The 1997 NFL season was the 78th regular season of the National Football League. The Oilers relocated from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee. The newly-renamed Tennessee Oilers played their home games during this season at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee while a new stadium in Nashville began construction. The regular season is a term used, primarily, in North American sports. ... The National Football League (NFL) is the largest professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ... City Nashville, Tennessee Team colors Navy, Titans Blue, White, and Red Head Coach Jeff Fisher Owner Bud Adams General manager Floyd Reese Mascot T-Rac League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC Central (1970... Nickname: Bayou City Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Harris County Fort Bend County Montgomery County Mayor Bill White Area    - City 1,558 km²  (601. ... Nickname: Music City Location in Davidson County and the state of Tennessee Coordinates: Country United States State Tennessee Counties Davidson County Founded: 1779 Incorporated: 1806 Mayor Bill Purcell (D) Area    - City 526. ... The Tennessee Titans are a National Football League team based in Nashville, Tennessee. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The River City, The Bluff City, M-Town Location Location in Shelby County and the state of Tennessee Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Tennessee Shelby County Mayor W. W. Herenton (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 294. ...

This was the last season that both NBC and the TNT network held rights to broadcast NFL games. When the TV contracts were renewed near the end of the season, CBS took over the American Football Conference package and ESPN won the right to televise all of the Sunday night games. NBC (an abbreviation for National Broadcasting Company, its former corporate name) is an American television network based in New York Citys Rockefeller Center and is shown on basic cable in Canada. ... Turner Network Television, usually referred to as TNT, is a cable TV network created by media mogul Ted Turner and launched with a showing of his favorite film, Gone with the Wind, on October 3, 1988. ... The American Football Conference (AFC) is one of the two conferences of the National Football League (NFL). ... ESPN (formerly an acronym for the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ...

Due to Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, the Chicago Bears - Miami Dolphins game at Pro Player Stadium was moved back one day to Monday, October 27. The 1997 World Series was widely regarded as one of the most exciting Series in recent memory. ... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue, Orange and White Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National... City Miami Gardens, Florida Other nicknames The Fins Team colors Aqua Green, Coral Orange, Navy Blue, and White Head Coach Nick Saban Owner Wayne Huizenga General manager Randy Mueller Mascot T. D. League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1966-1969) Eastern Division (1966-1969) National Football League (1970–present) The... Dolphins Stadium (originally named such, later named Joe Robbie Stadium and then Pro Player Stadium, and now back to Dolphins Stadium) is an American football and baseball stadium in Miami, Florida. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ...

The season ended with Super Bowl XXXII when the Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers. Date January 25, 1998 Stadium Qualcomm Stadium City San Diego MVP Terrell Davis, Running back Favorite Packers by 11 1/2 National anthem Jewel Coin toss Joe Gibbs, Doug Williams, Eddie Robinson Referee Ed Hochuli Halftime show Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Tops Attendance 68... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... City Green Bay, Wisconsin Team colors Dark Green, Gold, and White Head Coach Mike McCarthy Owner 111,967 stockholders Chairman Bob Harlan General manager Ted Thompson Fight song Go! You Packers! Go! League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919-1920) National Football League (1921–present) Western Division (1933-1949) National Conference (1950...

Major rule changes

• When a team fakes a punt and throws the ball downfield, pass interference will not be called on the two outside defenders who are actually trying to block a coverage man from getting downfield and might not even know the ball has been thrown.
• In order to reduce taunting and excessive celebrations, no player may remove his helmet while on the playing field except during timeouts and between quarters. This is known as the "Emmitt Smith rule" after the Dallas Cowboys' Running Back's habit of taking his helmet off every time he scored a touchdown.

Emmitt James Smith III (born May 15, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida) is a former American football player, spending most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys. ... City Irving, Texas Other nicknames The Boys, Americas Team, Team of the 90s Team colors Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Silver-Green, Silver, and White Head Coach Bill Parcells Owner Jerry Jones General manager Jerry Jones Mascot Rowdy [1] League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1960–present) Western Conference... High school running back A running back, halfback or tailback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ...

