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1997 Chicago Bears season

NFL team season

Field	Value
team	Chicago Bears
year	1997
record	4–12
division_place	5th NFC Central
coach	Dave Wannstedt
off_coach	Matt Cavanaugh
def_coach	Bob Slowik
owner	Virginia Halas McCaskey
stadium	Soldier Field
playoffs	Did not qualify
shortnavlink	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.

Offseason

Additions		Subtractions
WR Ricky Proehl (Seahawks)
LB Ron Cox (Packers)
DE Mark Thomas (Panthers)
G Chris Gray (Dolphins)
TE Harper LeBel (Falcons)
T Jimmy Herndon (Jaguars)
WR Chris Penn (Chiefs)
G Casey Wiegmann (Jets)
DB Ricky Bell (Jaguars)
DB Tyrone Hughes (Saints)

NFL draft

Main article: 1997 NFL draft

Staff

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

Roster

53 active, 7 inactive, 3 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Chicago Bears	year=1997	border=2}}"	Week	Chicago Bears	year=1997
	at [Green Bay Packers](1997-green-bay-packers-season)	L 24–38	0–1	Lambeau Field	60,766
September 7	[Minnesota Vikings](1997-minnesota-vikings-season)	L 24–27	0–2	Soldier Field	59,263
September 14	[Detroit Lions](1997-detroit-lions-season)	L 7–32	0–3	Soldier Field	59,147
September 21	at [New England Patriots](1997-new-england-patriots-season)	L 3–31	0–4	Foxboro Stadium	59,873
September 28	at [Dallas Cowboys](1997-dallas-cowboys-season)	L 3–27	0–5	Texas Stadium	64,082
October 5	[New Orleans Saints](1997-new-orleans-saints-season)	L 17–20	0–6	Soldier Field	58,865
October 12	[Green Bay Packers](1997-green-bay-packers-season)	L 23–24	0–7	Soldier Field	62,212
Bye
	at [Miami Dolphins](1997-miami-dolphins-season)	W 36–33 (OT)	1–7	Pro Player Stadium	73,156
November 2	[Washington Redskins](1997-washington-redskins-season)	L 8–31	1–8	Soldier Field	53,052
November 9	at [Minnesota Vikings](1997-minnesota-vikings-season)	L 22–29	1–9	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	63,443
November 16	[New York Jets](1997-new-york-jets-season)	L 15–23	1–10	Soldier Field	45,642
November 23	[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1997-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)	W 13–7	2–10	Soldier Field	43,955
November 27	at [Detroit Lions](1997-detroit-lions-season)	L 20–55	2–11	Pontiac Silverdome	77,904
December 7	[Buffalo Bills](1997-buffalo-bills-season)	W 20–3	3–11	Soldier Field	39,784
December 14	at [St. Louis Rams](1997-st-louis-rams-season)	W 13–10	4–11	Trans World Dome	66,030
December 21	at [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1997-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)	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

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

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 4: at New England Patriots

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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]].
"1997 Chicago Bears draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
"Chicago Bears 1997 Media Guide".
"1997 Chicago Bears starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com.

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