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 and future Hall of Fame 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.
Regular season
Despite acquiring 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, while Steelersʼ 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.
Transactions
- October 10, 1984: The Houston Oilers traded running back Earl Campbell to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for their top choice in the 1985 NFL draft. [5]
NFL draft
The following players were selected in the 1984 NFL draft.
[6]
Supplemental draft
The following players were selected in the 1984 NFL supplemental draft.
1984 Houston Oilers draft
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Round
|
Pick
|
Player
|
Position
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College
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Notes
|
1
|
2
|
Mike Rozier *
|
Running back
|
Nebraska
|
|
2
|
29
|
Don Maggs
|
Tackle
|
Tulane
|
|
3
|
58
|
Lynn Madsen
|
Defensive Tackle
|
Washington
|
|
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career
|
[6]
Personnel
Staff
1984 Houston Oilers staff
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Front office
- Owner/Chairman of the Board/President – Bud Adams
- Executive Vice President/General Manager – Ladd Herzeg
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
|
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Strength and Conditioning – Bill Allerheiligen
|
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Standings
Season summary
[7]
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
SF
|
Passing |
Joe Montana |
25/35, 353 YDS, 3 TDs, 1 INT
|
Rushing |
Wendell Tyler |
23 CAR, 108 YDS
|
Receiving |
Dwight Clark |
5 REC, 127 YDS, 1 TD
|
HOU
|
Passing |
Warren Moon |
25/33, 356 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
|
Rushing |
Larry Moriarty |
9 CAR, 36 YDS, 1 TD
|
Receiving |
Tim Smith |
6 REC, 101 YDS, 1 TD
|
- Point spread: 49ers by 11
- Over/Under: 42.0 (over)
- Time of Game:
49ers
|
Game Statistics
|
Oilers
|
25
|
First downs
|
22
|
38–164
|
Rushes–yards
|
18–82
|
353
|
Passing yards
|
356
|
25–35–1
|
Passes
|
25–33–2
|
1–0
|
Sacked–yards
|
2–6
|
353
|
Net passing yards
|
350
|
517
|
Total yards
|
432
|
85
|
Return yards
|
105
|
3–49.3
|
Punts
|
3–46.3
|
2–0
|
Fumbles–lost
|
3–1
|
8–70
|
Penalties–yards
|
7–75
|
34:13
|
Time of Possession
|
25:47
|
Week 15
Game information
|
First quarter
- LA – Drew Hill 57-yard pass from Jeff Kemp (Mike Lansford kick), 13:08. Rams 7–0. Drive:
- HOU – Joe Cooper 21-yard field goal, 7:22. Rams 7–3. Drive:
- LA – Eric Dickerson 7-yard run (Mike Lansford kick), 4:28. Rams 14–3. Drive:
- LA – Mike Lansford 35-yard field goal, 1:42. Rams 17–3. Drive:
Second quarter
- HOU – Joe Cooper 42-yard field goal, 13:19. Rams 17–6. Drive:
- HOU – Larry Moriarty 4-yard run (Joe Cooper kick), 6:13. Rams 17–13. Drive:
- LA – Mike Lansford 19-yard field goal, 2:26. Rams 20–13. Drive:
Third quarter
- HOU – Joe Cooper 18 yard field goal, 7:50. Rams 20–16. Drive:
Fourth quarter
- LA – Eric Dickerson 6–yard run, 5:49. Rams 27–16. Drive:
|
- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
|
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References
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- Founded in 1960
- Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
- Based and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee
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Division championships (11) | |
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Conference championships (1) | |
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League championships (2) | |
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