Final standings

W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against

The AFC East refers to the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference of the National Football League. ... City Foxboro, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC... City Miami Gardens, Florida Other nicknames The Fins Team colors Aqua Green, Coral Orange, Navy Blue, and White Head Coach Nick Saban Owner Wayne Huizenga General manager Randy Mueller Mascot T. D. League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1966-1969) Eastern Division (1966-1969) National Football League (1970–present) The... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Gang Green Team colors Green and White Head Coach Eric Mangini Owner Robert Wood Johnson IV General manager Mike Tannenbaum League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC... City Orchard Park, New York Team colors Dark Navy, Red, Royal, Nickel, and White Head Coach Dick Jauron Owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... The AFC Central was a division of the National Football Leagues American Football Conference from 1970 to 2001. ... City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team colors Black and Gold Head Coach Bill Cowher Owner Dan Rooney General manager Kevin Colbert League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1933–present) Eastern Division (1933-1943; 1945-1949) Western Division (1944) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Century Division (1967-1969) American Football... City Jacksonville, Florida Other nicknames The Jags Team colors Teal, Black, and Gold Head Coach Jack Del Rio Owner Wayne Weaver General manager James Harris Mascot Jaxson de Ville League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1995–present) American Football Conference (1995-present) AFC Central (1995-2001) AFC South (2002-present... City Nashville, Tennessee Team colors Navy, Titans Blue, White, and Red Head Coach Jeff Fisher Owner Bud Adams General manager Floyd Reese Mascot T-Rac League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Eastern Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC Central (1970... City Cincinnati, Ohio Team colors Black, Orange and White Head Coach Marvin Lewis Owner Mike Brown Mascot Who Dey League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1968-1969) Western Division (1968-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC Central (1970-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team... City Baltimore, Maryland Team colors Purple, Black, and Gold Head Coach Brian Billick Owner Steve Bisciotti General manager Ozzie Newsome Mascot Edgar, Allan, and Poe League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1996–present) American Football Conference (1996-present) AFC Central (1996-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team history Baltimore Ravens... The AFC West is a division of the National Football Leagues American Football Conference. ... City Kansas City, Missouri Team colors Red, Yellow, and White Head Coach Herman Edwards Owner Lamar Hunt General manager Carl Peterson Mascot K.C. Wolf (1989-present) Warpaint (1963-1988) League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... City Seattle, Washington Team colors Pacific Blue, Navy Blue, Neon Green, White Head Coach Mike Holmgren Owner Paul Allen General manager Tim Ruskell Mascot Blitz, and Taima the augur hawk League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1977-2001) AFC West (1977-2001) National Football Conference... City Oakland, California Team colors Silver and Black Head Coach Art Shell Owner Al Davis General manager Michael Lombardi League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960-1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970-present) AFC West (1970-present) Team history Oakland Raiders (1960... City San Diego, California Other nicknames Bolts, Super Chargers Team colors Navy Blue, White, and Gold Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer Owner Alex Spanos George Pernicano (Minority owner (3%)) General manager A.J. Smith Fight song San Diego Super Chargers League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960-1969) Western Division (1960... The NFC East refers to the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... City East Rutherford, New Jersey Other nicknames Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants Team colors Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White