsch
12
10
3
5:10
9
76
5:22
Eagles
Harris 1-yard touchdown run, Franklin kick good
19
10
4
14:55
9
78
5:15
Oilers
Renfro 7-yard touchdown reception from Pastorini , Fritsch kick good
19
17
4
11:57
7
72
2:58
Eagles
Fitzkee 7-yard touchdown reception from Walton, Franklin kick good
26
17
4
4:23
9
46
3:41
Oilers
37-yard field goal by Fritsch
26
20
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
26
20
Point spread :Over/Under: 39.0 (over)
Time of Game: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Eagles
Game Statistics
Oilers
20
First downs
19
31–168
Rushes–yards
40–235
202
Passing yards
137
16–29–0
Passes
12–27–3
0–0
Sacked–yards
4–33
202
Net passing yards
104
370
Total yards
339
156
Return yards
143
5–42.6
Punts
5–42.0
1–1
Fumbles–lost
0–0
5–40
Penalties–yards
8–49
26:59
Time of Possession
33:01
Individual stats
Oilers Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Pastorini
7/14
85
1
2
1
7
49
53.3
Nielsen
5/13
52
0
1
3
26
20
18.7
Oilers Rushing
Car2
Yds
TD
LG3
Campbell
16
134
1
37
Carpenter
10
45
0
12
Coleman
5
27
0
10
Wilson
5
14
0
5
Caster
1
6
0
6
Pastorini
1
5
0
5
Clark
2
4
0
4
Oilers Receiving
Rec4
Yds
TD
LG3
Renfro
3
67
1
49
Merkens
2
35
0
20
Caster
2
17
0
12
Wilson
1
7
0
7
Groth
1
6
0
6
Campbell
1
4
0
4
Carpenter
1
1
0
1
Clark
1
0
0
0
Oilers Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
6
130
21.7
0
0
Oilers Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
3
13
4.3
0
0
Oilers Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Parsley
5
210
42.0
0
Oilers Kicking
FGM–FGA
XPM–XPA
Fritsch
2–2
2–2
Starting Lineups
Position
Starting Lineups vs. Philadelphia
Offense
WR
Ken Burrough
LT
Leon Gray
LG
Conway Hayman
C
Carl Mauck
RG
Ed Fisher
RT
Morris Towns
TE
Mike Barber
WR
Rich Caster
QB
Dan Pastorini
RB
Earl Campbell
FB
Tim Wilson
Defense
LDE
Andy Dorris
NT
Curley Culp
RDE
Elvin Bethea
LOLB
Ted Washington
LILB
Gregg Bingham
RILB
Art Stringer
ROLB
Robert Brazile
LCB
J. C. Wilson
RCB
Greg Stemrick
SS
Vernon Perry
FS
Mike Reinfeldt
Postseason
Playoffs
1979 AFC Wild Card Playoffs (Sunday, December 23, 1979): vs. (A5) Denver Broncos [ 18]
1979 AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Denver Broncos 7 at Houston Oilers 13 – Game summary
at Astrodome • Houston, Texas
Date : December 23, 1979Game time : 3:00 p.m. CST Game weather : Indoors (dome)Game attendance : 48,776Referee : Gene BarthTV announcers (NBC) : Charlie Jones (play–by–play), Len Dawson (color commentator) and Mike Adamle (sideline reporter)[ 19]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
HOU
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
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
The Oilers managed to shut down the Broncos offense for most of the game en route to a 13–7 win.
