1981 Houston Oilers season
The 1981 Houston Oilers season was the franchise's 22nd overall and the 12th in the National Football League (NFL). Bum Phillips was fired as head coach during the off season for failing to reach the Super Bowl, and replaced by Ed Biles. However, the Oilers defensive problems would catch up with them as they finished with a disappointing 7-9 record, as Earl Campbell fought through injuries to rush for 1,376 yards.
Offseason
NFL draft
Main article:
1981 NFL draft[1]
Personnel
Staff
| 1981 Houston Oilers staff |
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Front office
- Owner/Chairman of the Board/President – Bud Adams
- Executive Vice President/General Manager – Ladd Herzeg
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
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Regular season
Schedule
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1 |
September 6, 1981 |
at Los Angeles Rams |
W 27–20 |
63,198 |
| 2 |
September 13, 1981 |
at Cleveland Browns |
W 9–3 |
79,483 |
| 3 |
September 20, 1981 |
Miami Dolphins |
L 16–10 |
47,379 |
| 4 |
September 27, 1981 |
at New York Jets |
L 33–17 |
50,309 |
| 5 |
October 4, 1981 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
W 17–10 |
44,350 |
| 6 |
October 11, 1981 |
Seattle Seahawks |
W 35–17 |
42,671 |
| 7 |
October 18, 1981 |
at New England Patriots |
L 38–10 |
60,474 |
| 8 |
October 26, 1981 |
at Pittsburgh Steelers |
L 26–13 |
52,732 |
| 9 |
November 1, 1981 |
at Cincinnati Bengals |
L 34–21 |
54,736 |
| 10 |
November 8, 1981 |
Oakland Raiders |
W 17–16 |
45,519 |
| 11 |
November 15, 1981 |
at Kansas City Chiefs |
L 23–10 |
73,984 |
| 12 |
November 22, 1981 |
New Orleans Saints |
L 27–24 |
49,581 |
| 13 |
November 29, 1981 |
Atlanta Falcons |
L 31–27 |
40,201 |
| 14 |
December 3, 1981 |
Cleveland Browns |
W 17–13 |
44,502 |
| 15 |
December 13, 1981 |
at San Francisco 49ers |
L 28–6 |
55,707 |
| 16 |
December 20, 1981 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
W 21–20 |
41,056 |
Standings
References
External links
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- Formerly the Houston Oilers (1960–1996) and the Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
- Founded in 1960
- Based in Nashville, Tennessee
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