1997 Chicago Bears season

NFL team season

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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. It was the team's first 4-win season since they posted a 4–10 record in 1975. The team allowed a franchise-record 421 points in 1997.^[1]

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1997 Chicago Bears draft
2	38	John Allred	Tight end	USC
3	69	Bob Sapp	Guard	Washington
4	105	Darnell Autry	Running back	Northwestern
4	108	Marcus Robinson	Wide receiver	South Carolina
5	141	Van Hiles	Defensive back	Kentucky
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
Made roster

^[2]

Staff

**1997 Chicago Bears staff**
	Front office 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 coaches Head coach – Dave Wannstedt Assistant head coach – Tony Wise Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Matt Cavanaugh Running backs – Willie Peete Wide receivers – Ivan Fears Tight ends – Ted Plumb Offensive line – Tony Wise			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Bob Slowik Defensive line – Clarence Brooks Defensive backs – Carlos Mainord Defensive assistant – Greg Schiano Special teams coaches Special teams – Keith Armstrong Strength and conditioning Physical development coordinator – Russ Riederer Assistant physical development coordinator – Steve Little

^[3]

Roster

**1997 Chicago Bears roster**

	Quarterbacks 12 Erik Kramer 13 Rick Mirer 18 Steve Stenstrom Running backs 20 James Allen 21 Darnell Autry 30 Tony Carter FB 38 Mike Dulaney FB 22 Ronnie Harmon 44 Michael Hicks Wide receivers 82 Fabien Bownes KR 80 Curtis Conway 81 Bobby Engram 86 Chris Penn 87 Ricky Proehl PR 83 Eric Smith KR Tight ends 49 Tremayne Allen 84 John Allred 89 Ryan Wetnight		Offensive linemen 63 Todd Burger G 62 Chris Gray 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 T Defensive linemen 99 Jim Flanigan DT 93 Paul Grasmanis DT 68 Carl Reeves DE 98 Carl Simpson DT 90 Alonzo Spellman DE 95 Mark Thomas DE 96 Tyrone Williams DT		Linebackers 59 Daryl Carter OLB 52 Bryan Cox MLB 54 Ron Cox OLB 55 Sean Harris OLB 53 Michael Lowery OLB 92 Barry Minter OLB 57 Tony Peterson MLB Defensive backs 23 Marty Carter SS 25 Tom Carter CB 24 Terry Cousin CB 46 Marlon Forbes S 27 Walt Harris CB 48 Van Hiles S 35 Clyde Johnson CB 26 John Mangum FS 45 Tony Stargell CB Special teams 33 Tyrone Hughes KR/PR 1 Jeff Jaeger K 88 Harper LeBel LS 16 Todd Sauerbrun P		Reserve lists 32 Ricky Bell CB (NF-Inj.Tooltip Non-football injury and illness) 29 Raymont Harris RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 94 Rich Hogans LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 75 Todd Perry G (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 19 Marcus Robinson WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 31 Rashaan Salaam RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve) 91 John Thierry DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve) Practice squad -- Mark Lee DE 15 Chris Miller WR 73 Emmett Zitelli C 53 active, 7 inactive, 3 practice squad Rookies in italics

^[4]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 1	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	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

NFC Central
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
⁽²⁾ Green Bay Packers	13	3	0	.813	422	282	W5
⁽⁴⁾ Tampa Bay Buccaneers	10	6	0	.625	299	263	W1
⁽⁵⁾ Detroit Lions	9	7	0	.563	379	306	W2
⁽⁶⁾ Minnesota Vikings	9	7	0	.563	354	359	W1
Chicago Bears	4	12	0	.250	263	421	L1

Game summaries

Week 1: at Green Bay Packers

Week One: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	11	0	13	24
Packers	3	15	6	14	38

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Date: September 1
Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 60,766
TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann
Box score

Game information

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

Week Two: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	0	10	14	27
Bears	0	10	7	7	24

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: September 7
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 59,263
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

Week Three: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	3	10	10	9	32
Bears	7	0	0	0	7

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: September 14
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 59,147
TV: Fox
Box score

Week 4: at New England Patriots

Week Four: Chicago Bears at New England Patriots – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	3	0	3
Patriots	7	7	0	17	31

at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Date: September 21
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C)
Game attendance: 59,873
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

Week Five: Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	3	0	0	0	3
Cowboys	0	7	17	3	27

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Date: September 28
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 64,082
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

Week Six: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	3	10	7	20
Bears	3	0	0	14	17

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: October 5
Game time: 7:15 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
Game attendance: 58,865
TV announcers (TNT): Verne Lundquist, Mark May and Bryan Burwell
Box score

Game information

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

Week Seven: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	14	7	3	24
Bears	10	0	7	6	23

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: October 12
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
Game attendance: 62,212
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

Week Nine: Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Bears	7	8	3	15	3	36
Dolphins	7	6	6	14	0	33

at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Date: October 27
Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST/9:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
Game attendance: 73,156
TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann
Box score

Game information

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

Week Ten: Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	14	10	7	0	31
Bears	0	0	0	8	8