Head Coach Tom Coughlin Owner The Mara and Tisch Families General manager Ernie Accorsi League/Conference affiliations National Football League... City Landover, Maryland Other nicknames The Skins Team colors Burgundy and Gold Head Coach Joe Gibbs Owner Daniel Snyder General manager Vinny Cerrato Fight song Hail to the Redskins League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1932–present) Eastern Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Capitol... City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Team colors Midnight Green, Black, White, and Silver Head Coach Andy Reid Owner Jeffrey Lurie General manager Tom Heckert Fight song Fly, Eagles Fly Mascot Swoop League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1933–present) Eastern Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Capitol... City Irving, Texas Other nicknames The Boys, Americas Team, Team of the 90s Team colors Royal Blue, Navy Blue, Silver-Green, Silver, and White Head Coach Bill Parcells Owner Jerry Jones General manager Jerry Jones Mascot Rowdy [1] League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1960–present) Western Conference... City Glendale, Arizona Other nicknames The Cards, Big Red Team colors Cardinal Red, Black, and White Head Coach Dennis Green Owner Bidwill Family General manager Rod Graves Mascot Big Red League/Conference affiliations Independent (1898-1919) National Football League (1920–present) Western Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern... The NFC Central refers to the Central Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... City Green Bay, Wisconsin Team colors Dark Green, Gold, and White Head Coach Mike McCarthy Owner 111,967 stockholders Chairman Bob Harlan General manager Ted Thompson Fight song Go! You Packers! Go! League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919-1920) National Football League (1921–present) Western Division (1933-1949) National Conference (1950... City Tampa, Florida Other nicknames The Bucs, Pewter Pirates Team colors Buccaneer Red, Pewter, Black, and Orange Head Coach Jon Gruden Owner Malcolm Glazer General manager Bruce Allen Mascot Captain Fear League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1976) AFC West (1976) National Football Conference (1977... City Detroit, Michigan Team colors Honolulu Blue, Silver, and Black Head Coach Rod Marinelli Owner William Clay Ford, Sr. ... City Minneapolis, Minnesota Other nicknames The Vikes, The Purple People Eaters Team colors Purple, Gold, and White Head Coach Brad Childress Owner Zygi Wilf General manager Rob Brzezinski Mascot Ragnar League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1961–present) Western Conference (1961-1969) Central Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970... City Chicago, Illinois Other nicknames Da Bears, The Monsters of the Midway Team colors Navy Blue, Orange and White Head Coach Lovie Smith Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey Chairman Michael McCaskey General manager Jerry Angelo Fight song Bear Down, Chicago Bears Mascot Staley Da Bear League/Conference affiliations Independent (1919) National... The NFC West refers to the Western Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League. ... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners Team colors Cardinal Red, Metallic Gold and Black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager none Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division (1946-1948) National Football League (1950–present... City Charlotte, North Carolina Other nicknames The Cardiac Cats Team colors Black, Panther Blue, and Silver Head Coach John Fox Owner Jerry Richardson General manager Marty Hurney Mascot Sir Purr League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1995–present) National Football Conference (1995-present) NFC West (1995-2001) NFC South (2002... City Atlanta, Georgia Team colors Black, Red, Silver, and White Head Coach Jim L. Mora Owner Arthur Blank General manager Rich McKay Mascot Freddie Falcon League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC... City New Orleans, Louisiana Team colors Old Gold, Black, and White Head Coach Sean Payton Owner Tom Benson General manager Mickey Loomis Mascot Gumbo League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1967–present) Eastern Conference (1967-1969) Capitol Division (1967; 1969) Century Division (1968) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West... City St. ...

