1997 Chicago Bears season

NFL team season August 2023 March 2026 Chicago Bears 1997 4–12 5th NFC Central Dave Wannstedt Matt Cavanaugh Bob Slowik Virginia Halas McCaskey Soldier Field Did not qualify Bears seasons The 1997 Chicago Bears season was their 78th regular season completed in the National Football League (NFL). The team finished with a 4–12 record under head coach Dave Wannstedt and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year. It was the team's first 4-win season since they posted a 4–10 record in 1975. It was also the second time where the Bears were the only team from the NFC Central to not make the playoffs. The first time this scenario occurred was in the strike-shortened 1982 season. The Bears defense struggled mightily throughout the season, allowing a franchise-record 421 points in 1997.Mayer Larry http://www.chicagobears.com/news/chalk-talk/article-1/Have-Bears-had-two-1000-yard-receivers/e2d83627-f334-49d4-8f22-b723441dbf36 Have Bears had two 1,000-yard receivers? Chicago Bears November 14, 2013 November 14, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131115092444/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/chalk-talk/article-1/Have-Bears-had-two-1000-yard-receivers/e2d83627-f334-49d4-8f22-b723441dbf36 2013-11-15 dead Offseason Additions SubtractionsWR Ricky Proehl (Seahawks) WR Michael Timpson (Eagles)LB Ron Cox (Packers) S Mark Carrier (Lions)DE Mark Thomas (Panthers) C Rob Davis (Packers)G Chris Gray (Dolphins) DT Chris Zorich (Redskins)TE Harper LeBel (Falcons) DB Kevin Miniefield (Cardinals)T Jimmy Herndon (Jaguars) CB Donnell Woolford (Steelers)WR Chris Penn (Chiefs) G Casey Wiegmann (Jets) DB Ricky Bell (Jaguars) DB Tyrone Hughes (Saints) NFL draft 1997 NFL draft 1997 Chicago Bears 2 38 John Allred Tight end USC yes 3 69 Bob Sapp Guard Washington 4 105 Darnell Autry Running back Northwestern yes 4 108 Marcus Robinson Wide receiver South Carolina yes 5 141 Van Hiles Defensive back Kentucky yes 6 196 Shawn Swayda Defensive end Arizona State 6 200 Richard Hogans Linebacker Memphis 6 201 Ricky Parker Defensive back San Diego State 7 210 Mike Miano Defensive tackle Missouri State 7 233 Marvin Thomas Defensive end Memphis no no https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1997_draft.htm 1997 Chicago Bears draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com November 24, 2014 Staff 1997 Chicago Bears Chairman of the board – Ed McCaskey President and chief executive officer – Michael McCaskey Vice-president of operations – Ted Phillips Vice-president of player personnel – Mark Hatley Director of college scouting – Bill Rees Director of pro personnel – Rick Spielman Director of research and quality control – Eric Studesville Head coach – Dave Wannstedt Assistant head coach – Tony Wise Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Matt Cavanaugh Running backs – Willie Peete Wide receivers – Ivan Fears Tight ends – Ted Plumb Offensive line – Tony Wise Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Bob Slowik Defensive line – Clarence Brooks Defensive backs – Carlos Mainord Defensive assistant – Greg Schiano Special teams – Keith Armstrong Physical development coordinator – Russ Riederer Assistant physical development coordinator – Steve Little Chicago Bears 1997 Media Guide 2 Club directory Roster 1997 Chicago Bears 12 Erik Kramer 13 Rick Mirer 18 Steve Stenstrom 20 James Allen running back y 21 Darnell Autry y 30 Tony Carter running back FB 38 Mike Dulaney FB 22 Ronnie Harmon 44 Michael Hicks American football 82 Fabien Bownes KR 80 Curtis Conway 81 Bobby Engram 86 Chris Penn American football 87 Ricky Proehl PR 83 Eric Smith wide receiver KR 49 Tremayne Allen y 84 John Allred American football y 89 Ryan Wetnight 63 Todd Burger G 62 Chris Gray American football G 64 Andy Heck T 74 Jimmy Herndon T 67 Greg Huntington G 58 Chris Villarrial C/G 60 Casey Wiegmann C 71 James Williams lineman T 99 Jim Flanigan DT 93 Paul Grasmanis DT 68 Carl Reeves DE 98 Carl Simpson DT 90 Alonzo Spellman DE 95 Mark Thomas defensive end DE 96 Tyrone Williams defensive tackle DT 59 Daryl Carter y OLB 52 Bryan Cox MLB 54 Ron Cox American football OLB 55 Sean Harris American football OLB 53 Michael Lowery OLB 92 Barry Minter OLB 57 Tony Peterson MLB 23 Marty Carter SS 25 Tom Carter American football CB 24 Terry