1996: Last-Play FG Lifts Dolphins Past Oilers

The Miami Dolphins were struggling with a 5-5 record as they traveled to Houston to face the Oilers on November 17, 1996. Having replaced long-time Head Coach Don Shula with Jimmy Johnson, whose Dallas teams won two Super Bowls, the Dolphins had won their first three games before dropping five of their next six. 35-year-old QB Dan Marino (pictured at right) was still at the helm of the offense, although he was proving to be increasingly brittle and had missed three games. The passing game was assisted by the arrival of WR Fred Barnett, signed away from the Eagles as a free agent and who had made an astonishing recovery from a preseason knee injury that required surgery.  Rookie RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar provided a boost to the ground game.

The Oilers, coached by Jeff Fisher, were also facing a transition as they were scheduled to leave Houston for Nashville.  The club was also retooling on the field, with rookie RB Eddie George having an immediate impact and QB Steve McNair in development while veteran Chris Chandler directed the offense. The defense was rugged, particularly against the run. Houston got off to a 5-2 start before suffering two tough losses and the Oilers were at 6-4 as they hosted the Dolphins.

There were 47,358 fans in attendance at the Astrodome. Miami’s Coach Johnson was from nearby Port Arthur, Texas, and there was a cheering section in attendance for him. The Oilers had the first possession and drove 65 yards in eight plays. Chris Chandler started off with a pass to Eddie George (pictured below) for 17 yards and WR Willie Davis ran around left end for another 15. Chandler had completions to RB Ronnie Harmon for eight yards and George for seven and, while losses on two plays had Houston facing third-and-18, Chandler connected with WR Derek Russell for an 18-yard touchdown. Al Del Greco added the extra point for the early 7-0 advantage.

The Dolphins went three-and-out and, following their punt, the Oilers again drove to another score, advancing 61 yards in eight plays. Chandler completed three passes along the way and a fourth was to TE Frank Wycheck for a 15-yard TD. Del Greco again converted and the home team was ahead by 14-0.

Miami responded with a series that was helped along by an 18-yard pass interference call on the Oilers, but after reaching the Houston 21, Joe Nedney missed on a 39-yard field goal as the first quarter came to an end. As the game headed into the second quarter, the teams exchanged punts. The Oilers reached the Miami 49 on their next possession but a punt by ex-Dolphin Reggie Roby was blocked and recovered by RB Robert Wilson at the Houston 31. Five plays later, Dan Marino threw to RB Irving Spikes for a 10-yard touchdown and, with Nedney adding the point after, Houston’s lead was cut to 14-7.

The Oilers punted following a short series and the Dolphins regained possession with 3:35 remaining in the first half. Two defensive penalties helped move Miami’s series along. Karim Abdul-Jabbar had a 12-yard carry and Marino connected on two short passes to set up Nedney’s 34-yard field goal on the last play of the half, making the score 14-10 at the intermission.

Both teams went three-and-out and punted to start the third quarter. The Dolphins, on their second series of the half, drove 37 yards in eight plays. Marino completed three passes, the longest to Fred Barnett for 25 yards to the Houston 26, and Nedney kicked a 44-yard field goal to make it a one-point game at 14-13.

The Oilers came back alive on offense to advance 67 yards in 12 plays. Chandler completed four passes but, following a 10-yard run by George to get the ball to the Miami 12, three passes were incomplete and the home team settled for a 30-yard Del Greco field goal and an extended lead of 17-13.

The Dolphins had the ball as the game headed into the fourth quarter, helped along by a fake punt in which LB Larry Izzo took a direct snap and ran for 26 yards to the Houston 42. But after reaching the five, Abdul-Jabbar fumbled just short of the goal line and CB Cris Dishman recovered for the Oilers in the end zone. However, Chandler immediately went to the air and his pass intended for Wycheck was intercepted by LB Zach Thomas, who returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. Nedney added the extra point and the visitors were in front for the first time at 20-17.

