1997 Dallas Cowboys season

NFL team season August 2023 March 2026 Dallas Cowboys 1997 6–10 4th NFC East Jerry Jones Jerry Jones Barry Switzer Ernie Zampese Dave Campo Texas Stadium Did not qualify G Larry AllenG Nate NewtonCB Deion Sanders (did not play)S Darren Woodson (did not play) File:Dallas Cowboys Uniforms 2013-2014.png Cowboys seasons 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 1997 NFL draft 1997 Dallas Cowboys 1 22 David LaFleur Tight end LSU yes 3 65 Dexter Coakley Linebacker Appalachian State yes yes 3 83 Steve Scifres Guard Wyoming yes 3 94 Kenny Wheaton Cornerback Oregon yes 4 101 Antonio Anderson Defensive tackle Syracuse no 4 127 Macey Brooks Wide receiver James Madison yes 4 129 Nicky Sualua Fullback Ohio State yes 6 187 Lee Vaughn Cornerback Boston College no yes Roster Dallas Cowboys 1997 roster Quarterbacks  8 Troy Aikman 17 Jason Garrett 18 Wade Wilson Running backs 48 Daryl Johnston FB 22 Emmitt Smith 45 Nicky Sualua FB 34 Herschel Walker 20 Sherman Williams Wide receivers 87 Billy Davis 88 Michael Irvin 83 Anthony Miller 80 Stepfret Williams Tight ends 86 Eric Bjornson 81 Scott Galbraith 89 David LaFleur Offensive linemen 73 Larry Allen G 63 John Flannery G 69 George Hegamin T 66 Tony Hutson T 61 Nate Newton G 77 Steve Scifres G 50 Clay Shiver C 71 Mark Tuinei T 79 Erik Williams T Defensive linemen 96 Antonio Anderson DT 91 Darren Benson DT 98 Shante Carver DE 75 Tony Casillas DT 95 Chad Hennings DT 78 Leon Lett DT 99 Hurvin McCormack DE 97 Kavika Pittman DE 92 Tony Tolbert DELinebackers 52 Dexter Coakley OLB 56 Randall Godfrey OLB 58 Nate Hemsley MLB 57 Vinson Smith OLB 55 Fred Strickland MLB 51 Broderick Thomas OLB Defensive backs 40 Bill Bates SS 35 Wendell Davis CB 31 Brock Marion FS 23 Kevin Mathis CB 27 Singor Mobley SS 21 Deion Sanders CB 26 Kevin Smith CB 24 Omar Stoutmire FS 30 Kenny Wheaton CB 42 Charlie Williams CB 28 Darren Woodson SS Special teams  3 Richie Cunningham K  4 Toby Gowin P 70 Dale Hellestrae LSReserve lists 37 Lee Vaughn CB (IR) 10px 19 Macey Brooks WR (IR) 10px 32 Beau Morgan y RB Military -- John Reece CB (IR) 10px Practice squad 49 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 (OT) 1–1 Sun Devil StadiumRecap 3September 15, 1997 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 7October 13, 1997 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 14November 27, 1997 Tennessee Oilers L 14–27 6–7Texas Stadium Recap 15December 8, 1997 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 Cowboys 0 17 17 3 Steelers 0 0 0 7 August 31 Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1:00 p.m. EST 65 F; wind 4 mph on Jerry Markbreit Pat Summerall (play by play), John Madden (color commentator), Pam Oliver (sideline reporter) FOX yes Q2 DAL Miller 12 yard pass from Aikman (Cunningham kick) DAL 7–0 Q2 DAL Irvin 42 yard pass from Aikman (Cunningham kick) DAL 14–0 Q2 DAL Cunningham 52 yard field goal DAL 17–0 Q3 DAL Irvin 15 yard pass from Aikman (Cunningham kick) DAL 24–0 Q3 DAL Cunningham 24 yard field goal DAL 27–0 Q3 DAL Johnston 13 yard pass from Aikman (Cunningham kick) DAL 34–0 Q4 DAL Cunningham 28 yard field goal DAL 37–0 Q4 PIT Bruener 4 yard pass from Stewart (Johnson kick) DAL 37–7 yes 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 0-312-11435-4 Total Football 0-06-270170-3 Cowboys Have Always Been My Heroes 0-446-51950-2 References External links https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/dal/1997.htm 1997 Dallas Cowboys Statistics & Players Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro Football Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys Official Site Category:Dallas Cowboys seasons Dallas Dallas