Cousin y CB 46 Marlon Forbes SS 27 Walt Harris cornerback CB 48 Van Hiles y FS 35 Clyde Johnson cornerback CB 26 John Mangum defensive back FS 45 Tony Stargell CB 33 Tyrone Hughes KR/PR  1 Jeff Jaeger K 88 Harper LeBel LS 16 Todd Sauerbrun P 32 Ricky Bell cornerback CB NF-Inj. 29 Raymont Harris RB IR 94 Rich Hogans y LB IR 75 Todd Perry American football G IR 19 Marcus Robinson American football y WR IR 31 Rashaan Salaam RB IR 91 John Thierry DE IR 53 active, 7 inactive, 3 practice squad 97 Mark Lee defensive lineman y DE 15 Chris Miller wide receiver y WR 73 Emmett Zitelli y C https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1997_roster.htm 1997 Chicago Bears starters and roster Pro-Football-Reference.com November 26, 2014 Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 1, 1997 at Green Bay Packers L 24–38 0–1 Lambeau Field 60,766 2 September 7 Minnesota Vikings L 24–27 0–2 Soldier Field 59,263 3 September 14 Detroit Lions L 7–32 0–3 Soldier Field 59,147 4 September 21 at New England Patriots L 3–31 0–4 Foxboro Stadium 59,873 5 September 28 at Dallas Cowboys L 3–27 0–5 Texas Stadium 64,082 6 October 5 New Orleans Saints L 17–20 0–6 Soldier Field 58,865 7 October 12 Green Bay Packers L 23–24 0–7 Soldier Field 62,212 8 Bye 9 October 27, 1997 at Miami Dolphins W 36–33 (OT) 1–7 Pro Player Stadium 73,156 10 November 2 Washington Redskins L 8–31 1–8 Soldier Field 53,052 11 November 9 at Minnesota Vikings L 22–29 1–9 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,443 12 November 16 New York Jets L 15–23 1–10 Soldier Field 45,642 13 November 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 13–7 2–10 Soldier Field 43,955 14 November 27 at Detroit Lions L 20–55 2–11 Pontiac Silverdome 77,904 15 December 7 Buffalo Bills W 20–3 3–11 Soldier Field 39,784 16 December 14 at St. Louis Rams W 13–10 4–11 Trans World Dome 66,030 17 December 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 15–31 4–12 Houlihan's Stadium 70,930 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Standings Game summaries Week 1: at Green Bay Packers Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week One: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary September 1, 1997 7:00 p.m. CDT Bears 0 11 0 13 Packers 3 15 6 14 Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin 60,766 69 F C ABC Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann Box score First quarter GB – Ryan Longwell 38-yard field goal. Packers 3–0. Second quarter CHI – Raymont Harris 1-yard run (Todd Sauerbrun pass to Jim Flanigan). Bears 8–3. GB – Jeff Thomason 1-yard pass from Brett Favre (Brett Favre pass to Dorsey Levens). Packers 11–8. CHI – Jeff Jaeger 42-yard field goal. Tied 11–11. GB – Robert Brooks 18-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick). Packers 18–11. Third quarter GB – Ryan Longwell 36-yard field goal. Packers 21–11. GB – Ryan Longwell 29-yard field goal. Packers 24–11. Fourth quarter GB – Dorsey Levens 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick). Packers 31–11. CHI – Ricky Proehl 22-yard pass from Erik Kramer (pass failed). Packers 31–17. GB – Gabe Wilkins 1-yard fumble return (Ryan Longwell kick). Packers 38–17. CHI – Raymond Harris 68-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Packers 38–24. Top passers CHI – Erik Kramer – 17/41, 192 yards, TD, 2 INT GB – Brett Favre – 15/22, 226 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers CHI – Raymont Harris – 13 rushes, 122 yards, 2 TD GB – Dorsey Levens – 22 rushes, 80 yards, TD Top receivers CHI – Raymont Harris – 4 receptions, 36 yards GB – Robert Brooks – 3 receptions, 71 yards, TD Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Two: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary September 7 12:00 p.m. CDT Vikings 3 0 10 14 Bears 0 10 7 7 Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 59,263 69 F C Fox Box score First quarter MIN – Greg Davis 33-yard field goal. Vikings 3–0. Second quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 39-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. CHI – Ricky Proehl 25-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 10–3. Third quarter MIN – Greg Davis 28-yard field goal. Bears 10–6. MIN – Orlando Thomas 22-yard fumble return (Greg Davis kick). Vikings 13–10. CHI – Bobby Engram 