1997 Tennessee Oilers season

1997 Tennessee Oilers season
1997 Tennessee Oilers season
Owner	Bud Adams
General manager	Floyd Reese
Head coach	Jeff Fisher
Home field	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Results
Record	8–8
Division place	3rd AFC Central
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	RB Eddie George; G Bruce Matthews
Uniform
	← 1996 (Houston); Oilers seasons; 1998 →;

The 1997 Tennessee Oilers season was their 38th season overall and 28th in the National Football League (NFL). It was the team's first season in Memphis, Tennessee after moving from Houston, and they played at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

Led by head coach Jeff Fisher, the Oilers finished the season with 8 wins and 8 losses, and did not qualify for the playoffs. Despite defeating the Oakland Raiders 24–21 in their first game in their new city, they lost the next four games and would not recover.

Offseason[edit]

NFL draft[edit]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1997 Tennessee Oilers draft
1	18	Kenny Holmes	Defensive end	Miami (FL)
2	46	Joey Kent	Wide receiver	Tennessee
3	75	Denard Walker	Cornerback	LSU
3	81	Scott Sanderson	Offensive tackle	Washington State
4	98	Derrick Mason *	Wide receiver	Michigan State
4	107	Pratt Lyons	Defensive end	Troy
5	143	George McCullough	Defensive back	Baylor
6	181	Dennis Stallings	Linebacker	Illinois
7	216	Armon Williams	Defensive back	Arizona
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

^[1]

Personnel[edit]

Staff[edit]

**1997 Tennessee Oilers staff**
	Front office Owner/chairman of the board/president – Bud Adams Executive vice-president/general manager – Floyd Reese Director of player personnel – Rich Snead Director of college scouting – Glenn Cumbee Director of Regional Scouting – Mike Holovak Head coaches Head coach – Jeff Fisher Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Les Steckel Running backs – Sherman Smith Wide receivers – Alan Lowry Offensive line/tight ends – George Henshaw Offensive line – Mike Munchak Offensive assistant/quality control – Bart Andrus			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Gregg Williams Defensive line – Rex Norris Linebackers – O'Neill Gilbert Defensive backs – Greg Brown Defensive assistant/quality control – Jerry Gray Special teams coaches Special teams – Russ Purnell Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Steve Watterson

Roster[edit]

**1997 Tennessee Oilers roster**

	Quarterbacks 17 Dave Krieg 9 Steve McNair 16 James Ritchey Running backs 22 Mike Archie 27 Eddie George 35 Spencer George 20 Rodney Thomas KR Wide receivers 83 Isaac Byrd 86 Willie Davis 86 Joey Kent 82 Derrick Mason KR/PR 85 Derek Russell 81 Chris Sanders Tight ends 88 Roderick Lewis 87 James McKeehan LS 80 Michael Roan 89 Frank Wycheck		Offensive linemen 77 Kevin Donnalley G 71 Melvin Hayes T 72 Brad Hopkins T 66 Jason Layman G/T 74 Bruce Matthews G/LS 64 Erik Norgard C/G 69 Jon Runyan T 73 Scott Sanderson G/T 53 Mark Stepnoski C Defensive linemen 78 Anthony Cook DE 68 Eric England DE 91 Josh Evans DT 92 Henry Ford DT 99 Kenny Holmes DE 98 Pratt Lyons DE/DT 97 Bryant Mix DT 90 James Roberson DE 96 Gary Walker DT		Linebackers 58 Joe Bowden OLB 51 Lemanski Hall OLB 57 Lenoy Jones MLB 50 Terry Killens OLB 56 Lonnie Marts OLB 59 Dennis Stallings MLB 52 Barron Wortham MLB Defensive backs 23 Blaine Bishop SS 30 Anthony Dorsett CB/S 24 Steve Jackson CB 29 Darryll Lewis CB 28 George McCullough CB 31 Marcus Robertson FS 26 Rayna Stewart FS/SS 25 Denard Walker CB 42 Armon Williams SS Special teams 3 Al Del Greco K 7 Reggie Roby P		Reserve lists 94 Kendrick Burton DE/Susp. 93 Mike Halapin DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 38 Roger Jones CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) Practice squad 54 Louis Adams LB 18 Isaiah Mustafa WR 76 T. J. Washington T 53 active, 3 inactive, 3 practice squad Rookies in italics

