1978 Houston Oilers season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Houston Oilers
year = 1978
record = 10-6
division_place = 2nd AFC Central
coach = O.A. Bum Phillips
stadium = Astrodome
playoffs = Lost AFC Championship Game (Steelers)The 1978 season was the Houston Oilers 19th season and their 9th in the NFL. The franchise scored 283 points while the defense gave up 298 points. Their record of 10 wins and 6 losses resulted in a second place finish in the AFC Central Division. The Oilers appeared twice on Monday Night Football. In their first appearance on Monday Night Football, the Oilers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-17. In their second appearance, the Oilers defeated the Miami Dolphins 35-30.

Offseason

NFL Draft

[ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1978.htm]

Roster

Postseason

AFC Wild Card

* Houston Oilers 17, Miami Dolphins 9Linescore Amfootball
Road=Oilers
R1=7
R2=0
R3=0
R4=10
RT=17
Home=Dolphins
H1=7
H2=0
H3=0
H4=2
HT=9

"at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida"

*TV: NBC

Quarterback Dan Pastorini led the Oilers to an upset victory by passing for 306 yards.

AFC Divisional Playoff

* Houston Oilers 31, New England Patriots 14Linescore Amfootball
Road=Oilers
R1=0
R2=21
R3=3
R4=7
RT=31
Home=Patriots
H1=0
H2=0
H3=7
H4=7
HT=14

"at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts"

*TV: NBC

Quarterback Dan Pastorini led the Oilers to a victory by throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Earl Campbell rushed for 118 yards and a score.

AFC Championship Game

* Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Houston Oilers 5Linescore Amfootball
Road=Oilers
R1=0
R2=3
R3=2
R4=0
RT=5
Home=Steelers
H1=14
H2=17
H3=3
H4=0
HT=34

"at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania"

*TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy, John Brodie, and Merlin Olsen
*Referee: Jim Tunney

On a wet, slick, and slippery field, the Steelers dominated the Oilers by forcing 9 turnovers and only allowing 5 points.

Awards and records

* Earl Campbell, NFL Rushing Leader, (1,450)
* Earl Campbell, All-Pro selection
* Earl Campbell, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
* Earl Campbell, PFWA NFL MVP
* Earl Campbell, NEA NFL MVP
* Earl Campbell, NFL Offensive Player of the Year
* Earl Campbell, UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year
* Earl Campbell, Pro Bowl selection 1978

Milestones

* Earl Campbell, 1st 1,000 yard rushing season
* Earl Campbell, 1st NFL Rushing Title

References

* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1978.htm Oilers on Pro Football Reference]
* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1978-hou Oilers on jt-sw.com]