10-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 17–13. Fourth quarter MIN – Jake Reed 21-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Greg Davis kick). Vikings 20–17. CHI – Raymont Harris 59-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 24–20. MIN – Chris Walsh 9-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Greg Davis kick). Vikings 27–24. Top passers MIN – Brad Johnson – 33/44, 285 yards, 2 TD, INT CHI – Erik Kramer – 21/36, 174 yards, 2 TD Top rushers MIN – Robert Smith – 13 rushes, 85 yards CHI – Raymont Harris – 8 rushes, 77 yards, TD Top receivers MIN – Jake Reed – 12 receptions, 118 yards, TD CHI – Bobby Engram – 6 receptions, 63 yards, TD Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Three: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary September 14 12:00 p.m. CDT Lions 3 10 10 9 Bears 7 0 0 0 Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 59,147 69 F C Fox Box score Week 4: at New England Patriots Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Four: Chicago Bears at New England Patriots – Game summary September 21 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT Bears 0 0 3 0 Patriots 7 7 0 17 Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts 59,873 56 F C Fox Box score First quarter NE – Vincent Brisby 7-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 7–0. Second quarter NE – Troy Brown 52-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 14–0. Third quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 38-yard field goal. Patriots 14–3. Fourth quarter NE – Adam Vinatieri 27-yard field goal. Patriots 17–3. NE – Curtis Martin 70-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 24–3. NE – Lovett Purnell 20-yard pass from Scott Zolak (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 31–3. Top passers CHI – Rick Mirer – 17/25, 154 yards, 2 INT NE – Drew Bledsoe – 24/37, 301 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers CHI – Raymont Harris – 21 rushes, 63 yards NE – Curtis Martin – 14 rushes, 79 yards, TD Top receivers CHI – Bobby Engram – 5 receptions, 47 yards NE – Troy Brown – 6 receptions, 124 yards, TD Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Five: Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary September 28 3:00 p.m. CDT Bears 3 0 0 0 Cowboys 0 7 17 3 Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas 64,082 78 F C Fox Box score First quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 21-yard field goal. Bears 3–0. Second quarter DAL – Anthony Miller 6-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 7–3. Third quarter DAL – Richie Cunningham 33-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–3. DAL – Michael Irvin 26-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 17–3. DAL – Deion Sanders 83-yard punt return (Richie Cunningham kick). Cowboys 24–3. Fourth quarter DAL – Richie Cunningham 23-yard field goal. Cowboys 27–3. Top passers CHI – Rick Mirer – 11/21, 62 yards, INT DAL – Troy Aikman – 12/27, 144 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers CHI – Raymont Harris – 29 rushes, 120 yards DAL – Emmitt Smith – 13 rushes, 43 yards Top receivers CHI – Ricky Proehl – 4 receptions, 33 yards DAL – Michael Irvin – 6 receptions, 105 yards, TD Week 6: vs. New Orleans Saints Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Six: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – Game summary October 5 7:15 p.m. CDT Saints 0 3 10 7 Bears 3 0 0 14 Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 58,865 68 F C TNT Verne Lundquist, Mark May and Bryan Burwell Box score First quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 23-yard field goal. Bears 3–0. Second quarter NO – Doug Brien 38-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Third quarter NO – Mario Bates 49-yard run (Doug Brien kick). Saints 10–3. NO – Doug Brien 48-yard field goal. Saints 13–3. Fourth quarter CHI – Erik Kramer 1-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Saints 13–10. CHI – Raymont Harris 1-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 17–13. NO – Randal Hill 89-yard pass from Heath Shuler (Doug Brien kick). Saints 20–17. Top passers NO – Heath Shuler – 9/23, 195 yards, TD, INT CHI – Erik Kramer – 12/20, 131 yards Top rushers NO – Mario Bates – 9 rushes, 58 yards, TD CHI – Raymont Harris – 28 rushes, 82 yards, TD