Head coach Eddie Erdelatz said that, despite speculation in the press to the contrary, quarterback Tom Flores and fullback Billy Lott were still going to start against the Oilers on the 25th. That speculation suggested that Babe Parilli and Jetstream Smith had played their way into starting roles. Erdelatz also said he hoped to use the newly-acquired Bill Striegel on the offensive rather than the defensive line, which is where he had played with the Cowboys.

Tackle Dalton Truax was expected to be out for the Oilers game with newcomer Paul Oglesby taking his place on the line.

Erdelatz had come down with laryngitis, reducing his voice to a whisper.