^[2]

Preseason[edit]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	August 2	New Orleans Saints	L 12–21	0–1	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
2	August 9	Washington Redskins	L 12–18	0–2	Vanderbilt Stadium	Recap
3	August 16	San Diego Chargers	L 7–21	0–3	Vanderbilt Stadium	Recap
4	August 22	at Dallas Cowboys	L 10–34	0–4	Texas Stadium	Recap

Regular season[edit]

The Oilers' new stadium would not be ready until 1999, however, and the largest stadium in Nashville at the time, Vanderbilt Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University, seated only 41,000. At first, Bud Adams rejected Vanderbilt Stadium even as a temporary facility and announced that the renamed Tennessee Oilers would play the next two seasons at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis. The team would be based in Nashville, commuting to Memphis only for games—in effect, consigning the Oilers to 32 road games for the next two years. Even though this arrangement was acceptable to the NFL and the Oilers at the time, few people in either Memphis or Nashville were pleased by it. Memphis had made numerous attempts to get an NFL team (including the Memphis Hound Dogs and the Memphis Grizzlies court case), and many people in the area wanted nothing to do with a team that would be lost in only two years—especially to longtime rival Nashville. Conversely, Nashvillians showed little inclination to drive over 200 miles (300 km) to see "their" team. As a result, attendance at the Liberty Bowl was disastrous: on at least two occasions, fewer than 18,000 fans came to the stadium to see the Oilers, a number smaller than the attendance figures the team was getting in Houston after they had announced the move, and smaller than the fan bases the USFL's Memphis Showboats and XFL's Memphis Maniax had drawn/would draw to the same stadium. If not for the attendance of fans supporting the Oilers' opponents, attendance would likely have even been smaller than it was for the CFL's Memphis Mad Dogs. Even in weeks when the Oilers drew over 30,000 fans (which only happened twice), many of the attendees were fans of the opposing team, padding the attendance totals.

Schedule[edit]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	August 31	Oakland Raiders	W 24–21 (OT)	1–0	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
2	September 7	at Miami Dolphins	L 13–16 (OT)	1–1	Pro Player Stadium	Recap
3	Bye
4	September 21	Baltimore Ravens	L 10–36	1–2	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
5	September 28	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 24–37	1–3	Three Rivers Stadium	Recap
6	October 5	at Seattle Seahawks	L 13–16	1–4	Kingdome	Recap
7	October 12	Cincinnati Bengals	W 30–7	2–4	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
8	October 19	Washington Redskins	W 28–14	3–4	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
9	October 26	at Arizona Cardinals	W 41–14	4–4	Sun Devil Stadium	Recap
10	November 2	Jacksonville Jaguars	L 24–30	4–5	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
11	November 9	New York Giants	W 10–6	5–5	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
12	November 16	at Jacksonville Jaguars	L 9–17	5–6	Alltel Stadium	Recap
13	November 23	Buffalo Bills	W 31–14	6–6	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
14	November 27	at Dallas Cowboys	W 27–14	7–6	Texas Stadium	Recap
15	December 4	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 14–41	7–7	Cinergy Field	Recap
16	December 14	at Baltimore Ravens	L 19–21	7–8	Memorial Stadium	Recap
17	December 21	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 16–6	8–8	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries[edit]

Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders[edit]

Week One: Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Raiders	0	0	7	14	0	21
Oilers	10	0	3	8	3	24

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Date: August 31
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 81 °F (27 °C)
Game attendance: 30,171
Referee: Johnny Grier
TV: NBC
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 30-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
TEN – Chris Sanders 48-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.

Second quarter

No scoring plays

Third quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 13–0.
OAK – Tim Brown 59-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Oilers 13–7.

Fourth quarter

OAK – Tim Brown 27-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Raiders 14–13.
TEN – Eddie George 29-yard run (Eddie George run). Oilers 21–14.
OAK – Tim Brown 16-yard pass from Jeff George (Cole Ford kick). Tied 21–21.

