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Houston Astros: Six reasons not to worry about this team’s adversity

By Kenneth Cline

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 29: Manager A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros, left, looks on during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on August 29, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Jason Behnken / Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 29: Manager A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros, left, looks on during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on August 29, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Jason Behnken / Getty Images) /
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Reason #5: Oil’s well that ends well

Some of the saddest memories in Houston sports lore involve the Houston Oilers. From losing two straight AFC Titles to the Steelers to the infamous choke against the Bills. From the days when Earl Campbell ran over opposing players to the final nail in the coffin when Bud Adams moved the franchise to Tennessee.

But even with all the sadness of dark clouds that will only be cured by a Texans’ Super Bowl triumph, there is one ray of sunshine. It happened in 1960 and 1961 when the Houston Oilers won the first two AFL title games. This was five years before the very first Super Bowl. Trivia fact, if the Oilers had defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFL title game, then they’re playing the defending champion Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II.

1960

In 1960, the Oilers were in a tight division along with the New York Titans (now the New York Jets) before they won the final two games to secure the title. This set the stage for a showdown with the San Diego Chargers. What was interesting in the first one was that the game was scheduled to be played at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. But because the Chargers seated 10,000 in a 100,000 seat stadium and fears that ABC would pull out of their contract because of this, the game was moved to what is now Roberson Field. Led by Hall of Famer George Blanda and Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon, the Oilers defeated San Diego 24-16 to win the title.

1961

Houston’s quest for a second straight title took a bad start when the Oilers started 1-3-1. This didn’t sit well for Adams, who fired head coach Lou Rymkus and replaced him with former assistant Wally Lemm. From that point on, the Oilers would never lose another game. In the rematch against the Chargers in the AFL title game, Houston won a sloppy 10-3 victory to take their second conference championship.

1962

The Oilers would’ve made history had they won three straight titles. It wouldn’t until 1967 that either an AFL or NFL won three straight conference titles. Unfortunately, the dream would be denied in a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to the Dallas Texans (now the Kansas City Chiefs). Losing to a team that had your future NFL name and they’re from Dallas? That’s a double whammy if you ask me. But that would certainly be the closest a Houston team would get to the Super Bowl beginning in 1966. If only the Texans could help us out.

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