[ 20]
1979 AFC Divisional Playoffs: Houston Oilers 17 at San Diego Chargers 14 – Game summary
at San Diego Stadium • San Diego, California
Date : December 29, 1979Game time : 3:00 p.m. CST Game weather : 60 °F (16 °C); relative humidity 37%; wind 8 mph (13 km/h); sunnyGame attendance : 51,192Referee : Ben DreithTV announcers (NBC) : Dick Enberg (play–by–play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator) and Mike Adamle (sideline reporter)[ 21]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
HOU
Passing
Gifford Nielsen 11/19, 111 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Rob Carpenter
18 CAR, 67 YDS
Receiving
Rob Carpenter
4 REC, 23 YDS
SD
Passing
Dan Fouts 25/47, 333 YDS, 5 INTs
Rushing
Lydell Mitchell
8 CAR, 33 YDS
Receiving
Bob Klein
5 REC, 41 YDS
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
HOU
SD
1
4:49
Chargers
Williams 1-yard touchdown run, Wood kick good
0
7
2
4:02
Oilers
26-yard field goal by Fritsch
3
7
2
0:19
Oilers
Clark 1-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good
10
7
3
13:08
Chargers
Mitchell 8-yard touchdown run, Wood kick good
10
14
3
2:05
Oilers
Renfro 47-yard touchdown reception from Nielsen , Fritsch kick good
17
14
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
17
14
Oilers
Game Statistics
Chargers
15
First downs
25
40–148
Rushes–yards
19–63
111
Passing yards
333
11–19–0
Passes
25–47–5
0–0
Sacked–yards
2–16
111
Net passing yards
317
259
Total yards
380
89
Return yards
113
6–40.7
Punts
2–32.0
0–0
Fumbles–lost
0–0
5–45
Penalties–yards
6–30
30:06
Time of possession
29:54
Individual stats
Oilers Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Nielsen
11/19
111
1
1
0
0
47
65.9
Oilers Rushing
Car2
Yds
TD
LG3
Carpenter
18
67
0
11
Wilson
11
39
0
14
Clark
9
30
1
11
Nielsen
2
12
0
14
Oilers Receiving
Rec4
Yds
TD
LG3
Carpenter
4
23
0
7
Wilson
3
16
0
10
Renfro
1
47
1
47
Coleman
1
13
0
13
Barber
1
12
0
12
Oilers Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Hartwig
2
37
18.5
0
24
Ellender
1
16
16.0
0
16
Oilers Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
1
25
25.0
0
25
Oilers Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Parsley
6
244
40.7
50
Oilers Kicking
FGM–FGA
XPM–XPA
Fritsch
1–1
2–2
Oilers Sacks
Sacks
Bethea
1.0
Dorris
1.0
Oilers Interceptions
Int
Yds
TD
LG
PD
Perry
4
0
0
0
0
Wilson
1
3
0
3
0
Reinfeldt
0
8
0
8
0
Starting Lineups
Position
Starting Lineups 1979 AFC Divisional Playoffs at San Diego
Offense
WR
Mike Renfro
LT
Leon Gray
LG
David Carter
C
Carl Mauck
RG
Ed Fisher
RT
Conway Hayman
TE
Mike Barber
WR
Rich Caster
QB
Gifford Nielsen
RB
Rob Carpenter
FB
Tim Wilson
Defense
LDE
Andy Dorris
NT
Curley Culp
RDE
Elvin Bethea
LOLB
Ted Washington
LILB
Gregg Bingham
RILB
Art Stringer
ROLB
Robert Brazile
LCB
J. C. Wilson
RCB
Greg Stemrick
SS
Vernon Perry
FS
Mike Reinfeldt
The Oilers offense, playing without starting quarterback Dan Pastorini , receiver Ken Burrough, and running back Earl Campbell , could only generate 259 yards compared to San Diego's 380. But they still won the game, largely due to the effort of rookie safety Vernon Perry, who set a playoff record with 4 interceptions as the Oilers defeated the Chargers, 17–14. In his first career playoff game, Chargers future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts threw for 333 yards, but was intercepted 5 times.
[ 22]
1979 AFC Championship Game: Houston Oilers 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers 27 – Game summary
at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date : January 6, 1980Game time : 12:00 Noon CST Game weather : 18 °F (−8 °C); relative humidity 66%; wind 11 mph (18 km/h); wind chill 3 °F (−16 °C); cloudyGame attendance : 50,475Referee : Jim Tunney TV announcers (NBC) : Dick Enberg (play–by–play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator) and Sam Nover (sideline reporter)[ 23] [ 5]
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
HOU
PIT
1
12:30
–
–
–
Oilers
Interception returned 75 yards for touchdown by Perry, Fritsch kick good
7
0
1
3:55
Steelers
21-yard field goal by Bahr
7
3
2
14:12
Oilers
21-yard field goal by Fritsch
10
3
2
9:33
Steelers
Cunningham 16-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw , Bahr kick good
10
10
2
2:34
Steelers
Stallworth 20-yard touchdown reception from Bradshaw , Bahr kick good
10
17
4
14:57
Oilers
23-yard field goal by Fritsch
13
17
4
9:50
Steelers
39-yard field goal by Bahe
13
20
4
0:54
Steelers
Bleier 4-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick good
13
27
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
13
27
Oilers
Game Statistics
Steelers
11
First downs
22
22–24
Rushes–yards
36–161
212
Passing yards
219
