The 1997 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 38th season in the National Football League (NFL) and was its fourth under head coach Barry Switzer. Before the season, the Cowboys were considered among the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XXXII. Instead, the team regressed significantly.
The Cowboys not only failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 1996, they finished with a 6-10 record. It was their first losing season since 1990, and as a result the Cowboys failed to qualify for the playoffs after six consecutive seasons of postseason appearances, including their three Super Bowl victories during the decade. A series of countless off-the-field incidents, lack of discipline, and rumors of infighting between quarterback Troy Aikman and head coach Barry Switzer plagued the team throughout the year. Switzer would resign from the Cowboys at the end of the campaign.
Offseason NFL draft
Roster Dallas Cowboys 1997 roster Quarterbacks Troy Aikman Jason Garrett Wade Wilson
Running backs Daryl Johnston FB Emmitt Smith Nicky Sualua FB Herschel Walker Sherman Williams
Wide receivers Billy Davis Michael Irvin Anthony Miller Stepfret Williams
Tight ends Eric Bjornson Scott Galbraith David LaFleur Offensive linemen Larry Allen G John Flannery G George Hegamin T Tony Hutson T Nate Newton G Steve Scifres G Clay Shiver C Mark Tuinei T Erik Williams T
Defensive linemen Antonio Anderson DT Darren Benson DT Shante Carver DE Tony Casillas DT Chad Hennings DT Leon Lett DT Hurvin McCormack DE Kavika Pittman DE Tony Tolbert DELinebackers Dexter Coakley OLB Randall Godfrey OLB Nate Hemsley MLB Vinson Smith OLB Fred Strickland MLB Broderick Thomas OLB
Defensive backs Bill Bates SS Wendell Davis CB Brock Marion FS Kevin Mathis CB Singor Mobley SS Deion Sanders CB Kevin Smith CB Omar Stoutmire FS Kenny Wheaton CB Charlie Williams CB Darren Woodson SS
Special teams Richie Cunningham K Toby Gowin P Dale Hellestrae LSReserve lists Lee Vaughn CB (IR) Macey Brooks WR (IR)
John Reece CB (IR)
Practice squad Sean Simms TE Emory Smith FB
Rookies in italics 53 active, 4 inactive, 2 practice squad
Regular season Though the season began well with an impressive win against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a 3–1 start, the Cowboys would soon see a sharp decline that included five consecutive losses to close out the year. A series of countless off-the-field incidents, lack of discipline, and rumors of infighting between quarterback Troy Aikman and head coach Barry Switzer plagued the team throughout the year. In a season filled with injuries and controversy, which also saw a tearful Michael Irvin promising change following a tough loss to the New York Giants in the final regular season game, Switzer would later resign after the season. Notable additions to the team were linebacker Dexter Coakley.
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 August 31 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 37–7 1–0 Three Rivers Stadium Recap 2September 7 at Arizona Cardinals L 22–25 1–1 Sun Devil StadiumRecap 3 Philadelphia Eagles W 21–20 2–1 Texas StadiumRecap 4 Bye 5 September 28 Chicago Bears W 27–3 3–1 Texas StadiumRecap 6October 5 at New York Giants L 17–20 3–2 Giants StadiumRecap 7 at Washington Redskins L 16–21 3–3 Jack Kent Cooke StadiumRecap 8October 19 Jacksonville Jaguars W 26–22 4–3 Texas Stadium Recap 9 October 26 at Philadelphia Eagles L 12–13 4–4 Veterans StadiumRecap 10 November 2 at San Francisco 49ers L 10–17 4–5Candlestick Park Recap 11 November 9 Arizona Cardinals W 24–6 5–5 Texas Stadium Recap 12 November 16 Washington Redskins W 17–14 6–5 Texas Stadium Recap 13 November 23 at Green Bay Packers L 17–45 6–6 Lambeau Field Recap 14 Tennessee Oilers L 14–27 6–7Texas Stadium Recap 15 Carolina Panthers L 13–23 6–8 Texas Stadium Recap 16December 14 at Cincinnati Bengals L 24–31 6–9 Cinergy Field Recap 17December 21 New York Giants L 7–20 6–10 Texas Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1
Michael Irvin 7 Rec, 153 Yds Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Oct-20.
Standings
Awards and records Troy Aikman, Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
Publications The Football Encyclopedia Total Football Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes
References
External links
Pro Football Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys Official Site