What Is 1979 Houston Oilers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1979 Houston Oilers finished the NFL season with a 10-6 record, securing second place in the AFC Central. They were led by head coach Bum Phillips and quarterback Ken Stabler, but were defeated 37-34 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round.

Key Facts

The 1979 Houston Oilers had a regular-season record of 10 wins and 6 losses.
Head coach Bum Phillips led the team during his fifth season with the franchise.
Quarterback Ken Stabler threw for 2,657 yards and 17 touchdowns that season.
The Oilers played their home games at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.
They lost 37-34 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round on December 22, 1979.

Overview

The 1979 Houston Oilers represented a resilient season in the franchise’s history, marking one of their more successful campaigns under head coach Bum Phillips. After missing the playoffs in 1978, the team rebounded strongly with a 10-6 record, finishing second in the AFC Central behind the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Despite not winning their division, the Oilers secured a playoff berth as a wild card, highlighting improvements on both offense and defense. Their season was defined by strong quarterback play, a physical running game, and a defense that forced key turnovers at critical moments.

Record and Standing: The Oilers finished the regular season with a 10-6 win-loss record, placing them just behind the 12-4 Steelers in the AFC Central.
Head Coach:Bum Phillips, in his fifth year as head coach, maintained a balanced offensive approach and aggressive defensive schemes.
Quarterback Performance:Ken Stabler threw for 2,657 yards and 17 touchdowns, completing 58.3% of his passes despite facing consistent defensive pressure.
Home Field: The team played all home games at the Astrodome, one of the first domed stadiums in professional sports, giving them a climate-controlled advantage.
Playoff Appearance: The Oilers qualified for the postseason as a wild card and faced the Steelers in the divisional round, losing a high-scoring 37-34 contest.

How It Works

The 1979 season operated under the NFL’s 14-game regular season format, which had been standard since 1961 and would continue until the 1978 expansion to 16 games. Teams competed within divisions, with top finishers and wild card teams advancing to the playoffs.

Regular Season Structure: Each team played 14 games — a mix of divisional, conference, and interconference matchups — determining playoff eligibility.
Division Format: The AFC Central included the Oilers, Steelers, Browns, and Bengals, with Pittsburgh dominating the division at 12-4.
Playoff Qualification: The Oilers earned a wild card spot due to their 10-6 record, despite not winning their division.
Coaching Strategy: Bum Phillips emphasized a ball-control offense and a 3-4 defensive alignment, aiming to limit big plays from opponents.
Quarterback Leadership:Ken Stabler provided veteran stability, throwing only 13 interceptions while maintaining a 7.4 yards-per-attempt average.
Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Reuben Houston recorded 4.5 sacks, and safety Mike Gaechter led the team with 5 interceptions.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1979 Houston Oilers compared to key teams in their division and conference:

Team	Record	Division Finish	Playoff Result	Points For
Pittsburgh Steelers	12-4	1st, AFC Central	AFC Champions	356
Houston Oilers	10-6	2nd, AFC Central	Lost in Divisional Round	302
Cleveland Browns	9-7	3rd, AFC Central	Did not qualify	264
Cincinnati Bengals	4-12	4th, AFC Central	Did not qualify	242
San Diego Chargers	12-4	1st, AFC West	Lost in AFC Championship	411

The Oilers’ 302 points scored ranked them in the upper half of the AFC, though they trailed the high-powered Chargers. Their defense allowed 287 points, which was slightly above average, indicating room for improvement despite their playoff run.

Why It Matters

The 1979 season remains a notable chapter in Oilers history, representing a brief resurgence before a decline in the 1980s. It showcased the leadership of Bum Phillips and the enduring talent of Ken Stabler, both of whom were instrumental in keeping the team competitive.

Legacy of Bum Phillips: His leadership from 1975 to 1980 helped stabilize the franchise and brought two playoff appearances.
Ken Stabler’s Final Playoff Run: This was Stabler’s only postseason with the Oilers, preceding his departure after the 1980 season.
Wild Card Significance: The Oilers’ wild card berth highlighted the growing competitiveness of the NFL’s expanded playoff format.
Astrodome Era: The game reflected the unique atmosphere of dome football, which influenced offensive strategies and fan engagement.
Defensive Development: Young defenders like Reuben Houston gained experience that shaped future team building.
Transition Period: The season marked the end of an era, as the Oilers would not return to the playoffs until 1987.

In hindsight, the 1979 campaign symbolizes both achievement and missed opportunity, as the Oilers came within four points of defeating the eventual Super Bowl champions. It remains a pivotal moment in the team’s pre-Tennessee history.