Top receivers NO – Randal Hill – 5 receptions, 121 yards, TD CHI – Bobby Engram – 6 receptions, 59 yards Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Seven: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary October 12 12:00 p.m. CDT Packers 0 14 7 3 Bears 10 0 7 6 Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 62,212 68 F C Fox Box score First quarter CHI – Raymont Harris 1-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 7–0. CHI – Jeff Jaeger 41-yard field goal. Bears 10–0. Second quarter GB – Mark Chmura 2-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick). Bears 10–7. GB – Dorsey Levens 1-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick). Packers 14–10. Third quarter CHI – Erik Kramer 3-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 17–14. GB – Mark Chmura 12-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick). Packers 21–17. Fourth quarter GB – Ryan Longwell 37-yard field goal. Packers 24–17. CHI – Chris Penn 22-yard pass from Erik Kramer (pass failed). Packers 24–23. Top passers GB – Brett Favre – 19/35, 177 yards, 3 TD, INT CHI – Erik Kramer – 22/35, 232 yards, TD Top rushers GB – Dorsey Levens – 12 rushes, 74 yards CHI – Raymont Harris – 27 rushes, 101 yards, TD Top receivers GB – Antonio Freeman – 7 receptions, 86 yards CHI – Curtis Conway – 5 receptions, 77 yards Week 9: at Miami Dolphins Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Nine: Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins – Game summary October 27, 1997 8:00 p.m. CST/9:00 p.m. EST Bears 7 8 3 15 3 Dolphins 7 6 6 14 0 Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida 73,156 82 F C ABC Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann Box score First quarter CHI – Raymont Harris 1-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 7–0. MIA – Jerris McPhail 71-yard run (Olindo Mare kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 39-yard field goal. Bears 10–7. CHI – Dan Marino sacked in end zone. Bears 12–7. CHI – Jeff Jaeger 23-yard field goal. Bears 15–7. MIA – Jerris McPhail 10-yard pass from Dan Marino (pass failed). Bears 15–13. Third quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 47-yard field goal. Bears 18–13. MIA – Terrell Buckley 22-yard fumble return (pass failed). Dolphins 19–18. Fourth quarter MIA – Troy Drayton 22-yard pass from Dan Marino (Olindo Mare kick). Dolphins 26–18. MIA – Karim Abdul-Jabbar 2-yard run (Olindo Mare kick). Dolphins 33–18. CHI – Bobby Engram 8-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Dolphins 33–25. CHI – Chris Penn 25-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Erik Kramer pass to Bobby Engram). Tied 33–33. Overtime CHI – Jeff Jaeger 35-yard field goal. Bears 36–33. Top passers CHI – Erik Kramer – 32/50, 343 yards, 2 TD MIA – Dan Marino – 18/39, 274 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers CHI – Raymont Harris – 25 rushes, 106 yards, TD MIA – Jerris McPhail – 2 rushes, 77 yards, TD Top receivers CHI – Curtis Conway – 6 receptions, 100 yards MIA – O. J. McDuffie – 7 receptions, 137 yards Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Ten: Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears – Game summary November 2 12:00 p.m. CST Redskins 14 10 7 0 Bears 0 0 0 8 Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 53,052 42 F C Fox Box score First quarter WAS – James Jenkins 9-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 7–0. WAS – Larry Bowie 5-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 14–0. Second quarter WAS – Gus Frerotte 1-yard run (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 21–0. WAS – Scott Blanton 38-yard field goal. Redskins 24–0. Third quarter WAS – Leslie Shepherd 39-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick). Redskins 31–0. Fourth quarter CHI – Ricky Proehl 2-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Erik Kramer pass to Ricky Proehl). Redskins 31–8. Top passers WAS – Gus Frerotte – 14/20, 192 yards, 2 TD CHI – Erik Kramer – 21/37, 237 yards, TD, INT Top rushers WAS – Terry Allen – 20 rushes, 125 yards CHI – Raymont Harris – 13 rushes, 43 yards Top receivers WAS – Leslie Shepherd – 3 receptions, 68 yards, TD CHI – Curtis Conway – 3 receptions, 57 yards Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Eleven: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary November 9 12:00 p.m. CST Bears 7 3 9 3 Vikings 7 14 0 8 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota 63,443 None (played indoors) Fox Box score First quarter MIN – David Palmer 8-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Vikings 7–0. CHI – Raymont Harris 1-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter MIN – David Palmer 7-yard pass from Brad Johnson (Eddie Murray kick). Vikings 14–7. CHI – Jeff Jaeger 29-yard field goal. Vikings 14–10. MIN – Chuck Evans 3-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Vikings 21–10. Third quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 22-yard field goal. Vikings 21–13. CHI – Ricky Proehl 59-yard pass from Erik Kramer (pass failed). Vikings 21–19. Fourth quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 36-yard field goal. Bears 22–21. MIN – Leroy Hoard 1-yard run (Brad Johnson pass to Cris Carter). Vikings 29–22. Top passers CHI – Erik Kramer – 23/35, 256 yards, TD, INT MIN – Brad Johnson – 22/33, 203 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers CHI – Darnell Autry – 13 rushes, 59 yards MIN – Chuck Evans – 8 rushes, 50 yards, TD Top receivers CHI – Ricky Proehl – 9 receptions, 132 yards, TD MIN – Cris Carter – 8 receptions, 69 yards Week 12: vs. New York Jets Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Twelve: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary November 16 3:00 p.m. CST Jets 10 13 0 0 Bears 0 0 7 8 Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 45,642 25 F C NBC Tom Hammond and Randy Cross Box score First quarter NYJ – John Hall 34-yard field goal. Jets 3–0. NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson 35-yard pass from Glenn Foley (John Hall kick). Jets 10–0. Second quarter NYJ – John Hall 36-yard field goal. Jets 13–0. NYJ – John Hall 34-yard field goal. Jets 16–0. NYJ – Otis Smith 38-yard interception return (John Hall kick). Jets 23–0. Third quarter CHI – Chris Penn 4-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Jets 23–7. Fourth quarter CHI – Ricky Proehl 5-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Darnell Autry run). Jets 23–15. Top passers NYJ – Glenn Foley – 8/13, 111 yards, TD CHI – Erik Kramer – 32/60, 354 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT Top rushers NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 21 rushes, 60 yards CHI – Darnell Autry – 19 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson – 1 reception, 35 yards, TD CHI – Ricky Proehl – 11 receptions, 118 yards, TD Week 13: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Thirteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – Game summary November 23 12:00 p.m. CST Buccaneers 0 0 7 0 Bears 10 3 0 0 Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 43,955 27 F C Fox Box score First quarter CHI – Raymont Harris 2-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 7–0. CHI – Jeff Jaeger 32-yard field goal. Bears 10–0. Second quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 25-yard field goal. Bears 13–0. Third quarter TB – Reidel Anthony 12-yard pass from Trent Dilfer (Michael Husted kick). Bears 13–7. Fourth quarter No scoring plays Top passers TB – Trent Dilfer – 19/33, 247 yards, TD CHI – Erik Kramer – 15/28, 110 yards Top rushers TB – Mike Alstott – 7 rushes, 18 yards CHI – Raymont Harris – 33 rushes, 116 yards, TD Top receivers TB – Reidel Anthony – 4 receptions, 59 yards, TD CHI – Chris Penn – 6 receptions, 53 yards Week 14: at Detroit Lions Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary November 27, 1997 11:30 a.m. CST/12:30 p.m. EST Bears 14 6 0 0 Lions 3 14 17 21 Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan 77,904 None (played indoors) Fox Box score First quarter CHI – Raymont Harris 2-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 7–0. CHI – Ricky Proehl 78-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 14–0. DET – Jason Hanson 40-yard field goal. Bears 14–3. Second quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 52-yard field goal. Bears 17–3. DET – Herman Moore 8-yard pass from Scott Mitchell (Jason Hanson kick). Bears 17–10. CHI – Jeff Jaeger 32-yard field goal. Bears 20–10. DET – Barry Sanders 40-yard run (Jason Hanson kick). Bears 20–17. Third quarter DET – Jason Hanson 29-yard field goal. Tied 