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]
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 14-37 |
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. |
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
|
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External links
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- Founded in 1960
- Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
- Based and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee
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| Franchise | |
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| Stadiums | |
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| Culture | |
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| Lore | |
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| Rivalries | |
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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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| Retired numbers | |
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| Media | |
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| Current league affiliations | |
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| Former league affiliation | |
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| Key personnel | |
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