1977 NFL season

American football season November 2013 March 2026 1977 1986 Jeno's Pizza - 02 - Butch Johnson.jpg The Cowboys playing against the Broncos in Super Bowl XII Dallas Cowboys September 18 – December 18, 1977 December 24, 1977 Denver Broncos Dallas Cowboys XII January 15, 1978 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana January 23, 1978 Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida The 1977 NFL season was the 58th regular season of the National Football League. The two second-season expansion franchises switched conferences, with the Seattle Seahawks moving from the NFC West to the AFC West, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers transferring from the AFC West to the NFC Central. Instead of a traditional Thanksgiving Day game hosted by the Dallas Cowboys, the league scheduled a Miami Dolphins at St. Louis Cardinals contest. This would be only the second season since 1966 that the Cowboys did not play on that holiday. It marked the last time that the Cowboys did not play on Thanksgiving. This was the last NFL regular season with 14 games and eight playoff teams. The regular season would be expanded to 16 games in 1978, with the preseason reduced from six games to four and the postseason expanded to ten teams. The 1977 season is considered the last season of the "Dead Ball Era" of professional football (1970 to 1977). The 17.2 average points scored per team per game was the lowest since 1942, and it was the only post-merger season where no player surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. For 1978, the league made significant changes to allow greater offensive production.Seasons https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/NFL/scoring.htm Pro Football Reference NFL Season By Season Scoring Summary March 29, 2018 August 4, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180804070851/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/NFL/scoring.htm live The season ended with Super Bowl XII when the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27–10. Player movement Transactions May 2, 1977: Earl Morrall, the oldest player on the 1972 Miami Dolphins championship roster announced his retirement from professional football.100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die Armando Salguero Triumph Books Chicago 2020 978-1-62937-722-3 49 Draft The 1977 NFL draft was held from May 3 to 4, 1977, at New York City's Roosevelt Hotel. With the first pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected running back Ricky Bell from the University of Southern California. New referees Tommy Bell retired after the 1976 season. His line judge, Jerry Markbreit (an NFL rookie in 1976), was named his successor. Bell worked two Super Bowls, III and VII. Markbreit would work four Super Bowls, and is (as of 2025) the only referee to achieve this. Major rule changes The head slap is outlawed.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1977/06/16/page/45/article/nfl-restricts-line-blocks-outlaws-defensive-head-slap Chicago Tribune wire services NFL restricts line blocks, outlaws defensive head slap June 16, 1977 3, sec. 4 This change is referred to as the "Deacon Jones Rule"; the Los Angeles Rams' defensive end frequently used this technique. Any shoe worn by a player with an artificial limb must have a kicking surface that conforms to that of a normal kicking shoe. Informally referred to as the "Tom Dempsey Rule". Dempsey was a record-breaking placekicker whose modified shoe (having a flattened and enlarged toe area) on his deformed kicking foot generated controversy during his career. Defenders are only permitted to make contact with receivers once. Defenders are not allowed to make contact with an opponent above the shoulders with the palms of their hands, except to ward him off the line. Offensive linemen are not allowed to thrust their hands to a defender's neck, face, or head. Wide receivers are not allowed to clip defenders. This was the first season in which time of possession was recorded. Deaths +Notable NFL deaths in 1977 Date Player Age Notes October 17 Cal Hubbard 76 Former offensive and defensive tackle for the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963. Also an umpire in the American League from 1936 until 1951, and an AL supervisor from 1952 to 1969.November 18 Davey O'Brien 60Played tailback and quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1939 to 1940. 