Tiebreakers

• Miami finished ahead of N.Y. Jets in the AFC East based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).
• Pittsburgh finished ahead of Jacksonville in the AFC Central based on better net division points (78 to Jaguars' 23).
• Oakland finished ahead of San Diego in the AFC West based on better division record (2-6 to Chargers' 1-7).
• San Francisco was the top NFC playoff seed based on better conference record than Green Bay (11-1 to Packers' 10-2).
• Detroit finished ahead of Minnesota in the NFC Central based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).
• Carolina finished ahead of Atlanta in the NFC West based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).

Playoffs

Main article: NFL playoffs, 1997-98

Home team in capitals

The NFL playoffs following the 1997 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XXXII. // Wild Card playoffs December 27, 1997 NFC: Minnesota Vikings 23, New York Giants 22 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey Game time: 12:30 pm EST Game weather: 46 °F (Rain and snow) TV announcers...

AFC

• Wild-Card playoffs: DENVER 42, Jacksonville 17; NEW ENGLAND 17, Miami 3
• Divisional playoffs: PITTSBURGH 7, New England 6; Denver 14, KANSAS CITY 10
• AFC Championship: Denver 24, PITTSBURGH 21

NFC

• Wild-Card playoffs: Minnesota 23, N.Y. GIANTS 22; TAMPA BAY 20, Detroit 10
• Divisional playoffs: SAN FRANCISCO 38, Minnesota 22; GREEN BAY 21, Tampa Bay 7
• NFC Championship: Green Bay 23, SAN FRANCISCO 10

Super Bowl

• Super Bowl XXXII: Denver (AFC) 31, Green Bay (NFC) 24, at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Date January 25, 1998 Stadium Qualcomm Stadium City San Diego MVP Terrell Davis, Running back Favorite Packers by 11 1/2 National anthem Jewel Coin toss Joe Gibbs, Doug Williams, Eddie Robinson Referee Ed Hochuli Halftime show Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Tops Attendance 68... Qualcomm Stadium (a. ... It has been suggested that Downtown San Diego be merged into this article or section. ...

Statistical leaders

Team

Individual

To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Karim Abdul Jabbar Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar, formerly known as Karim Abdul-Jabbar (born June 28, 1974 in Los Angeles, California), is a former professional NFL football player who played from 1996 to 2000 seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts. ... Richie Cunningham (born August 18, 1970 in Houma, Louisiana) was a place kicker in the National Football League. ... Barry David Sanders (born July 16, 1968 in Wichita, Kansas) is a Hall of Fame American football running back from the NFL who spent his entire professional career with the Detroit Lions. ... Jon Steven Young (born October 11, 1961 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA), is a former quarterback for the National Football Leagues San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Express of the short-lived United States Football League. ... Brett Lorenzo Favre (pronounced Färv) (born October 10, 1969 in Gulfport, Mississippi) has been the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers American football team in the National Football League since 1992. ... Tim Brown (born July 22, 1966) is a retired National Football League player who was predominantly used as a wide receiver and also as a kick and punt returner early in his career. ... Herman Moore (born October 20, 1969 in Danville, Virginia) is an former American NFL wide receiver. ... Rob Moore. ... This article needs copyediting (checking for proper English spelling, grammar, usage, etc. ... Notable people named Michael Bates include: Michael Bates (actor) Michael Bates (athlete) Michael Bates, self-styled prime minister of Sealand. ... In the television series The Young and the Restless Ryan McNeil was a resident of Genoa City. ... Mark Royals was a punter in the NFL. Category: ... John Randle (born December 12, 1967) is a former NFL defensive tackle who played for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. ...

Awards

The NFL Most Valuable Player Award is given by various entities, most notably the Associated Press, to the player who has contributed the most to the success of the players team. ... Brett Lorenzo Favre (pronounced Färv) (born October 10, 1969 in Gulfport, Mississippi) has been the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers American football team in the National Football League since 1992. ... NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. ... Barry David Sanders (born July 16, 1968 in Wichita, Kansas) is a Hall of Fame American football running back from the NFL who spent his entire professional career with the Detroit Lions. ... High school running back A running back, halfback or tailback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ... The NFL Coach of the Year Award is presented annually by the Associated Press to the NFL coach who has done the most outstanding job of working with the talent he has at his disposal. ... Jim Fassel is the former head coach of the New York Giants of the NFL and currently is the Offensive Coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. ... The NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award is given annually by the Associated Press to the offensive player who had the most outstanding season. ... The NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award is given by the Associated Press to the leagues most outstanding defensive player at the end of every NFL season since 1971. ... Dana Stubblefield is an American NFL defensive tackle, currently a member of the New England Patriots. ... The defensive team or defense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball. ... Since 1967 The Associated Press has given two annual Rookie of the Year Awards to NFL American football players: one for an offensive player and one for a defensive player. ... Warrick Dunn featured in Sports Illustrated Warrick DeMon Dunn (born January 5, 1975 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Football player who currently plays running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. // High School Career At Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dunn played quarterback, cornerback... Since 1967 The Associated Press has given two annual Rookie of the Year Awards to NFL American football players: one for an offensive player and one for a defensive player. ... Peter Boulware (born December 18, 1974) is a linebacker who plays for the Baltimore Ravens. ... A linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football. ...

References

• NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 1-932994-36-X)
• NFL History 1991-2000 (Last accessed October 17, 2005)
• 1997 season in details
• Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (ISBN 0-06-270174-6)
• Steelers Fever - History of NFL Rules (Last accessed October 17, 2005)