1997 Game 229 (Week 17) Pittsburgh at Tennessee

Posted on June 18, 2024 by bboyd31573

Steelers beat Oilers; wait on the Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers did their part Sunday afternoon. They defeated the Tennessee Oilers, 31-12, at the Liberty Bowl. Now the Steelers must wait on the Cincinnati Bengals to find out who the AFC Central Champion will be. The Bengals were playing the Baltimore Ravens and were losing at halftime 17-10. If the Bengals win, they are the division champions. If the Bengals lose, the Steelers are the champs.

The Steelers played Steeler football on Sunday. They pounded at the Oiler defense rushing the ball 41 times. RB Jerome Bettis rushed for 111 yards on 32 carries with a touchdown. “The Bus”, in his first year with the Steelers, rushed for 1,425 yards and five touchdowns.

QB Kordell Stewart continued to hit on the big play for the Steelers. He threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Yancy Thigpen in scramble mode, which put the Steelers up big 28-3 in the second quarter. Stewart, in his first year as a starting quarterback, threw for 3,425 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for 415 yards and four touchdowns on the year. Thigpen caught 89 passes this year for 1,761 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Oilers (6-10) could not penetrate the Steelers defensive front. The Oilers managed only 79 yards on the ground (30 of it came on a Steve McNair scramble). The Steelers held Eddie George to just 46 yards on the day on 14 carries. George rushed for 1,270 yards on the season with seven TDs.

McNair did throw for 328 yards on the day, but most of it came as they were down big in the game. McNair threw for 3,273 yards on the season with 15 TDs and 10 INTs.

The Steelers will find out shortly if they are division champs, but they are going to have to wait until later in the day to see if they play on the road or at home. The Broncos play the Seahawks. If the Broncos lose, the Steelers just may sneak into the #4 seed in the AFC, which will give them a home game in the Wildcard round of the playoffs.

1997 Game 229 Stats

1997 Game 215 (Week 16) Tennessee at Baltimore

Posted on June 7, 2024 by bboyd31573

Ravens hold on to beat the Oilers!

Baltimore Ravens’ punt returner Jermaine Lewis is one punt return away from tying the NFL record for punt return touchdowns in a season. Lewis returned a punt 74 yards on the final play of the half that sparked the Ravens’ 13-10 victory over the Oilers on Sunday at Baltimore Memorial Stadium.

Lewis has now returned three punts for touchdowns this season. Jack Christensen of Detroit in 1951 and Rick Upchurch of the Broncos in 1976 have returned four punts for touchdowns in a season.

The Ravens needed Lewis’ punt return as their offense was abysmal. The Ravens managed 273 total yards on the day. QB Eric Zeier replaced an injured Vinny Testaverde and struggled passing the ball. He went 16 of 34 for 182 yards.

Defensively, the Ravens punished the Oilers holding them to just 217 total yards. They harassed QB Steve McNair all day long, so he finished 11 of 30 for 104 yards with a TD and 2 INTs that thwarted Oiler scoring opportunities.

Both the Ravens and the Oilers are out of the playoff hunt. They both have 6-9 records and will play in vital games next Sunday for the AFC Central Division Championship. The Bengals and the Steelers are tied atop the division and Sunday’s game will determine the champion. The Ravens travel to Cincinnati, while the Oilers host the Steelers.

1997 Game 215 Stats

1997 Game 196 (Week 15) Tennessee at Cincinnati

Posted on May 8, 2024 by bboyd31573

Bengals blow their opportunity on Thursday Night

The Cincinnati Bengals have shocked the NFL so far in 1997 and had the AFC Central Division lead going into their Thursday night tilt against the Tennessee Oilers with three games to play in the regular season. With a flat performance from their offense, the Bengals blew their opportunity to keep the division lead and lost to the Oilers, 20-13, at Cinergy Field.

The Bengals’ offense had a poor showing. The Bengals scored 13 points but only six of it came from their offense. The Oilers held the Bengals to just 286 total yards and only 54 on the ground. The only Bengal touchdown came when DE John Copeland picked up a Rodney Thomas fumble and raced 48 yards for a TD.