1938 Heisman Trophy winner. Award for best college quarterback is named for him. Division races Tampa Bay and Seattle continued as "swing" teams that did not participate in regular conference play. Every other NFL team played a home-and-away series against the other members in its division, two or three interconference games, and the remainder of their 14-game schedule against other conference teams. Tampa Bay switched to the NFC and played the other 13 members of the conference, while Seattle did the same in the AFC. The teams met in Week Five, with Seattle winning 30–23. Starting in 1970, and through 2001, except for the strike-shortened 1982 season, there were three divisions (Eastern, Central and Western) in each conference. This was the final season in which the winners of each division, and a fourth "wild card" team based on the best non-division winner, qualified for the playoffs. The tiebreaker rules were changed to start with head-to-head competition, followed by division records, common opponents records, and conference play. National Football Conference Week Eastern Central Western Wild Card 1 3 teams 1–0 (Chicago, Green Bay) 1–0 Atlanta 1–0 3 teams 1–0 2 Dallas 2–0 4 teams 1–1 Atlanta"other" other teams with same W–L record 1–1 8 teams 1–1 3 Dallas 3–0 Minnesota 2–1"other" Atlanta 2–1 3 teams 2–1 4 Dallas 4–0 Minnesota 3–1 Atlanta 3–1 Washington 3–1 5 Dallas 5–0 Minnesota 4–1 Atlanta"other" 3–2 3 teams 3–2 6 Dallas 6–0 Minnesota 4–2 Atlanta"other" 4–2 Los Angeles 4–2 7 Dallas 7–0 Minnesota 5–2 Atlanta"other" 4–3 St. Louis"other" 4–3 8 Dallas 8–0 Minnesota 5–3 Los Angeles 5–3 St. Louis"other" 5–3 9 Dallas 8–1 Minnesota 6–3 Los Angeles 6–3 St. Louis"other" 6–3 10 Dallas 8–2 Minnesota 6–4 Los Angeles 7–3 St. Louis 7–3 11 Dallas 9–2 Minnesota 7–4 Los Angeles 8–3 St. Louis 7–4 12 Dallas 10–2 Minnesota 8–4 Los Angeles 8–4 St. Louis"other" 7–5 13 Dallas 11–2 Chicago"other" 8–5 Los Angeles 10–3 Washington"other" 8–5 14Dallas 12–2Minnesota"other" 9–5Los Angeles 10–4Chicago"other" 9–5 American Football Conference Week Eastern Central Western Wild Card 1 (Baltimore, Miami) 1–0 3 teams 1–0 (Denver, Oakland) 1–0 5 teams 1–0 2 (Baltimore, Miami) 2–0 (Cleveland, Houston) 2–0 (Denver, Oakland) 2–0 3 teams 2–0–0 3 (Baltimore, Miami) 3–0 Cleveland"other" 2–1 (Denver, Oakland) 3–0 2 teams 3–0 4 Baltimore 4–0 Houston 3–1 (Denver, Oakland) 4–0 2 teams 4–0 5 Baltimore 5–0 Pittsburgh"other" 3–2 Denver 5–0 Oakland"other" 4–1 6 Baltimore"other" 5–1 Pittsburgh"other" 3–2 Denver 6–0 Oakland"other" 5–1 7 Baltimore 6–1 Cleveland 5–2 Oakland"other" 6–1 Denver 6–1 8 Baltimore 7–1 Cleveland 5–3 Oakland"other" 7–1 Denver 7–1 9 Baltimore 8–1 Pittsburgh"other" 5–4 Oakland"other" 8–1 Denver 8–1 10 Baltimore 9–1 Pittsburgh"other" 6–4 Denver 9–1 Oakland 8–2 11 Baltimore"other" 9–2 Pittsburgh 7–4 Denver 10–1 Oakland 9–2 12 Baltimore"other" 9–3 Pittsburgh 8–4 Denver 11–1 Oakland 9–3 13 Baltimore"other" 9–4 Pittsburgh"other" 8–5 Denver 12–1 Oakland 10–3 14Baltimore"other" 10–4Pittsburgh 9–5Denver 12–2Oakland 11–3 Regular season Highlights of the 1977 season included: Thanksgiving: Two games were played on Thursday, November 24: The first featured Chicago at Detroit. Chicago would prevail by a 31–14 final margin In the second the Miami Dolphins visited St. Louis to play the Cardinals, defeating them by a 55–14 mark. Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese would throw for six touchdown passes,100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die Armando Salguero Triumph Books Chicago 2020 978-1-62937-722-3 44 while the Dolphins would set a franchise record for most points scored in one game with 55This would be broken when they scored 70 points against the Denver Broncos on September 24th, 2023.100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die Armando Salguero Triumph Books Chicago 2020 978-1-62937-722-3 176 Of note, the Dolphins would score eight touchdowns and accumulate 34 first downs. Final standings Tiebreakers Baltimore finished ahead of Miami in the AFC East based on better conference record (9–3 to Dolphins' 8–4). N.Y. Jets finished