Overtime

TEN – Al Del Greco 33-yard field goal. Oilers 24–21.

Top passers

OAK – Jeff George – 21/37, 298 yards, 3 TD
TEN – Steve McNair – 13/25, 182 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

OAK – Napoleon Kaufman – 12 rushes, 32 yards
TEN – Eddie George – 35 rushes, 216 yards, TD

Top receivers

OAK – Tim Brown – 8 receptions, 158 yards, 3 TD
TEN – Ronnie Harmon – 5 receptions, 50 yards

Week 2: at Miami Dolphins[edit]

Week Two: Tennessee Oilers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Oilers	0	10	3	0	0	13
Dolphins	0	3	3	7	3	16

at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Date: September 7
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Cloudy, 81 °F (27 °C)
Game attendance: 64,439
Referee: Bill Carollo
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Jim Mora
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

MIA – Olindo Mare 23-yard field goal. Dolphins 3–0.
TEN – Eddie George 13-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–3.
TEN – Al Del Greco 24-yard field goal. Oilers 10–3.

Third quarter

MIA – Olindo Mare 22-yard field goal. Oilers 10–6.
TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 13–6.

Fourth quarter

MIA – Irving Spikes 2-yard run (Olindo Mare kick). Tied 13–13.

Overtime

MIA – Olindo Mare 29-yard field goal. Dolphins 16–13.

Top passers

TEN – Steve McNair – 7/14, 109 yards, INT
MIA – Dan Marino – 24/43, 324 yards

Top rushers

TEN – Eddie George – 23 rushes, 106 yards, TD
MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar – 19 rushes, 33 yards

Top receivers

TEN – Chris Sanders – 3 receptions, 58 yards
MIA – O. J. McDuffie – 8 receptions, 135 yards

Week 4: vs. Baltimore Ravens[edit]

Week Four: Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	3	17	3	13	36
Oilers	7	3	0	0	10

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Date: September 21
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Cloudy, 71 °F (22 °C)
Game attendance: 17,737
Box score

Game information

First quarter

BAL – Matt Stover 38-yard field goal. Ravens 3–0.
TEN – Frank Wycheck 36-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–3.

Second quarter

BAL – Derrick Alexander 25-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 10–7.
BAL – Derrick Alexander 5-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 17–7.
TEN – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Ravens 17–10.
BAL – Matt Stover 42-yard field goal. Ravens 20–10.

Third quarter

BAL – Matt Stover 41-yard field goal. Ravens 23–10.

Fourth quarter

BAL – Jermaine Lewis 16-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 30–10.
BAL – Matt Stover 34-yard field goal. Ravens 33–10.
BAL – Matt Stover 35-yard field goal. Ravens 36–10.

Top passers

BAL – Vinny Testaverde – 23/37, 318 yards, 3 TD
TEN – Steve McNair – 20/33, 199 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

BAL – Jay Graham – 9 rushes, 51 yards
TEN – Eddie George – 10 rushes, 40 yards

Top receivers

BAL – Jermaine Lewis – 8 receptions, 124 yards, TD
TEN – Frank Wycheck – 3 receptions, 55 yards, TD

Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]

Week Five: Tennessee Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	6	3	15	24
Steelers	10	21	3	3	37

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Date: September 28
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: Cloudy, 60 °F (16 °C)
Game attendance: 57,507
Referee: Bernie Kukar
TV announcers (NBC): Jim Donovan and Beasley Reece
Box score

Game information

First quarter

PIT – Kordell Stewart 7-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 7–0.
PIT – Norm Johnson 48-yard field goal. Steelers 10–0.

Second quarter

PIT – Jason Gildon 12-yard fumble return (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 17–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Steelers 17–3.
PIT – Mark Bruener 18-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 24–3.
PIT – Kordell Stewart 2-yard run (Norm Johnson kick). Steelers 31–3.
TEN – Al Del Greco 47-yard field goal. Steelers 31–6.

Third quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 26-yard field goal. Steelers 31–9.
PIT – Norm Johnson 25-yard field goal. Steelers 34–9.