20–29–1
Passes
18–30–1
1–9
Sacked–yards
3–22
203
Net passing yards
197
227
Total yards
358
147
Return yards
90
4–30.0
Punts
3–51.0
4–2
Fumbles–lost
1–1
2–10
Penalties–yards
5–34
27:06
Time of possession
32:54
Individual stats
Oilers Passing
C/ATT1
Yds
TD
INT
Sk
Yds
LG3
Rate
Pastorini
19/28
203
0
1
1
9
41
74.0
Nielsen
1/1
9
0
0
0
0
9
104.2
Oilers Rushing
Car2
Yds
TD
LG3
Campbell
17
15
0
7
Wilson
4
9
0
5
Caster
1
0
0
0
Oilers Receiving
Rec4
Yds
TD
LG3
Wilson
7
60
0
41
Carpenter
5
23
0
14
Renfro
3
52
0
19
Coleman
2
46
0
32
Merkens
1
12
0
12
Campbell
1
11
0
11
Barber
1
8
0
8
Oilers Kick Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
4
47
11.8
0
19
Hartwig
1
13
13.0
0
13
Carpenter
1
4
4.0
0
4
Oilers Punt Returns
Ret
Yds
Y/Rt
TD
Lng
Ellender
3
8
2.7
0
5
Oilers Punting
Pnt
Yds
Y/P
Lng
Blck
Parsley
4
120
30.0
Oilers Kicking
FGM–FGA
XPM–XPA
Fritsch
2–2
1–1
Oilers Sacks
Sacks
Bethea
1.0
Dorris
1.0
Stensrud
1.0
Oilers Interceptions
Int
Yds
TD
LG
PD
Perry
1
75
1
75
0
Starting Lineups
Position
Starting Lineups 1979 AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh
Offense
WR
Ken Burrough
LT
Leon Gray
LG
David Carter
C
Carl Mauck
RG
Ed Fisher
RT
Conway Hayman
TE
Mike Barber
WR
Rich Caster
QB
Dan Pastorini
RB
Earl Campbell
FB
Tim Wilson
Defense
LDE
Andy Dorris
NT
Curley Culp
RDE
Elvin Bethea
LOLB
Ted Washington
LILB
Gregg Bingham
RILB
Art Stringer
ROLB
Robert Brazile
LCB
J. C. Wilson
RCB
Greg Stemrick
SS
Vernon Perry
FS
Mike Reinfeldt
The Steelers held the Oilers to only 24 rushing yards, but were also aided by a controversial non-touchdown call on Mike Renfro to come away with a 27–13 win. This was the last time an NFL team based in Houston reached the AFC Championship Game , and the closest any franchise in Houston got to going to the Super Bowl .
Awards and records
Earl Campbell , NFL Rushing Leader, (1,697)Earl Campbell, 1979 NFL MVP
Earl Campbell, PFWA NFL MVP (1979)
Earl Campbell, Pro Bowl selection 1979
Earl Campbell, All-Pro selection 1979
Earl Campbell, NEA NFL MVP (1979)
Earl Campbell, NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1979)
Earl Campbell, 1979 Bert Bell Award[ 24]
Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers record, Most Touchdowns in a Season (19)
Mike Reinfeldt, NFL Interception Leader, 12
Milestones
Earl Campbell, 2nd 1,000 yard rushing season
Earl Campbell, 2nd NFL Rushing Title
References
^ "1979 Houston Oilers draftees" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved October 22, 2014 .^ "1979 Houston Oilers starters and roster" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved November 10, 2014 .^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2023-Jan-13.^ Pro Football Reference ; Houston Oilers at Washington Redskins – September 2, 1979 ^ a b c d Tennessee Titans 2023 Media Guide . Tennessee Titans. p. 375.^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2023-Oct-31.^ Pro Football Reference ; Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 9, 1979 ^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2023-Jan-15.^ Pro Football Reference ; St Louis Cardinals at Houston Oilers – October 7, 1979 ^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2025-Apr-19.^ Pro Football Reference ; Houston Oilers at Miami Dolphins – November 5, 1979 ^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2023-Jan-14.^ Pro Football Reference ; Houston Oilers at Dallas Cowboys – November 22, 1979 ^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2023-Oct-31.^ Pro Football Reference ; Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers – December 10, 1979 ^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2023-Jan-15.^ Pro Football Reference ; Philadelphia Eagles at Houston Oilers – December 16, 1979 ^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2025-May-2.^ Pro Football Reference ; 1979 AFC Wild Card Playoffs – Denver Broncos at Houston Oilers – December 23, 1979 ^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2025-Apr-20.^ Pro Football Reference ; 1979 AFC Divisional Playoffs – Houston Oilers at San Diego Chargers – December 29, 1979 ^ The Football Database . Retrieved 2023-Oct-31.^ Pro Football Reference ; 1979 AFC Championship Game – Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 6, 1980 ^ "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients" . Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-28 .
External links
Founded in 1960
Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
Based and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (11) Conference championships (1) League championships (2) Retired numbers Media Current league affiliations Former league affiliation Key personnel