On the Oilers’ side, they rushed the ball for 181 yards. RB Eddie George rushed for 82 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. QB Steve McNair scrambled for 40 yards and threw for 179 yards on 18 of 31 passing.

The Bengals hope the Steelers lose Sunday against the Broncos to keep the division lead. If not, the Bengals will try to get the lead back next Sunday when they host the Dallas Cowboys. The Oilers are now 6-8 on the season and they will travel to Baltimore.

1997 Game 196

1997 Game 182 (Week 14) Tennessee at Dallas

Posted on April 18, 2024 by bboyd31573

Aikman leads Cowboys to thrilling win on Thanksgiving!

The Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Oilers gave the American viewers a heck of a game in the 2^nd game on Thanksgiving Holiday. Nothing like turkey and football! The Cowboys showed their Championship Moxey as they came-from-behind to beat the Oilers 26-25 in the final seconds at Texas Stadium.

The Oilers took the lead, 25-20, with 3:30 in the fourth quarter when QB Steve McNair hooked up with WR Chris Sanders on a 16-yard touchdown. McNair was fabulous on the drive as he used his legs and his arm to put the Oilers into position to win the game.

With 3:30 on the clock, future Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman went to work. On the first play of the drive, Aikman hooked up with little used tight end David LeFleur for 23 yards. On a second down play, Aikman rifled a shot to the other tight end Eric Bjornson for 14 yards and then a 16-yard pass to RB Hershal Walker that set the Cowboys up at the 20-yard line. On a second down play, Aikman threw the ball to the corner of the end zone where WR Anthony Miller plucked the ball out of the air for the game-winning touchdown with just four seconds remaining. The Cowboys failed on their two-point try and won the game 26-25 in thrilling fashion.

The Cowboys are now 6-7 and face the struggling Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football next week in Charlotte. With three games to play, the Cowboys have an outside shot at winning the NFC East. As for the Oilers, the loss hinders their chances in the AFC playoffs as they are now 5-8. The Oilers will travel to Cincinnati next Thursday night.

1997 Game 182 Stats

1997 Game 167 (Week 13) Buffalo at Tennessee

Posted on March 31, 2024 by bboyd31573

Bills make a comeback; Bruce Smith saves the day!

Long gone are the days of the Bills’ four-time Super Bowl appearance and dominance in the AFC. They came into Sunday’s matchup in the Liberty Bowl against the Tennessee Oilers with a 3-8 record and out of the AFC playoff race. Gone is Jim Kelly and the K-Gun offense, Cornelius Bennett and Daryl Talley. However, the Bills still have three future Hall of Famers on their team and the three of them showed out Sunday in the Bills’ come-from-behind victory over the Oilers, 17-13.

With 6:15 left in the 4^th quarter, the Oilers took the lead, 13-10, on an Al Del Greco 50-yard field goal. The Oilers’ fans were hyped up, but the Bills still have Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. The two future Hall of Famers were instrumental on a long Bills’ drive. Thomas caught a 13-yard pass on third down to keep the drive alive, and then Andre Reed caught a 29-yard strike from Todd Collins to set the Bills up inside the Oiler 5-yard line. A play later and RB Antwane Smith plunged into the end zone from 3-yards out and the Bills took a 17-13 lead.

The Oilers got the ball back with 1:45 on the clock and Steve McNair immediately moved the ball. He hit WR Willie Davis for 27 yards and the Oilers were driving until…Bruce Smith shut the door. On a 2^nd and 10 from the Bills’ 42-yard line, Smith went around tackle Brad Hopkins and drilled QB Collins, who fumbled the football. Ted Washington hopped on the ball and Bruce Smith, the third future Hall of Famer, shut the door on the Oilers.

Next week the Bills (4-8) will host the New York Jets, while the Oilers (5-7) take on the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving day.