ahead of Buffalo in the AFC East based on better point-differential in head-to-head competition (1 point). Houston finished ahead of Cincinnati in the AFC Central based on better point-differential in head-to-head competition (2 points). Minnesota finished ahead of Chicago in the NFC Central based on better point-differential in head-to-head competition (3 points). Chicago won the NFC Wild Card over Washington based on better net points in conference games (48 to Redskins' 4). Philadelphia finished ahead of N.Y. Giants in the NFC East based on head-to-head sweep (2–0). Playoffs 1977–78 NFL playoffs Awards Most Valuable PlayerWalter Payton, running back, ChicagoCoach of the YearRed Miller, DenverOffensive Player of the YearWalter Payton, running back, ChicagoDefensive Player of the YearHarvey Martin, defensive end, DallasOffensive Rookie of the YearTony Dorsett, running back, DallasDefensive Rookie of the YearA. J. Duhe, defensive end, MiamiMan of the YearWalter Payton, running back, ChicagoComeback Player of the YearCraig Morton, quarterback, DenverSuper Bowl Most Valuable PlayerRandy White, defensive tackle, Dallas and Harvey Martin, defensive end, Dallas Coaching changes Offseason Atlanta Falcons: Leeman Bennett was named permanent head coach. Marion Campbell was fired after a 1–4 start to the 1976 season. General manager Pat Peppler served as interim for the rest of that season. Buffalo Bills: Jim Ringo was named permanent head coach. He was named interim head coach when Lou Saban resigned after the fifth game of the 1976 season. Denver Broncos: John Ralston was replaced by Red Miller. Detroit Lions: Tommy Hudspeth began his first full season as head coach. He replaced Rick Forzano, who left after the team lost three of its first four games in 1976. New York Giants: John McVay began his first season as head coach. He replaced Bill Arnsparger, who was fired after the team lost its first seven games in 1976. New York Jets: Walt Michaels became the Jets' new head coach. Lou Holtz resigned prior to the last game of the 1976 season, and Mike Holovak served as interim for the team's final game. San Francisco 49ers: Ken Meyer replaced the fired Monte Clark. In-season Cleveland Browns: Forrest Gregg was fired before the last game of the season. Defensive coordinator Dick Modzelewski served as interim during the team's final game. Kansas City Chiefs: After an 0–5 start, Paul Wiggin was fired. Defensive backs coach Tom Bettis was named interim. Uniform changes The Buffalo Bills changed from gray to blue facemasks. The Pittsburgh Steelers changed from gray to black facemasks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the color scheme of the numbers on their white jerseys. In 1976, the numbers were orange with red trim; in 1977, they became red with orange trim to increase visibility. Television This was the fourth and final year under the league's broadcast contracts with ABC, CBS, and NBC to televise Monday Night Football, the NFC package, and the AFC package, respectively. All three networks renewed their deals for another four years. Don Meredith returned to ABC after spending three seasons at NBC, while Alex Karras returned to his acting career. John Brodie was promoted to replace Meredith as NBC's lead color commentator, while Merlin Olsen replaced Brodie on the network's #2 team. NBC also renamed its pregame show, referring to it as NFL '77 to start and updating the program's title every new season.Brulia Tim 2004 A CHRONOLOGY OF PRO FOOTBALL ON TELEVISION: Part 2 http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-04-1038.pdf Pro Football Researchers August 30, 2022 October 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221024221619/http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-04-1038.pdf live Notes References NFL Record and Fact Book 1-932994-36-X 2005 86th Past Standings 435 https://web.archive.org/web/20070402171348/http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1971-1980 April 2, 2007 http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1971-1980 NFL History 1971–1980 December 4, 2005 NFL.com The Road to the Super Bowl: Super Sunday Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League 0-06-270174-6 134-135) Category:NFL seasons National Football League