20–20. DET – Johnnie Morton 50-yard pass from Scott Mitchell (Jason Hanson kick). Lions 27–20. DET – Barry Sanders 25-yard run (Jason Hanson kick). Lions 34–20. Fourth quarter DET – Barry Sanders 15-yard run (Jason Hanson kick). Lions 41–20. DET – Ron Rivers 13-yard run (Jason Hanson kick). Lions 48–20. DET – Tracy Scroggins 17-yard fumble return (Jason Hanson kick). Lions 55–20. Top passers CHI – Erik Kramer – 13/26, 259 yards, TD DET – Scott Mitchell – 20/31, 282 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers CHI – Raymont Harris – 19 rushes, 49 yards, TD DET – Barry Sanders – 19 rushes, 167 yards, 3 TD Top receivers CHI – Ricky Proehl – 4 receptions, 164 yards, TD DET – Johnnie Morton – 7 receptions, 120 yards, TD Week 15: vs. Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Fifteen: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears – Game summary December 7 12:00 p.m. CST Bills 0 3 0 0 Bears 0 17 0 3 Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 39,784 31 F C NBC Don Criqui and Jim Mora Box score First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 41-yard field goal. Bears 3–0. CHI – Ryan Wetnight 30-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 10–0. CHI – Ricky Proehl 3-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Bears 17–0. BUF – Steve Christie 43-yard field goal. Bears 17–3. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter CHI – Jeff Jaeger 38-yard field goal. Bears 20–3. Top passers BUF – Todd Collins – 13/32, 138 yards CHI – Erik Kramer – 23/33, 270 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers BUF – Thurman Thomas – 7 rushes, 22 yards CHI – Raymont Harris – 24 rushes, 59 yards Top receivers BUF – Darick Holmes – 3 receptions, 41 yards CHI – Curtis Conway – 7 receptions, 115 yards Week 16: at St. Louis Rams Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Sixteen: Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams – Game summary December 14 7:15 p.m. CST Bears 0 7 0 6 Rams 7 0 0 3 Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri 66,030 None (played indoors) ESPN Mike Patrick, Roy Firestone and Ron Jaworski Box score First quarter STL – Jerald Moore 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). Rams 7–0. Second quarter CHI – Curtis Conway 55-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Jeff Jaeger kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter STL – Jeff Wilkins 26-yard field goal. Rams 10–7. CHI – Jeff Jaeger 27-yard field goal. Tied 10–10. CHI – Jeff Jaeger 21-yard field goal. Bears 13–10. Top passers CHI – Erik Kramer – 14/22, 186 yards, TD, INT STL – Tony Banks – 13/28, 147 yards, 3 INT Top rushers CHI – Darnell Autry – 26 rushes, 62 yards STL – Jerald Moore – 13 rushes, 35 yards, TD Top receivers CHI – Curtis Conway – 7 receptions, 109 yards, TD STL – Isaac Bruce – 3 receptions, 46 yards Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chicago Bears 1997 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week Seventeen: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary December 21 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST Bears 0 7 0 8 Buccaneers 14 7 10 0 Houlihan's Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida 70,930 65 F C Fox Box score First quarter TB – Trent Dilfer 7-yard run (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 7–0. TB – Karl Williams 61-yard punt return (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 14–0. Second quarter CHI – Darnell Autry 3-yard run (Jeff Jaeger kick). Buccaneers 14–7. TB – Karl Williams 7-yard pass from Trent Dilfer (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 21–7. Third quarter TB – Michael Husted 20-yard field goal. Buccaneers 24–7. TB – Errict Rhett 5-yard run (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 31–7. Fourth quarter CHI – Rick Mirer 1-yard run (Rick Mirer run). Buccaneers 31–15. Top passers CHI – Erik Kramer – 12/19, 89 yards, INT TB – Trent Dilfer – 10/18, 94 yards, TD Top rushers CHI – Darnell Autry – 16 rushes, 45 yards, TD TB – Warrick Dunn – 16 rushes, 119 yards Top receivers CHI – Ricky Proehl – 4 receptions, 41 yards TB – Karl Williams – 4 receptions, 47 yards, TD References External links 1997 Chicago Bears at Pro-Football-Reference.com Chicago Bears Category:Chicago Bears seasons Bear Category:1997 in Chicago