1997 Game 167 Stats

1997 Game 156 (Week 12) Tennessee at Jacksonville

Posted on March 21, 2024 by bboyd31573

Oilers overpower the Jaguars

In a battle of 4-6 teams, it was the Tennessee Oilers who took a step forward and launched themselves in the AFC Wildcard picture. The Oilers used a physical running game to pound the Jaguar defense. They racked up 234 yards on the ground in the 38-19 win at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville.

The Oiler running game not only kept their offense moving but it also kept the ball away from QB Mark Brunell and the Jaguar explosive offense. The Oilers held the ball for over 33 minutes and won the time of possession battle.

RB Eddie George rushed for 94 yards on 25 carries. Backup RB Rodney Thomas rushed for 51 yards on only 7 carries and had 3 rushing touchdowns on the day. Even QB Steve McNair was hard to corral as he rushed for 89 yards on 11 scrambles.

Missed opportunities were the story for the Jaguars. They had multiple scoring opportunities throughout the game; however, they squandered most of them with trading in field goals for touchdowns. The Oilers also came up with some huge sacks, which forced the Jaguars out of scoring opportunities.

The Jaguars were only able to muster up 164 total yards. Brunell was only able to throw for 116 yards and they could only rush for 90 yards.

The Oilers are now in the AFC Wildcard race. They host the Buffalo Bills next week. The Jaguars are now 4-7, but they have a favorable schedule down the stretch, but they are in a must-win scenario next week at Cincinnati, who has been red-hot.

1997 Game 156 Stats

1997 Game 147 (Week 11) NY Giants at Tennessee

Posted on March 7, 2024 by bboyd31573

Giants run over the Oilers

The New York Giants used their running game to overpower the Tennessee Oilers, 20-12, Sunday at the Liberty Bowl.

With rookie RB Tiki Barber back in the lineup from injury, the Giants used a three-headed monster to rush 43 times for 184 yards in the victory. Barber rushed 11 times for 41 yards and a TD. Tyrone Wheatley led the Giants in rushing, though, as he carried the ball 14 times for 79 yards and a TD. Charlie Way carried the ball 11 times for 59 yards.

The running game was used to compensate for the poor performance from backup QB Danny Kannell, who threw for only 111 yards on 7 of 19 passing. Kannell also threw 2 interceptions on the day.

As for the Oilers, they rushed for 147 yards but could not get into the endzone. They reached the Red Zone four times and came away with only three field goals. QB Steve McNair threw an interception on the other opportunity in the Red Zone. K Al Del Greco did all the scoring for the Oilers with 4 made field goals.

McNair struggled on the day. He was 15 of 37 passing with 201 yards and 3 costly interceptions. McNair did scramble for 60 yards. Eddie George rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries.

The Giants got a huge play on the second offensive play of the game. OLB Jesse Armstead picked off McNair and raced 27 yards for an interception return for a touchdown. K Brad Daluiso missed the extra point, but the Giants led 6-0 45-seconds into the game.

The Giants will host Arizona next week in an NFC East matchup. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 27-14 earlier in the season. The Giants are just one game behind the Redskins for the NFC East lead and they will face them in two weeks on Sunday Night Football at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium.

The Oilers are now 4-6 and still in the hunt in the AFC playoff race. Next week, they will travel to Jacksonville to take on the struggling Jaguars.

1997 Game 147 Stats

1997 Game 131 (Week 10) Jacksonville at Tennessee

Posted on February 5, 2024 by bboyd31573

Special Teams Blunders Doom the Oilers

Despite dominating the game offensively, the Tennessee Oilers had two devastating special teams’ blunders that caused them to lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-20, in front of their home fans at the Liberty Bowl.

With the game tied at 13 mid-way through the 4^th quarter, the Oilers lined up for a 36-yard field goal by Al Del Greco. When the snap came back, the holder bobbled it and then lost it. In a mad scramble for the ball, it squirted out of the pile and Jaguar DB Chris Hudson picked it up and raced 74 yards for a TD to give the Jaguars the lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Oilers’ kick returner Derrick Mason mishandled the ball. He picked it up, but the Jaguar kickoff unit was all over him. They knocked the ball loose from Mason and it squirted into the endzone. Jaguar Ty Hallock jumped on it, and within 15 seconds of game play, the Jaguars took a 27-13 lead that they never relinquished because of two costly special teams’ blunders.

