1997 NFL Season Recap

Originally published on Sept. 18, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, January 25th, 1998, the Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII to win the 78th championship in NFL history. It was the first championship for the Broncos franchise as Broncos running back Terrell Davis won the Super Bowl MVP Award. The game was held at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

Packers quarterback Brett Favre and Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders were co-winners of the 1997 MVP Award, as Favre had 35 passing touchdowns and 3,867 passing yards, while Sanders earned 11 rushing touchdowns and 2,053 rushing yards. San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield won the 1997 Defensive Player of the Year Award with 15 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Out of Playoffs: New York Jets (9-7), Washington Redskins (8-7-1), Tennessee Oilers (8-8), Seattle Seahawks (8-8), Carolina Panthers (7-9), Atlanta Falcons (7-9), Cincinnati Bengals (7-9), Philadelphia Eagles (6-9-1), Baltimore Ravens (6-9-1), Buffalo Bills (6-10), Dallas Cowboys (6-10), New Orleans Saints (6-10), St. Louis Rams (5-11), Arizona Cardinals (4-12), Chicago Bears (4-12), Oakland Raiders (4-12), San Diego Chargers (4-12), Indianapolis Colts (3-13)

Out in first round: New York Giants (L 23-22 to Vikings), Jacksonville Jaguars (L 42-17 to Broncos), Detroit Lions (L 20-10 to Buccaneers), Miami Dolphins (L 17-3 to Patriots)

Out in second round: Kansas City Chiefs (L 14-10 to Broncos), New England Patriots (L 7-6 to Steelers), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L 21-7 to Packers), Minnesota Vikings (L 38-22 to 49ers)

Out in third round: San Francisco 49ers (L 23-10 to Packers), Pittsburgh Steelers (L 24-21 to Broncos)

Most passing touchdowns: #4 Brett Favre (Packers)- 35 TD

Most rushing touchdowns: #30 Terrell Davis (Broncos)- 15 TD & 1,750 yds

Most receiving touchdowns: #80 Cris Carter (Vikings)- 13 TD

Most sacks: #93 John Randle (Vikings)- 15.5 sacks

Most forced fumbles: #92 Roy Barker (49ers)- 8 FF

Most interceptions: #47 Ryan McNeil (Rams)- 9 INT

Best field goal percentage (min. 12 attempts): #10 Pete Stoyanovich (Chiefs)- 96.3%

Scoring Summary

 

Link to stats database: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1997/