1979 Houston Oilers Game-by-Game Results
Team Record: 11-5
Finishing 2nd in the NFL's Central Division of the American Football Conference
Postseason: 2-1 Lost Conference Championship
Coach: Bum Phillips (11-5)
Location: Houston, Texas
1979 Houston Oilers Roster
The Houston Oilers of the National Football League ended the 1979 season with a record of 11 wins and 5 losses, finishing second in the NFL's Central Division of the American Football Conference. The team compiled a postseason mark of 2-1.
Houston scored 362 points, while the defensive squad allowed 331. Earl Campbell powered the ground game, running for a 1,697 yards for the Oilers.
Dan Pastorini tossed for 2,090 yards. Ken Burrough topped pass catchers, hauling in 40 passes for 752 yards.
The ball-hawking defense led the way with 50 turnovers, topping in the league. Mike Reinfeldt intercepted 12 errant tosses from the opposition.
Bum Phillips coached the team. The 1979 Houston Oilers lost in the Conference Championship.
Click on column headings to sort.
Regular Season Points For: 362
Regular Season Points Against: 331
| Date | Game | Res | Home | Road | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2, 1979 | Houston Oilers 29 at Washington Redskins 27 | W | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | ||
| September 9, 1979 | Houston Oilers 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers 38 | L | 0-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | ||
| September 16, 1979 | Kansas City Chiefs 6 at Houston Oilers 20 | W | 1-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | ||
| September 23, 1979 | Houston Oilers 30 at Cincinnati Bengals 27 | W | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | OT | |
| September 30, 1979 | Cleveland Browns 10 at Houston Oilers 31 | W | 2-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 4-1-0 | ||
| October 7, 1979 | St. Louis Cardinals 24 at Houston Oilers 17 | L | 2-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 4-2-0 | ||
| October 14, 1979 | Houston Oilers 28 at Baltimore Colts 16 | W | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 5-2-0 | ||
| October 21, 1979 | Houston Oilers 14 at Seattle Seahawks 34 | L | 2-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 5-3-0 | ||
| October 28, 1979 | New York Jets 24 at Houston Oilers 27 | W | 3-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 6-3-0 | OT | |
| November 5, 1979 | Houston Oilers 9 at Miami Dolphins 6 | W | 3-1-0 | 4-2-0 | 7-3-0 | ||
| November 11, 1979 | Oakland Raiders 17 at Houston Oilers 31 | W | 4-1-0 | 4-2-0 | 8-3-0 | ||
| November 18, 1979 | Cincinnati Bengals 21 at Houston Oilers 42 | W | 5-1-0 | 4-2-0 | 9-3-0 | ||
| November 22, 1979 | Houston Oilers 30 at Dallas Cowboys 24 | W | 5-1-0 | 5-2-0 | 10-3-0 | ||
| December 2, 1979 | Houston Oilers 7 at Cleveland Browns 14 | L | 5-1-0 | 5-3-0 | 10-4-0 | ||
| December 10, 1979 | Pittsburgh Steelers 17 at Houston Oilers 20 | W | 6-1-0 | 5-3-0 | 11-4-0 | ||
| December 16, 1979 | Philadelphia Eagles 26 at Houston Oilers 20 | L | 6-2-0 | 5-3-0 | 11-5-0 | ||
| December 23, 1979 | Denver Broncos 7 at Houston Oilers 13 | W | 1-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | AFC Wild Card Playoff | |
| December 29, 1979 | Houston Oilers 17 at San Diego Chargers 14 | W | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | AFC Divisional Playoff | |
| January 6, 1980 | Houston Oilers 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers 27 | L | 1-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | AFC Championship |