The Oilers racked up 393 total yards compared to the Jaguars’ 207. In fact, the Oilers rushed for 180 yards with 102 of it coming from RB Eddie George and 54 from QB Steve McNair. They also got 216 yards passing from McNair and 2 TD passes despite the loss.

The Jaguars QB Mark Brunell threw for 192 yards on 14 of 30 passing with an interception. Jimmy Smith caught five passes for 73 yards. The Jaguars could only muster up 37 yards on the ground despite the return of RB Natrone Means.

The Jaguars have stiff competition next week as they host the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, while the Oilers try to get back on track when they take on the NY Giants at the Liberty Bowl. In two weeks, these two teams face off again. This time in Jacksonville.

1997 Game 131 Stats

Boyd’s 1997 Replay Game 116 (Week 9) Tennessee at Arizona

Posted on January 11, 2024 by bboyd31573

The Oilers explode in the Desert

The Tennessee Oilers have been sputtering on offense the entire 1997 campaign. They started the season with two wins, scoring a total of 54 points. Then they went on a four-game losing streak where their offense hit the skids, scoring a total of 45 points in those four losses. Last week, they beat the Redskins but could only manage 16. On Sunday, they traveled to Sun Devil Stadium and exploded on the Arizona Cardinals winning 45-31.

The Oilers unleashed a potent rushing attack led by 2^nd year RB Eddie George, who rushed for 149 yards on 30 carries and a TD in this game. As a team, the Oilers rushed for 209 yards.

Oilers QB Steve McNair also showed his potential as he threw for 224 yards and 2 TDs on the day. He used the success of the running game to hit TE Frank Wycheck 7 times for 143 yards and 2 TDs.

As for the Cardinals, they have been excited of the play of rookie QB Jake “The Snake” Plummer. He led the Cardinals to a victory and he had a decent day today. He threw for 196 yards and 3 TDs. WR Rob Moore continued his outstanding season as he caught 5 passes for 43 yards and a score. On the season, Moore has 64 catches for 960 yards and 7 TDs in 8 games.

The Oilers (4-4) will try to keep their winning streak going next Sunday when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Cardinals (1-7) will take on the Eagles at home.

1997 Game 116 Stats

Boyd’s 1997 Replay Game 101 (Week 8) Washington at Tennessee

Posted on December 8, 2023 by bboyd31573

The Oilers controlled the Skins

Time of possession is a statistic that is usually misleading. Not today in the matchup between the Tennessee Oilers and the Washington Redskins Sunday afternoon on Liberty Field.

The Oilers ran 81 offensive plays and possessed the ball for over 41 minutes in the 16-13 victory over the Redskins. Conversely, the Redskins ran 36 offensive plays and possessed the football for only a little under 19 minutes.

Oiler RB Eddie George carried the ball 33 times for 119 yards in the game, while QB Steve McNair threw it 31 times for 205 yards and a TD.

The Redskins led early in the second quarter 10-0 when Gus Frerotte connected with Albert Connell on a 70-yd bomb. Then the Oilers began to pound away at the Redskins. Al Del Greco kicked three FGs and going into the 4th quarter, the Redskins led 13 to 9.

With 11:45 to play, Steve McNair finally scored in the red zone when he hooked up with RB Rodney Thomas for a 12-yd TD pass to give the Oilers a 16-13 lead. The Oilers’ defense stuffed the Redskins and then the Oilers melted away the final 6:15 of the 4th quarter clock and the Redskins never touched the ball again.

The Oilers are now 3-4 on the season and will travel to the desert to take on the Cardinals next week. The Redskins dropped to 4-3 on the season and will host the Baltimore Ravens Sunday afternoon.

1997 Game 101 Stats

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