Fourth quarter

PIT – Norm Johnson 44-yard field goal. Steelers 37–9.
TEN – Frank Wycheck 10-yard pass from Steve McNair (Steve McNair pass to Frank Wycheck). Steelers 37–17.
TEN – Willie Davis 11-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Steelers 37–24.

Top passers

TEN – Steve McNair – 22/43, 266 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
PIT – Kordell Stewart – 16/24, 244 yards, TD

Top rushers

TEN – Steve McNair – 3 rushes, 29 yards
PIT – Jerome Bettis – 18 rushes, 74 yards

Top receivers

TEN – Frank Wycheck – 9 receptions, 72 yards, TD
PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 5 receptions, 89 yards

Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks[edit]

Week Six: Tennessee Oilers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	3	7	0	3	13
Seahawks	0	0	10	6	16

at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington

Date: October 5
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 49,897
Referee: Dick Hantak
TV: NBC
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 37-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.

Second quarter

TEN – Eddie George 11-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.

Third quarter

SEA – Todd Peterson 38-yard field goal. Oilers 10–3.
SEA – Steve Broussard 77-yard run (Todd Peterson kick). Tied 10–10.

Fourth quarter

SEA – Steve Broussard 43-yard run (kick failed). Seahawks 16–10.
TEN – Al Del Greco 43-yard field goal. Seahawks 16–13.

Top passers

TEN – Steve McNair – 12/28, 101 yards, TD, 2 INT
SEA – Warren Moon – 27/40, 260 yards

Top rushers

TEN – Eddie George – 26 rushes, 116 yards
SEA – Steve Broussard – 6 rushes, 138 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

TEN – Frank Wycheck – 4 receptions, 41 yards
SEA – Mike Pritchard – 7 receptions, 75 yards

Week 7: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[edit]

Week Seven: Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	0	0	7	7
Oilers	7	7	6	10	30

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Date: October 12
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny, 74 °F (23 °C)
Game attendance: 17,071
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Willie Davis 9-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.

Second quarter

TEN – Frank Wycheck 39-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0.

Third quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 47-yard field goal. Oilers 17–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 45-yard field goal. Oilers 20–0.

Fourth quarter

TEN – Willie Davis 10-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 27–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 19-yard field goal. Oilers 30–0.
CIN – Corey Dillon 21-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Oilers 30–7.

Top passers

CIN – Jeff Blake – 14/28, 130 yards
TEN – Steve McNair – 16/30, 199 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

CIN – Corey Dillon – 8 rushes, 39 yards, TD
TEN – Eddie George – 30 rushes, 106 yards

Top receivers

CIN – Eric Bieniemy – 5 receptions, 42 yards
TEN – Frank Wycheck – 4 receptions, 78 yards, TD

Week 8: vs. Washington Redskins[edit]

Week Eight: Washington Redskins at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	0	0	14	0	14
Oilers	0	14	7	7	28

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Date: October 19
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny, 55 °F (13 °C)
Game attendance: 31,042
Referee: Ron Blum
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

TEN – Steve McNair 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
TEN – Eddie George 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0.

Third quarter

TEN – Rodney Thomas 5-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 21–0.
WAS – Henry Ellard 13-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Oilers 21–7.
WAS – Henry Ellard 10-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Oilers 21–14.

Fourth quarter

TEN – Eddie George 6-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 28–14.

Top passers

WAS – Gus Frerotte – 16/31, 228 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
TEN – Steve McNair – 13/21, 192 yards

Top rushers

WAS – Stephen Davis – 13 rushes, 45 yards
TEN – Eddie George – 31 rushes, 125 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

WAS – Henry Ellard – 6 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TD
TEN – Willie Davis – 5 receptions, 72 yards

Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals[edit]

Week Nine: Tennessee Oilers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	3	17	14	7	41
Cardinals	0	0	7	7	14

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

Date: October 26
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/2:00 p.m. MST
Game weather: Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)
Game attendance: 44,030
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 52-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.

Second quarter

TEN – Denard Walker 39-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 42-yard field goal. Oilers 13–0.
TEN – Steve McNair 35-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 20–0.

