What Is 1964 Houston Oilers football team

Overview

The 1964 Houston Oilers were a professional American football team competing in the American Football League (AFL). This season marked their fifth year in franchise history and part of the league’s formative era before the AFL–NFL merger.

Under the leadership of head coaches Lou Rymkus and later Wally Lemm, the team struggled to maintain consistency. Despite flashes of offensive strength, particularly from veteran George Blanda, they failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

• Record: The Oilers finished the 1964 season with a 5–8–1 win-loss-tie record, a decline from their 8–6 performance in 1963.
• Division Standing: They placed 4th in the AFL Eastern Division, behind the Buffalo Bills, Boston Patriots, and New York Jets.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at Jeppesen Stadium, a 32,000-seat facility located on the University of Houston campus.
• Coaching Change:Lou Rymkus was fired after a 2–3 start and replaced by Wally Lemm, who had previously coached the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Key Player:George Blanda served as both starting quarterback and placekicker, throwing for 1,834 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1964 campaign was marked by inconsistency, especially on defense, which allowed an average of 25.4 points per game. Offensively, the Oilers showed potential but lacked the depth to sustain winning streaks.

• Week 1: The season opened with a 23–20 loss to the San Diego Chargers, despite Blanda throwing two touchdown passes.
• Offensive Output: The team scored 311 total points (22.2 per game), ranking 6th in the 8-team AFL.
• Defensive Struggles: They allowed 356 points, the second-worst in the league, highlighting major defensive deficiencies.
• Close Games: The Oilers played in four games decided by 3 points or fewer, winning only one, indicating poor clutch performance.
• Final Game: They ended the season with a 34–24 win over the Oakland Raiders, giving a positive note to an otherwise disappointing year.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1964 Oilers compared poorly to both league leaders and previous team performances, as shown in the table below:

While the Oilers scored slightly more than the Jets, their defense ranked among the league’s worst. The Buffalo Bills, who won the AFL Championship that year, outperformed them in every statistical category, underscoring the gap between contenders and mid-tier teams like Houston.

Why It Matters

The 1964 season was a transitional year that highlighted both the promise and pitfalls of the Oilers’ roster and coaching structure. It served as a cautionary tale about the importance of defensive stability and consistent leadership.

• Franchise Development: The season demonstrated the need for organizational stability, especially after mid-season coaching changes disrupted team chemistry.
• George Blanda’s Role: At age 37, Blanda’s dual role as quarterback and kicker showcased versatility but also exposed a lack of depth in key positions.
• League Context: The AFL was still establishing credibility, and inconsistent performances from teams like the Oilers made national respect harder to earn.
• Stadium Limitations: Jeppesen Stadium’s limited capacity and facilities reflected the financial and logistical challenges of early AFL franchises.
• Player Development: The team relied heavily on veterans, indicating a gap in youth development compared to rising teams like the Bills.
• Historical Legacy: Though not a playoff team, the 1964 Oilers contributed to the AFL’s growth and eventual merger with the NFL in 1970.

The 1964 Houston Oilers may not be remembered as a successful team, but their season provides valuable insight into the evolving landscape of professional football during a pivotal decade.