The 1974 Houston Oilers season was the 15th season overall and fifth with the National Football League. The Oilers improved upon their previous season's 1–13 record, winning seven games.[1] Despite the improvement, they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
Offseason
NFL draft
1974 Houston Oilers draft
|
Round
|
Pick
|
Player
|
Position
|
College
|
Notes
|
4
|
79
|
Steve Manstedt
|
Linebacker
|
Nebraska
|
|
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career
|
[2]
Roster
Schedule
Preseason
Due to a player's strike affecting the 1974 preseason, the Oilers, like the rest of the NFL, played the preseason using an all-rookie roster. The strike was resolved prior to the start of the regular season.
On July 16, the Oilers played a preseason game vs the minor league San Antonio Toros, marking the last time an NFL team would play a game against a minor league team.[3] (In 1969, the Atlanta Falcons rookies would play the minor league Alabama Hawks and in 1972 the New York Jets rookies would play the minor league Long Island Chiefs)[4]
Regular season
Week
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Record
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Recap
|
1
|
September 15
|
San Diego Chargers
|
W 21–14
|
1–0
|
Astrodome
|
25,317
|
Recap
|
2
|
September 22
|
at Cleveland Browns
|
L 7–20
|
1–1
|
Cleveland Municipal Stadium
|
55,242
|
Recap
|
3
|
September 29
|
Kansas City Chiefs
|
L 7–17
|
1–2
|
Astrodome
|
28,538
|
Recap
|
4
|
October 6
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
L 7–13
|
1–3
|
Astrodome
|
30,049
|
Recap
|
5
|
October 13
|
at Minnesota Vikings
|
L 10–51
|
1–4
|
Metropolitan Stadium
|
48,006
|
Recap
|
6
|
October 20
|
St. Louis Cardinals
|
L 27–31
|
1–5
|
Astrodome
|
26,371
|
Recap
|
7
|
October 27
|
at Cincinnati Bengals
|
W 34–21
|
2–5
|
Riverfront Stadium
|
55,434
|
Recap
|
8
|
November 3
|
at New York Jets
|
W 27–22
|
3–5
|
Shea Stadium
|
47,218
|
Recap
|
9
|
November 10
|
at Buffalo Bills
|
W 21–9
|
4–5
|
Rich Stadium
|
79,144
|
Recap
|
10
|
November 17
|
Cincinnati Bengals
|
W 20–3
|
5–5
|
Astrodome
|
44,054
|
Recap
|
11
|
November 24
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
L 0–10
|
5–6
|
Astrodome
|
49,775
|
Recap
|
12
|
December 1
|
at Pittsburgh Steelers
|
W 13–10
|
6–6
|
Three Rivers Stadium
|
41,195
|
Recap
|
13
|
December 8
|
at Denver Broncos
|
L 37–14
|
6–7
|
Mile High Stadium
|
46,942
|
Recap
|
14
|
December 15
|
Cleveland Browns
|
W 28–24
|
7–7
|
Astrodome
|
33,299
|
Recap
|
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
|
Standings
Season summary
Week 1 vs Chargers
Game information
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- HOU – George Amundson 3-yard run (Skip Butler kick). Oilers 21–14. Drive:
|
- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
|
|
References
|
---|
- 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 | |
---|