Third quarter

TEN – Steve McNair 2-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 27–0.
ARI – Rob Moore 12-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 27–7.
TEN – Chris Sanders 55-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 34–7.

Fourth quarter

TEN – Chris Sanders 20-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 41–7.
ARI – Rob Moore 2-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Joe Nedney kick). Oilers 41–14.

Top passers

TEN – Steve McNair – 9/17, 146 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Jake Plummer – 21/40, 195 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT

Top rushers

TEN – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 71 yards
ARI – Larry Centers – 14 rushes, 57 yards

Top receivers

TEN – Chris Sanders – 2 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD
ARI – Frank Sanders – 10 receptions, 98 yards

Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars[edit]

Week Ten: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	17	7	3	3	30
Oilers	7	3	7	7	24

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Date: November 2
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)
Game attendance: 27,208
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Darryl Lewis 47-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
JAX – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal. Oilers 7–3.
JAX – Chris Hudson 32-yard fumble return (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 10–7.
JAX – Pete Mitchell 6-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 17–7.

Second quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 36-yard field goal. Jaguars 17–10.
JAX – Mark Brunell 6-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 24–10.

Third quarter

JAX – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal. Jaguars 27–10.
TEN – Rodney Thomas 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 27–17.

Fourth quarter

JAX – Mike Hollis 37-yard field goal. Jaguars 30–17.
TEN – Eddie George 5-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 30–24.

Top passers

JAX – Mark Brunell – 17/31, 169 yards, TD, INT
TEN – Steve McNair – 13/22, 211, INT

Top rushers

JAX – James Stewart – 17 rushes, 99 yards
TEN – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 51 yards, TD

Top receivers

JAX – Jimmy Smith – 5 receptions, 50 yards
TEN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 83 yards

Week 11: vs. New York Giants[edit]

Week Eleven: New York Giants at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	0	3	3	0	6
Oilers	3	7	0	0	10

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Date: November 9
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Cloudy, 46 °F (8 °C)
Game attendance: 26,744
Referee: Walt Coleman
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 31-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.

Second quarter

TEN – Eddie George 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–0.
NYG – Brad Daluiso 42-yard field goal. Oilers 10–3.

Third quarter

NYG – Brad Daluiso 41-yard field goal. Oilers 10–6.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

Top passers

NYG – Danny Kanell – 15/28, 133 yards, INT
TEN – Steve McNair – 13/23, 183 yards, INT

Top rushers

NYG – Tyrone Wheatley – 13 rushes, 94 yards
TEN – Eddie George – 32 rushes, 122 yards, TD

Top receivers

NYG – Chris Calloway – 4 receptions, 65 yards
TEN – Chris Sanders – 3 receptions, 64 yards

Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars[edit]

Week Twelve: Tennessee Oilers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	3	0	6	9
Jaguars	0	7	7	3	17

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Date: November 16
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 56 °F (13 °C)
Game attendance: 70,070
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

JAX – Keenan McCardell 17-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 7–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 35-yard field goal. Jaguars 7–3.

Third quarter

JAX – Natrone Means 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 14–3.

Fourth quarter

TEN – Frank Wycheck 22-yard pass from Willie Davis (run failed). Jaguars 14–9.
JAX – Mike Hollis 23-yard field goal. Jaguars 17–9.

Top passers

TEN – Steve McNair – 8/22, 162 yards, 2 INT
JAX – Mark Brunell – 22/30, 267 yards, TD

Top rushers

TEN – Rodney Thomas – 9 rushes, 54 yards
JAX – Natrone Means – 23 rushes, 64 yards, TD

Top receivers

TEN – Frank Wycheck – 3 receptions, 70 yards, TD
JAX – Jimmy Smith – 8 receptions, 158 yards

Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills[edit]

Week Thirteen: Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	7	0	7	14
Oilers	14	7	3	7	31

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Date: November 23
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Rain, 40 °F (4 °C)
Game attendance: 23,571
TV announcers (NBC): Joel Meyers and Beasley Reece
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Marcus Robertson 27-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0.