The Oilers went three-and-out and punted, but they got the ball back at their 35 after Miami WR O.J. McDuffie fumbled when stripped by LB Barron Wortham after catching a pass and CB Steve Jackson recovered. George took off for a 24-yard gain on first down and Chandler threw to Wycheck for eight yards. The drive stalled at the Miami 16 and Del Greco came on to tie the score at 20-20 with a 33-yard field goal.

Miami took over on offense with 3:20 left in regulation. Two runs by Abdul-Jabbar netted a loss of two yards, but facing third-and-12, Marino passed to McDuffie for 20 yards to keep the series alive. Two plays later, he threw to TE Troy Drayton for a pickup of 51 yards to the Houston five. From there the Dolphins were able to run the clock down and Nedney kicked a 29-yard field goal on the game’s last play to give Miami a 23-20 win.  

The Dolphins had the edge in total yards (303 to 261) while the teams were even in first downs with 17 apiece. Miami turned the ball over twice, to one suffered by the Oilers. Houston accounted for three sacks, to two by the Dolphins, and Miami drew six penalties to four flags thrown on the Oilers.

Dan Marino completed 21 of 28 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. O.J. McDuffie (pictured at right) had 8 catches for 86 yards. Thanks to his long fourth quarter reception, Troy Drayton gained 63 yards on two catches and Fred Barnett contributed 5 receptions for 53 yards. Karim Abdul-Jabbar topped Miami’s rushers with 59 yards on 18 carries.

For the Oilers, Chris Chandler was successful on 15 of 27 throws for 167 yards and two TDs while giving up one interception. Eddie George rushed for 60 yards on 15 attempts and caught three passes for 34 yards. Frank Wycheck topped the receivers with 5 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.

The win put the Dolphins above .500 but they lost their next three games before finishing out the season with two wins for an 8-8 record that placed fourth in the AFC East. Houston lost three of its last five contests to also end up at 8-8 and fourth in the AFC Central.

Due to wear and tear, Dan Marino had one of his least productive seasons, passing for 2795 yards and 17 touchdowns, although his 87.8 passer rating and 7.5 yards per attempt ranked among the league leaders. Fred Barnett managed to catch 36 passes for 562 yards (15.6 avg.) and three TDs in nine games while O.J. McDuffie led the club with 74 receptions for 918 yards (12.4 avg.) and eight touchdowns.

1997: Eddie George Runs for 216 Yards as Oilers Beat Raiders in Tennessee Debut

The team that had been known as the Houston Oilers for 37 years began a new chapter as a Tennessee-based franchise on August 31, 1997. Coached by Jeff Fisher, the Oilers were coming off of an 8-8 record in ’96. While they faded badly after getting off to a 5-2 start, they were a rebuilding team that also showed improvement and had young talent at key positions. Mobile third-year QB Steve McNair was heading into his first season as the starter, with veteran Chris Chandler having been dealt away during the offseason. RB Eddie George (pictured at right) rushed for 1368 yards and received Rookie of the Year recognition, and he was expected to carry even more of a load in his second year.

The team they were facing in the opening week was the Raiders, who had returned to Oakland two years before after a 13-season sojourn in Los Angeles. The Raiders were coming off a 7-9 tally in 1996 and had made changes at head coach, where Joe Bugel was replacing Mike White, and quarterback, with the talented but immature Jeff George taking over from Jeff Hostetler. They also had a fine runner in Napoleon Kaufman and a reliable receiver in WR Tim Brown. However, the defense was full of question marks.

There was a disappointing crowd of 30,171 in attendance at the 62,300-seat Liberty Bowl in Memphis, which was to serve as a first-year home for the Nashville-bound club, on a damp and hazy day, and many of them were there to support the visiting Raiders.

