What Is 1968 Houston Oilers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1968 Houston Oilers were an American Football League (AFL) team that finished the season with a 7–6–1 record, placing second in the AFL's Eastern Division. They did not qualify for the playoffs, marking the final season before the AFL-NFL merger began.

Key Facts

The 1968 Houston Oilers finished with a 7–6–1 win-loss-tie record
They played home games at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas
Head coach was Wally Lemm, who returned after a previous stint with the team
Quarterback Pete Beathard started 10 games and threw for 1,843 yards
The team failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year

Overview

The 1968 Houston Oilers were a professional American football team competing in the American Football League (AFL), marking their ninth season in franchise history. Despite a modest improvement from their 4–10 record in 1967, the Oilers finished 7–6–1 and missed the postseason, continuing a period of instability.

Based in Houston, Texas, the team played its home games at Rice Stadium and operated under head coach Wally Lemm, who returned to the role after previously coaching the Oilers in 1961. The 1968 season was notable for its competitive division and the growing momentum toward the AFL-NFL merger, which would reshape professional football.

Record: The team compiled a 7–6–1 win-loss-tie record, finishing second in the AFL Eastern Division behind the New York Jets.
Home Field: All home games were played at Rice Stadium, a college facility with a seating capacity of approximately 60,000.
Head Coach: Wally Lemm returned as head coach after a seven-year absence, having previously led the Oilers to an AFL Championship in 1961.
Quarterback Play: Pete Beathard started 10 games, throwing for 1,843 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also recording 12 interceptions.
Final Season Context: This was the last full season before the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, which would integrate the Oilers into the NFL’s American Football Conference.

Season Performance and Key Players

The 1968 Oilers showed flashes of competitiveness but struggled with consistency, particularly on defense and special teams. The offense relied heavily on the passing game, but turnovers and lack of depth hindered playoff aspirations.

Passing Game: Pete Beathard led the team with 1,843 passing yards, completing 54.7% of his attempts, a solid mark for the era.
Receiving Corps: Charlie Hennigan, a veteran star, retired after 1966; his absence left a void filled by Horace Ivory and Bill Striegel.
Running Backs: Tom Matte, acquired mid-season, provided stability with 368 rushing yards in just eight games played with the team.
Defense: The unit allowed an average of 22.1 points per game, ranking seventh in the 10-team AFL, but lacked game-changing plays.
Special Teams: Kicker George Blanda, though primarily known as a quarterback, contributed 58 points, mostly from field goals and extra points.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1968 Houston Oilers and their closest division rivals in the AFL East:

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Playoff Result
Houston Oilers	7–6–1	278	284	Did not qualify
New York Jets	11–3	390	282	Won AFL Championship, then Super Bowl III
Boston Patriots	6–8	222	258	Did not qualify
Buffalo Bills	3–11	215	361	Did not qualify
Miami Dolphins	5–8–1	262	299	Did not qualify

The Oilers ranked second in the division but fell short of the Jets’ dominant performance. Their point differential of -6 indicated a relatively balanced team, but inconsistency in close games led to their playoff exclusion. The Jets’ eventual Super Bowl III victory highlighted the gap between contenders and mid-tier teams like Houston.

Why It Matters

The 1968 season is a footnote in the broader narrative of the AFL’s rise and eventual merger with the NFL. It reflects a transitional era for the Oilers and professional football as a whole, where team stability, league parity, and national exposure were evolving rapidly.

Historical Context: The 1968 season occurred just two years before the full AFL-NFL merger, making it part of a pivotal transition in pro football history.
Franchise Legacy: The Oilers’ struggles in 1968 contributed to declining attendance, eventually leading to relocation discussions in the 1990s.
Player Development: The season highlighted the need for stronger quarterback depth, influencing future draft strategies.
Coaching Impact: Wally Lemm’s return underscored the team’s reliance on past success, but his health issues limited long-term leadership.
Media Exposure: Games were broadcast on regional networks, increasing visibility but not matching the national spotlight of teams like the Jets.
Legacy of Rice Stadium: The venue’s use reflected financial constraints and the challenge of maintaining a professional team in a college-dominated market.

While the 1968 Houston Oilers did not achieve postseason success, their season offers insight into the competitive and structural shifts shaping modern professional football. Their performance laid groundwork for future changes both on and off the field.