Second quarter

TEN – Steve McNair 3-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 21–0.
BUF – Quinn Early 9-yard pass from Todd Collins (Steve Christie kick). Oilers 21–7.

Third quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 51-yard field goal. Oilers 24–7.

Fourth quarter

BUF – Quinn Early 6-yard pass from Todd Collins (Steve Christie kick). Oilers 24–14.
TEN – Derek Russell 2-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 31–14.

Top passers

BUF – Todd Collins – 25/40, 286 yards, 2 TD, INT
TEN – Steve McNair – 15/24, 167 yards, TD

Top rushers

BUF – Antowain Smith – 9 rushes, 7 yards
TEN – Eddie George – 25 rushes, 93 yards

Top receivers

BUF – Quinn Early – 8 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TD
TEN – Frank Wycheck – 6 receptions, 51 yards

Week 14: at Dallas Cowboys[edit]

Thanksgiving Day games

Week Fourteen: Tennessee Oilers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	14	10	0	3	27
Cowboys	0	7	7	0	14

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Date: November 27
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Clear, 66 °F (19 °C)
Game attendance: 63,421
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Erik Norgard 2-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0.
TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 14–0.

Second quarter

DAL – Michael Irvin 19-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Oilers 14–7.
TEN – Al Del Greco 29-yard field goal. Oilers 17–7.
TEN – Marcus Robertson 42-yard fumble return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 24–7.

Third quarter

DAL – Michael Irvin 37-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Oilers 24–14.

Fourth quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 19-yard field goal. Oilers 27–14.

Top passers

TEN – Steve McNair – 9/17, 81 yards, TD
DAL – Troy Aikman – 27/42, 356 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

TEN – Eddie George – 34 rushes, 110 yards
DAL – Emmitt Smith – 10 rushes, 22 yards

Top receivers

TEN – Frank Wycheck – 3 receptions, 39 yards
DAL – Michael Irvin – 5 receptions, 118 yards, 2 TD

Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals[edit]

Week Fifteen: Tennessee Oilers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	0	0	14	14
Bengals	14	14	10	3	41

at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio

Date: December 4
Game time: 7:00 p.m. CST/8:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Light rain, 42 °F (6 °C)
Game attendance: 49,086
TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann and Ron Jaworski
Box score

Game information

First quarter

CIN – Corey Dillon 2-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 7–0.
CIN – Tony McGee 1-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 14–0.

Second quarter

CIN – Corey Dillon 31-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 21–0.
CIN – Corey Dillon 1-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 28–0.

Third quarter

CIN – Corey Dillon 2-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick). Bengals 35–0.
CIN – Doug Pelfrey 26-yard field goal. Bengals 38–0.

Fourth quarter

TEN – Willie Davis 5-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Bengals 38–7.
CIN – Doug Pelfrey 40-yard field goal. Bengals 41–7.
TEN – Joey Kent 11-yard pass from Steve McNair (Al Del Greco kick). Bengals 41–14.

Top passers

TEN – Steve McNair – 14/25, 146 yards, 2 TD
CIN – Boomer Esiason – 20/28, 245 yards, TD

Top rushers

TEN – Steve McNair – 5 rushes, 16 yards
CIN – Corey Dillon – 39 rushes, 246 yards, 4 TD

Top receivers

TEN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 45 yards, TD
CIN – Darnay Scott – 6 receptions, 83 yards

Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens[edit]

Week Sixteen: Tennessee Oilers at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	3	3	6	7	19
Ravens	7	7	0	7	21

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: December 14
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Partly cloudy, 35 °F (2 °C)
Game attendance: 60,558
Box score

Game information

First quarter

BAL – Michael Jackson 8-yard pass from Eric Zeier (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 7–0.
TEN – Al Del Greco 25-yard field goal. Ravens 7–3.

Second quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 40-yard field goal. Ravens 7–6.
BAL – Eric Green 37-yard pass from Eric Zeier (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 14–6.

Third quarter

TEN – Steve McNair 15-yard run (run failed). Ravens 14–12.