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: November 2
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
Game attendance: 53,052
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

Week Eleven: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	3	9	3	22
Vikings	7	14	0	8	29

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: November 9
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (played indoors)
Game attendance: 63,443
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

Week Twelve: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	10	13	0	0	23
Bears	0	0	7	8	15

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: November 16
Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 25 °F (−4 °C)
Game attendance: 45,642
TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Randy Cross
Box score

Game information

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

Week Thirteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	0	0	7	0	7
Bears	10	3	0	0	13

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: November 23
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 27 °F (−3 °C)
Game attendance: 43,955
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	14	6	0	0	20
Lions	3	14	17	21	55

at Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan

Date: November 27
Game time: 11:30 a.m. CST/12:30 p.m. EST
Game weather: None (played indoors)
Game attendance: 77,904
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

Week Fifteen: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	3	0	0	3
Bears	0	17	0	3	20

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Date: December 7
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 31 °F (−1 °C)
Game attendance: 39,784
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Jim Mora
Box score

Game information

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

Week Sixteen: Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	0	6	13
Rams	7	0	0	3	10

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Date: December 14
Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST
Game weather: None (played indoors)
Game attendance: 66,030
TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Roy Firestone and Ron Jaworski
Box score

Game information

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

Week Seventeen: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	0	8	15
Buccaneers	14	7	10	0	31

at Houlihan's Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida

Date: December 21
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C)
Game attendance: 70,930
TV: Fox
Box score

Game information

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

^ Mayer, Larry (November 14, 2013). "Have Bears had two 1,000-yard receivers?". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
^ "1997 Chicago Bears draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
^ "Club directory". Chicago Bears 1997 Media Guide. p. 2.
^ "1997 Chicago Bears starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2014.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to 1997 Chicago Bears season.

1997 Chicago Bears at Pro-Football-Reference.com

v t e Chicago Bears
Founded in 1919 Formerly the Decatur Staleys (1919–1920) and the Chicago Staleys (1921) Based in Chicago, Illinois Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois
Franchise	History Coaches Seasons Current season
Records	Franchise records All-time record versus NFL Team awards and honors Players Head coaches Pro Football Hall of Famers First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks
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Culture	Brian's Song 1971 2001 Brian Piccolo Award "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" "The Super Bowl Shuffle" Monsters of the Midway "Sweet Home Chicago" Bill Swerski's Superfans Chuck Swirsky Chicago Honey Bears Staley Da Bear Logos and uniforms Halas Hall A. E. Staley Jack Brickhouse George Halas Mike Ditka Roosevelt/Wabash 85386 Payton Jim Cornelison Club Dub ("Swag Surfin")
Lore	Staley Swindle 1932 Playoff Game First NFL Championship Game Sneakers Game T formation 73–0 ‘85 Bears Super Bowl XX 46 defense Asterisk Game Fog Bowl "They are who we thought they were!" Double Doink
Rivalries	Arizona Cardinals Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings New York Giants
Minor league affiliates	Newark Bears (AA, 1939–1941) Wichita Aero Commandos (1942) Akron Bears (AFL, 1946) Bloomfield Cardinals (AFL, 1947) Richmond Rebels (AFL, 1948–1950) Quad City Mohawks (MWPFL, 1970-1972)
Retired numbers	3 5 7 28 34 40 41 42 51 56 61 66 77 89
Key personnel	Principal owner: Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman: George McCaskey President/CEO: Kevin Warren General manager: Ryan Poles Head coach: Matt Eberflus
Division championships (21)	1933 1934 1937 1940 1941 1942 1943 1946 1956 1963 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1990 2001 2005 2006 2010 2018
Conference championships (4)	1956 1963 1985 2006
League championships (9)	1921 1932 1933 1940 1941 1943 1946 1963 1985 (XX)
Media	Broadcasters Radio: WMVP Personnel: Jeff Joniak (play-by-play) Tom Thayer (analyst) Jason McKie (sideline reporter) Television: WFLD (pre-season and most regular season games through Fox, official pre-game and post-game alternate) Marquee Sports Network (official post-game and in-season programming) Personnel: Lou Canellis (gameday television host, pre-season sideline reporter) Adam Amin (pre-season play-by-play) Jim Miller (pre-season analyst)
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: National Football Conference Division: North Division
Category:Chicago Bears WikiProject Chicago Bears

v t e Chicago Bears seasons
Formerly the Decatur Staleys (1920) and the Chicago Staleys (1921)
1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bold indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory Italics indicates NFL Championship (1920–69) or Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance

1997 NFL season

East	Central	West	East	Central	West
Buffalo	Baltimore	Denver	Arizona	Chicago	Atlanta
Indianapolis	Cincinnati	Kansas City	Dallas	Detroit	Carolina
Miami	Jacksonville	Oakland	NY Giants	Green Bay	New Orleans
New England	Pittsburgh	San Diego	Philadelphia	Minnesota	St. Louis
NY Jets	Tennessee	Seattle	Washington	Tampa Bay	San Francisco