The teams exchanged punts to start the game. Commencing their second possession from their own nine yard line, the Raiders suffered a turnover when Napoleon Kaufman fumbled after catching a pass from Jeff George and the LB Lonnie Marts recovered for the Oilers at the 20. Four plays later, Al Del Greco kicked a 30-yard field goal to put the home team in front by 3-0.

Oakland responded by moving into Tennessee territory when George threw to TE Rickey Dudley for a 26-yard gain. Two runs by Kaufman gained nine yards but a third down option pass was incomplete and Cole Ford’s 46-yard field goal attempt was wide to the left.

The Oilers came back with a five-play, 63-yard drive that featured a pass from Steve McNair to WR Willie Davis that picked up 21 yards to the Oakland 38. Another pass by McNair resulted in a 48-yard touchdown completion to WR Chris Sanders. Del Greco added the extra point and Tennessee took a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.

Following a punt by the Raiders, Tennessee’s next series ended with McNair being intercepted by SS James Trapp to give Oakland good starting field position at the Oilers’ 49. However, after advancing to the 37, the visitors lost ground and once again had to punt. Oakland again got the ball back on a turnover, this time a fumble by WR Derrick Mason, and again failed to capitalize. The half ended with the Oilers ahead by ten, and Eddie George had already gained 95 yards rushing.

Tennessee started off the third quarter with a 14-play series that covered 47 yards, converting two third downs along the way, and finishing up with Del Greco kicking a 37-yard field goal. But down by 13 points, the Raiders struck quickly on their next possession. On the second play, George completed a pass to Tim Brown for a 59-yard touchdown and, with Ford’s successful conversion, the tally stood at 13-7.

Following a short series by the Oilers that resulted in a punt, Oakland put together another scoring drive that stretched into the final period and was helped along by a pass interference penalty in a third-and-nine situation. George completed passes to Brown for 19 and 13 yards along the way and capped the nine-play, 75-yard possession with another throw to Brown for a 27-yard TD. With Ford’s extra point, the Raiders were in the lead by 14-13.

The teams traded punts before Tennessee put together a 90-yard series that took 13 plays. The last six were all runs by George, the final carry good for a 29-yard touchdown. George then successfully ran for a two-point conversion and, with just over two minutes remaining in regulation, the Oilers were back in the lead at 21-14.

The Raiders started off from their own 47 following a 34-yard kickoff return by RB Tim Hall. George completed four straight passes, the longest covering 18 yards to WR Olanda Truitt, to get to the Tennessee 16. The next three throws fell incomplete and, while RB Derrick Fenner ran for seven yards, two sacks had the Raiders back at the 16 and facing fourth-and-goal and the clock down to 28 seconds. However, George tossed a bullet to Brown between two defenders for a TD and, with Ford adding the all-important extra point, the game was tied at 21-21 and went into overtime.

Tennessee had the first possession in the extra period but went three-and-out and had to punt. The Raiders were no more successful and punted in turn. Starting at their 35, the Oilers got two pass completions from McNair to TE Frank Wycheck, one for 21 yards and then for 10 to reach the Oakland 32. McNair ran the ball himself around end for 11 more yards and, after George went up the middle for six yards, Del Greco came in to kick the decisive field goal from 33 yards. The Oilers came away the winner in their first game as a Tennessee team by the final score of 24-21.

Tennessee had more total yards (419 to 332), with 255 yards of that total coming on the ground, and also had the edge in first downs (20 to 17). The Oilers also turned the ball over twice, to one turnover suffered by Oakland. Each team recorded three sacks.

Eddie George rushed for 216 yards on 35 carries that included a touchdown – it was the second-highest opening-game rushing total in NFL history at the time. Steve McNair completed 13 of 25 passes for 182 yards and had one TD as well as one interception. He further contributed 23 yards on the ground. RB Ronnie Harmon caught 5 passes for 50 yards and Chris Sanders gained 51 yards on his two receptions that included a touchdown. Al Del Greco was successful on all three of his field goal attempts, including the game-winner in overtime.

