# 1996 Houston Oilers season

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, 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 record, the Oilers failed to sell out any of its home games at the Houston Astrodome for the second consecutive season.
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. 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. 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 Houston Oilers draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 14 | Eddie George * | Running back | Ohio State |
| 2 | 38 | Bryant Mix | Defensive end | Alcorn State |
| 2 | 48 | Jason Layman | Offensive tackle | Tennessee |
| 3 | 74 | Terry Killens | Linebacker | Penn State |
| 4 | 107 | Kendrick Burton | Defensive end | Alabama |
| 4 | 109 | Jon Runyan * | Offensive tackle | Michigan |
| 5 | 143 | Rayna Stewart | Safety | Northern Arizona |
| 6 | 177 | Anthony Dorsett | Cornerback | Pittsburgh |
| 7 | 218 | Mike Archie | Running back | Penn State |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

## 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 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 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

AFC Central :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(3)}$ Pittsburgh Steelers | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 344 | 257 | L2 |
| $^{(5)}$ Jacksonville Jaguars | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 325 | 335 | W5 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 372 | 369 | W3 |
| Houston Oilers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 345 | 319 | W1 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 371 | 441 | L3 |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 7 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| Oilers | 10 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 19 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: September 1
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 27,725
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally)
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 10 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
| Jaguars | 10 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
* Date: September 8
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
* Game attendance: 66,468
* TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bart Oates
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ravens | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
| Oilers | 14 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 29 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: September 15
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 20,082
* TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bart Oates (blacked out locally)
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 16 |
| Steelers | 17 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 30 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: September 29
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Mostly sunny, 53 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 58,608
* Referee: Tom White
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Oilers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| Bengals | 0 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio
* Date: October 6
* Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT/8:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Clear, 59 °F (15 °C)
* Game attendance: 44,680
* TV announcers (TNT): Verne Lundquist and Pat Haden
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
| Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
* Date: October 13
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 35,401
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Oilers | 3 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 23 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: October 20
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 50,337
* Referee: Red Cashion
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally)
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Oilers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: October 27
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 53,664
* TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Matt Millen (blacked out locally)
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 16 |
| Seahawks | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 23 |
at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington
* Date: November 3
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 36,320
* Referee: Johnny Grier
* TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bob Golic
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
| Saints | 3 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 14 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Date: November 10
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 34,121
* TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks and Bart Oates
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 23 |
| Oilers | 14 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: November 17
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 47,358
* TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Bob Trumpy (blacked out locally)
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
| Oilers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: November 24
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 20,107
* TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Harlan and Jerry Glanville (blacked out locally)
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 14 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
| Jets | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: December 1
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/4:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
* Game attendance: 21,731
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones, Randy Cross and Len Berman
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jaguars | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
| Oilers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: December 8
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 20,196
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Donovan and Beasley Reece (blacked out locally)
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bengals | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 21 |
| Oilers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
at Astrodome, Houston, Texas
* Date: December 15
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 15,131
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Lampley and Bob Golic (blacked out locally)
* Box score
Game information :
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

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 10 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Ravens | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
* Date: December 22
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 27 °F (−3 °C)
* Game attendance: 52,704
* TV announcers (NBC): Jim Donovan and Bart Oates
* Box score
Game information :
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.