The 1980 Houston Oilers season was the franchise's 21st overall and the 11th in the National Football League (NFL). The team scored 295 points while the defense gave up 251 points. Their record of 11 wins and 5 losses resulted in a second-place finish in the AFC Central Division. The Oilers appeared twice on Monday Night Football. In their first appearance on Monday Night Football, the Oilers beat the Cleveland Browns 16–7. In their second appearance, the Oilers defeated the New England Patriots 38–34. Earl Campbell led the NFL in rushing for the third consecutive year and had four 200-yard rushing games.
This was the third season in a row that the Oilers made the playoffs. The team lost in the AFC Wild Card Round to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Oakland Raiders. The Oilers would not make it back to the playoffs again until 1987.
The last remaining active member of the 1980 Houston Oilers was defensive lineman Mike Stensrud, who retired after the 1989 season.
Third-year fullback Earl Campbell had the best season of his career. He rushed for 1,934 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. The Oilers' average team member age in 1980 was 27.7, making this the oldest Houston Oiler team assembled at the time.
Offseason NFL draft
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Regular season
Earl Campbell In 1980, Earl Campbell had four 200-yard rushing games. DateOpponentAttemptsYardsTouchdownsOctober 19Tampa Bay Buccaneers332030October 26Cincinnati Bengals27202 2November 16Chicago Bears31206 0December 21Minnesota Vikings29203 1
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–31 0–1 Three Rivers StadiumRecap 2 September 15 at Cleveland Browns W 16–7 1–1 Cleveland Municipal StadiumRecap 3 September 21 Baltimore Colts W 21–16 2–1 AstrodomeRecap 4 September 28 at Cincinnati Bengals W 13–10 3–1 Riverfront StadiumRecap 5 October 5 Seattle Seahawks L 7–26 3–2 AstrodomeRecap 6 October 12 at Kansas City Chiefs L 20–21 3–3 Arrowhead StadiumRecap 7 October 19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 20–14 4–3 AstrodomeRecap 8 October 26 Cincinnati Bengals W 23–3 5–3 Astrodome Recap 9 November 2 at Denver Broncos W 20–16 6–3 Mile High StadiumRecap 10 November 10 New England Patriots W 38–34 7–3 AstrodomeRecap 11 November 16 at Chicago Bears W 10–6 8–3 Soldier FieldRecap 12 November 23 at New York Jets L 28–31 8–4 Shea StadiumRecap 13 November 30 Cleveland Browns L 14–17 8–5 AstrodomeRecap 14 December 4 Pittsburgh Steelers W 6–0 9–5 AstrodomeRecap 15 December 14 at Green Bay Packers W 22–3 10–5 Lambeau FieldRecap 16 December 21 Minnesota Vikings W 20–16 11–5 AstrodomeRecap
Standings
Postseason
AFC Wild Card
Even though the Oilers recorded more yards, more first downs, and more time of possession, the Raiders scored on big plays to win, 27–7.
In the first of his two seasons with the Oilers, this would be Kenny "Snake" Stabler's final playoff game.
Awards and records Earl Campbell, NFL Rushing Leader, (1,934) Earl Campbell, All-Pro selection 1980 Earl Campbell, Pro Bowl selection 1980 Earl Campbell, NEA NFL MVP (1980) Earl Campbell, NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1980)
Milestones Earl Campbell, 3rd 1,000-yard rushing season Earl Campbell, 3rd NFL Rushing Title Earl Campbell, Four 200-yard rushing games (Oct 19, Oct 26, Nov., 16, Dec. 21)
References
External links 1980 Houston Oilers at Pro-Football-Reference.com