For the Raiders, Jeff George (pictured at left) was successful on 21 of 37 throws for 298 yards and three TDs with none intercepted. Tim Brown caught 8 of those passes for 158 yards and three scores. Napoleon Kauffman ran for just 32 yards on 12 carries.

Coach Jeff Fisher awarded a game ball to Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist, but garbled the presentation by saying “This is from the Hou…er, Tennessee… Oilers organization.”

The Week 1 win was followed by four consecutive losses before the Oilers won six of their next eight contests and finished up with another 8-8 season that placed them third in the AFC Central. Practicing in Nashville, 210 miles away, while playing before sparse crowds in Memphis hurt, and the team moved to Nashville’s Vanderbilt Stadium in 1998 before finally coming to rest in a newly-constructed stadium in ’99 – and with a new name, the Titans, as well.

The Raiders dropped to 4-12, tying with San Diego at the bottom of the AFC West. While Jeff George passed for a league-leading 3917 yards and topped the AFC with 29 TD passes and Tim Brown caught 104 passes for 1408 yards, they could not make up for poor defensive play.

Eddie George went on to rush for 1399 yards on 357 carries (3.9 avg.) and was chosen to the Pro Bowl for the first of four straight seasons. The 216-yard performance against Oakland remained his career high.

Rookie of the Year: Eddie George, 1996

Running Back, Houston Oilers

Age:  23 (Sept. 24)

College: Ohio State

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 232

Prelude:

George won the 1995 Heisman Trophy after a year in which he rushed for 1927 yards, gained 2344 yards from scrimmage overall, and scored 25 touchdowns. He was chosen by the Oilers in the first round of the ’96 NFL draft (14^th overall) and moved directly into the starting lineup.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 335 [4]

Most attempts, game - 28 (for 141 yds.) at NY Jets 12/1

Yards – 1368 [5]

Most yards, game – 152 yards (on 26 carries) at Cincinnati 10/6

Average gain – 4.1 [16]

TDs – 8 [10, tied with four others]

100-yard rushing games – 4

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 23      

Most receptions, game – 3 (for 22 yds.) at Cincinnati 10/6, (for 22 yds.) vs. Pittsburgh 10/20, (for 34 yds.) vs. Miami 11/17, (for 32 yds.) vs. Cincinnati 12/15

Yards – 182

Most yards, game - 34 (on 3 catches) vs. Miami 11/17

Average gain – 7.9

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 8

Points – 48

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: Sporting News

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Oilers went 8-8 to finish fourth in the AFC Central.

Aftermath:

With the team shifting to Tennessee in 1997, George rushed for 1399 yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first of four straight seasons. A power runner with outstanding agility and speed enough for breakaway runs, he didn’t catch many passes in his first two years but became more involved as a receiver out of the backfield thereafter. George rushed for 1304 yards and caught 47 passes for 458 more as the team, now called the Titans, won the AFC title in 1999 and was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 2000 as he achieved career highs with 1509 yards, on a league-leading 403 carries, and 50 catches. However, after five years of never missing a game, foot surgery cut into his offseason conditioning regimen and he had an off-year in 2001, running for 939 yards while averaging just 3.0 yards per carry. While he came back to run for 1165 yards and score a total of 14 TDs in ’02, he was clearly in decline and, after one more season with the Titans, moved on to the Dallas Cowboys for his last year in 2004. Overall, George rushed for 10,441 yards (10,009 with the Oilers/Titans) on 2865 carries (3.6 avg.) and caught 268 passes for 2227 yards, scoring a total of 78 touchdowns.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

2000: Third Quarter Surge Propels Titans Past Jaguars for AFC Title

The AFC Championship game on January 23, 2000 featured two teams that had already met twice during the 1999 regular season, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. But while the Titans finished second to the Jaguars in the AFC Central, they swept the season series between the two clubs – the only two defeats Jacksonville sustained all year.