Fourth quarter

BAL – Derrick Alexander 19-yard pass from Eric Zeier (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 21–12.
TEN – Steve McNair 1-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Ravens 21–19.

Top passers

TEN – Steve McNair – 22/45, 219 yards, INT
BAL – Eric Zeier – 13/28, 204 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

TEN – Eddie George – 26 rushes, 129 yards
BAL – Bam Morris – 18 rushes, 51 yards

Top receivers

TEN – Chris Sanders – 7 receptions, 100 yards
BAL – Eric Green – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD

Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]

Week Seventeen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	0	0	3	6
Oilers	3	10	3	0	16

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Date: December 24
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: Cloudy, 47 °F (8 °C)
Game attendance: 50,677
TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Bob Trumpy
Box score

Game information

First quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 34-yard field goal. Oilers 3–0.
PIT – Norm Johnson 23-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.

Second quarter

TEN – Rodney Thomas 25-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 10–3.
TEN – Al Del Greco 29-yard field goal. Oilers 13–3.

Third quarter

TEN – Al Del Greco 26-yard field goal. Oilers 16–3.

Fourth quarter

PIT – Norm Johnson 36-yard field goal. Oilers 16–6.

Top passers

PIT – Mike Tomczak – 8/11, 89 yards
TEN – Steve McNair – 10/26, 102 yards, INT

Top rushers

PIT – Fred McAfee – 10 rushes, 27 yards
TEN – Rodney Thomas – 6 rushes, 41 yards, TD

Top receivers

PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 6 receptions, 84 yards
TEN – Derrick Mason – 3 receptions, 47 yards

Standings[edit]

AFC Central
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
⁽²⁾ Pittsburgh Steelers	11	5	0	.688	372	307	L1
⁽⁵⁾ Jacksonville Jaguars	11	5	0	.688	394	318	W2
Tennessee Oilers	8	8	0	.500	333	310	W1
Cincinnati Bengals	7	9	0	.438	355	405	W3
Baltimore Ravens	6	9	1	.406	326	345	L1

References[edit]

^ "1997 Tennessee Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
^ "1997 Tennessee Oilers starters, roster, and players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2014.

External links[edit]

1997 Tennessee Oilers at Pro-Football-Reference.com

[1] "1997 Tennessee Oilers draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014.

[2] "1997 Tennessee Oilers starters, roster, and players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2014.

[1]

[2]

v t e Tennessee Titans
Founded in 1960 Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998) Based and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee
Franchise	History in Houston Coaches Seasons Players First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks
Stadiums	Jeppesen Stadium Rice Stadium Houston Astrodome Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Vanderbilt Stadium Nissan Stadium
Culture	Bud Adams Luv Ya Blue T-Rac Cheerleaders
Lore	The Comeback Music City Miracle One Yard Short
Rivalries	Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Dallas Cowboys Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Pittsburgh Steelers
Division championships (11)	1960 1961 1962 1967 1991 1993 2000 2002 2008 2020 2021
Conference championships (1)	1999
League championships (2)	1960 1961
Retired numbers	1 9 27 34 43 63 65 74
Media	Broadcasters Titans All Access Titans Preseason Football Titans Radio Network WKRN-TV WTVF WZTV WGFX-FM WSMV-TV
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: South Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)
Key personnel	Bud Adams Amy Adams Strunk

v t e Tennessee Titans seasons
Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bold indicates AFL Championship (1960–69) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory Italics indicates Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance

1997 Tennessee Oilers season

Offseason[edit]

NFL draft[edit]

Personnel[edit]

Staff[edit]

Roster[edit]

Preseason[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Schedule[edit]

Game summaries[edit]

Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders[edit]

Week 2: at Miami Dolphins[edit]

Week 4: vs. Baltimore Ravens[edit]

Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]

Week 6: at Seattle Seahawks[edit]

Week 7: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[edit]

Week 8: vs. Washington Redskins[edit]

Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals[edit]

Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars[edit]

Week 11: vs. New York Giants[edit]

Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars[edit]

Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills[edit]

Week 14: at Dallas Cowboys[edit]

Week 15: at Cincinnati Bengals[edit]

Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens[edit]

Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]

Standings[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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