Tennessee had a new nickname (they had been the Tennessee Oilers for two years after moving from Houston) and a new stadium in 1999. Head Coach Jeff Fisher was in his fifth season with the team, and despite the distractions pertaining to the franchise’s relocation, had built a solid team. The conservative offense was directed by highly-mobile QB Steve McNair (pictured above), who missed the early part of the season due to a back injury but stepped up as a game manager and leader. Pro Bowl RB Eddie George ran for 1304 yards and TE Frank Wycheck was a fine clutch receiver. Rookie DE Jevon Kearse set a rookie record for sacks (14.5) and behind a good group of linebackers was a defensive backfield anchored by safeties Marcus Robertson and Blaine Bishop. At 13-3, the Titans sported the best record of any club that had ever finished as a Wild Card in the NFL and while they had narrowly gotten by Buffalo in the Wild Card round (thanks to “The Music City Miracle”) and the Colts at the Divisional level, the defense had stepped up.

Jacksonville, at 14-2, was the top seed in the AFC. Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s team had a fine quarterback in Mark Brunell, a mobile lefthander, and he had outstanding targets in wide receivers Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. Second-year RB Fred Taylor missed time with a nagging hamstring injury, but when healthy he was very productive. DE Tony Brackens anchored the tough defensive line and LB Kevin Hardy topped a good group of linebackers. Veteran FS Carnell Lake brought a savvy veteran presence to the defensive backfield. The Jaguars had hit on all cylinders in defeating Miami by an overwhelming score of 62-7 in the Divisional playoff round.

There were 75,206 fans in attendance at Jacksonville’s Alltel Stadium. Tennessee had the first possession and punted. The Jaguars then scored first thanks to a five-play, 62-yard drive. Along the way, Mark Brunell passed to Jimmy Smith for an 18-yard gain to the Tennessee 44 and Fred Taylor broke away for a 31-yard run. Three plays later, Brunell completed a seven-yard touchdown pass to TE Kyle Brady and, adding the extra point by Mike Hollis, the home team held a 7-0 lead.

The Titans responded by advancing 51 yards in nine plays. A pass interference penalty on Carnell Lake allowed the visitors to convert a third-and-seven play and Steve McNair had a completion to TE Jackie Harris for 10 yards and a carry for eight yards to the Jacksonville 18. Runs by Eddie George and McNair picked up nine yards and the possession ended with McNair throwing to WR Yancey Thigpen for a nine-yard TD. Al Del Greco’s extra point tied the score at 7-7.

Following a punt by the Jaguars, the Titans mounted another drive that reached Jacksonville territory. McNair ran for 19 yards on a third-and-ten play at the end of the opening period and George started off the second quarter with a 20-yard run to the Jacksonville 30. However, the possession stalled there and McNair’s third down pass was intercepted by CB Fernando Bryant to snuff out the threat.

Now it was the turn of the Jaguars to mount a promising drive. On a third-and-nine play, Brunell connected with Smith for 37 yards to the Tennessee 39 and, when Brunell fumbled while being sacked by SS Blaine Bishop, TE Damon Jones recovered and picked up eight yards. Taylor took off on a 19-yard run and, two plays later, caught a pass for nine more yards to the five. But a Brunell pass into the end zone was picked off by FS Marcus Robertson.

The Titans went three-and-out on the ensuing series and the Jaguars moved ahead this time thanks to a four-play series that covered 65 yards. Brunell threw to Smith for an 11-yard gain and, two plays later, a pass interference penalty advanced the ball to the Tennessee 42. Taylor ran for nine yards before RB James Stewart carried for 33 yards and a touchdown. Hollis added the PAT and Jacksonville led by 14-7.

With the clock having ticked down to under three minutes remaining in the half, the Titans again had to punt but got a break when WR Reggie Barlow fumbled Craig Hentrich’s kick and DB Steve Jackson recovered at the Jacksonville 19. Del Greco booted a 34-yard field goal with 20 seconds left before halftime and the score was 14-10 at the intermission.

The Jaguars got the ball first in the third quarter and had to punt. On their second play, the Titans picked up 11 yards on a pass from McNair to WR Isaac Byrd. McNair followed up with a completion to George for 15 yards to midfield and another 15 yards was tacked on when Tony Brackens was flagged for roughing the passer. Two plays later, a pass interference call on Bryant moved the ball all the way to the Jacksonville six. George went five yards up the middle to get to the one, and from there McNair went over for a touchdown. Del Greco added the extra point and the Titans had the lead at 17-14.

It looked good for Tennessee when Brady fumbled after catching a short pass from Brunell on the next series and DT Jason Fisk recovered at the Jacksonville 35. A five-yard run by George was followed by McNair completions to Byrd for eight yards and Harris for 15. The Jaguars stopped George for a two-yard loss on the next play and it seemed as though the home team had dodged a bullet when McNair passed to Frank Wycheck, but the star tight end fumbled when hit by LB Kevin Hardy and Lonnie Marts recovered at the one.

However, on second down Brunell was sacked in the end zone for a safety by DT Josh Evans and Fisk. The free kick was then returned by WR Derrick Mason (pictured below) for an 80-yard touchdown and, with the extra point added on, the Titans suddenly held an expanded lead of 26-14.

The Jaguars responded by advancing to the Tennessee 36, but they failed to convert a fourth-and-two situation and the Titans had the ball heading into the fourth quarter. The teams exchanged punts before McNair, at the end of a nine-yard run, fumbled and Brackens recovered at the Jacksonville 33. The Jaguars backed themselves up with consecutive penalties and then Brunell was sacked by Jevon Kearse. Brunell followed up with two completions to WR Keenan McCardell for 18 and 12 yards, and Taylor ran for seven yards to just short of midfield, but another pass was intercepted by CB Donald Mitchell at the Tennessee 39.

After two runs by George gained nine yards, McNair took off for a 51-yard carry to the Jacksonville one. McNair ran for the final yard to extinguish any lingering hopes for the Jaguars with seven minutes left to play. Jacksonville had the ball two more times, to no effect, and Tennessee won by a final score of 33-14.

The Jaguars had more total yards (355 to 289) and first downs (20 to 18). However, they also turned the ball over six times, to four flags thrown on the Titans, and allowed three sacks that included a safety that was followed up by the kick return touchdown. Jacksonville was also penalized 9 times, at a cost of 100 yards, to five flags thrown on the visitors.

Steve McNair completed 14 of 23 passes for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but was especially effective running the ball as he gained 91 yards on 9 attempts and scored twice. Eddie George rushed for 86 yards on 25 carries and caught three passes for another 19 yards. Jackie Harris also had three catches, for a team-leading 33 yards.

For the Jaguars, Mark Brunell was successful on 19 of 38 throws for 226 yards and a TD, but tossed two interceptions. Fred Taylor (pictured at right) ran for 110 yards on 19 attempts, most of which came in the first half, while Keenan McCardell caught 6 passes for 67 yards and Jimmy Smith gained 92 yards on his five pass receptions – again, getting most of those yards during the first half.

The win was costly as the Titans lost two starters to injuries during the course of the game, with Yancey Thigpen suffering a broken left foot during the first half and Marcus Robertson broke an ankle.

“They said we couldn’t beat Jacksonville three times in a season and the players didn’t blink an eye,” said Jeff Fisher. “Our players believed, believed and believed, and now we’re going to the Super Bowl.”

 

“For whatever reason, we didn’t play as well as we anticipated we would,” said a disappointed Tom Coughlin from the losing side. “The turnovers, the missed opportunities were too much to overcome. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.”

The Titans went on to a closely-fought Super Bowl loss to the St. Louis Rams. They came back to win the AFC Central in 2000, again with a 13-3 record, but fell short in the postseason by losing in the Divisional round. Jacksonville, after having been in the postseason for four straight years, dropped to 7-9 and fourth place in the division.