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1997 Denver Broncos season

28th team season; first Super Bowl win

28th team season; first Super Bowl win

FieldValue
teamDenver Broncos
year1997
record12–4
division_place2nd AFC West
coachMike Shanahan
off_coachGary Kubiak
def_coachGreg Robinson
general managerJohn Beake and Mike Shanahan
presidentPat Bowlen
ownerPat Bowlen
stadiumMile High Stadium
playoffs**Won [Wild Card Playoffs](1997-98-nfl-playoffs)**
(vs. [Jaguars](1997-jacksonville-jaguars-season)) 42–17
**Won [Divisional Playoffs](1997-98-nfl-playoffs)**
(at [Chiefs](1997-kansas-city-chiefs-season)) 14–10
**Won [AFC Championship](1997-98-nfl-playoffs)**
(at [Steelers](1997-pittsburgh-steelers-season)) 24–21
**Won Super Bowl XXXII**
(vs. [Packers](1997-green-bay-packers-season)) 31–24
pro_bowlersQB John Elway
RB Terrell Davis
TE Shannon Sharpe
C Tom Nalen
shortnavlinkBroncos seasons

(vs. Jaguars) 42–17 Won Divisional Playoffs (at Chiefs) 14–10 Won AFC Championship (at Steelers) 24–21 Won Super Bowl XXXII (vs. Packers) 31–24 RB Terrell Davis TE Shannon Sharpe C Tom Nalen

The 1997 season was the Denver Broncos' 28th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 38th overall. The Broncos finished the season with a record of 12–4, finishing second in the AFC West, and winning Super Bowl XXXII. The Broncos were the second wild card team since the 1970 merger to win a Super Bowl, joining the 1980 Oakland Raiders.

The 1997 season saw the addition of the Denver Broncos' newest wordmark and logo. Their new logo featured a newer, dynamic Bronco, which has been the team's logo since the 1997 season. The new default team colors unveiled prior to the 1997 season were navy blue jerseys with orange and white pants with orange. This would continue until 2012, when they assigned the all navy blue uniforms as the "Main alternate" slot, making the primary uniforms have orange tops, white bottoms and orange/white shoes.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1997 NFL draft

Season summary

Having lost a disappointing playoff game to Jacksonville the year before, many thought this might be John Elway's last chance to win a Super Bowl. They started off the season by winning their first six games, beating the Chiefs, Seahawks, Rams, Bengals, Falcons and Patriots in the first game between the last two unbeaten NFL teams since 1973. They then lost to the Raiders, then defeated the Bills, Seahawks, and Panthers. They then lost to the Chiefs, beat the Raiders and the Chargers, lost to the Steelers and the 49ers, but finished the season with a win against the Chargers.

They made the playoffs as a wildcard and advanced against the Jaguars and Chiefs and defeated the Steelers in the 1997 AFC Championship Game. They then won Super Bowl XXXII against the Packers 31–24, only the second team since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970 to ever win a Super Bowl as a wildcard, and the first AFC team to win the title since the Los Angeles Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII following the 1983 season. The win was a big morale boost to Denver and the Broncos, who had suffered through four previous Super Bowl losses, and especially Elway, who had led three of those defeats.

The 1997 Broncos were tenth in the league in total passing yards with 3704 and fourth in the league in total rushing yards with 2378. They finished with 6082 total yards, first in the NFL. They were fourth in total yards given up with 4969. They were also first in total points scored with 472. They were seventh in total points allowed with 287.

The team's 12–4 record is their fifth-best 16-game season in franchise history.

During the season John Elway threw for 3635 yards and Terrell Davis rushed for 1750 yards. Rod Smith had 70 receptions for 1180 yards and Ed McCaffrey had 45 receptions for 590 yards. Tight end Shannon Sharpe has 72 receptions for 1107 yards. Kicker Jason Elam kicked 26 field goals out of 36 attempted. Davis, Elway, Tom Nalen, Sharpe, and Neil Smith made the Pro Bowl.

Personnel

Staff

  • President and chief executive officer – Pat Bowlen

  • General manager – John Beake

  • Director of player personnel – Neal Dahlen

  • Director of pro scouting – Jack Elway

  • Director of college scouting – Ted Sundquist

  • College Scouting Consultant – Jerry Frei

  • College Scout – Dave Gettleman

  • Head coach – Mike Shanahan

  • Assistant head coach/offensive line – Alex Gibbs

  • Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Gary Kubiak

  • Running backs – Bobby Turner

  • Wide receivers – Mike Heimerdinger

  • Tight ends – Brian Pariani

  • Assistant offensive line/Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Barney Chavous

  • Offensive assistant – Dwain Painter

  • Offensive assistant – Ricky Porter

  • Defensive coordinator – Greg Robinson

  • Defensive line – George Dyer

  • Linebackers – Frank Bush

  • Defensive backs – Ed Donatell

  • Defensive assistant – Rick Smith

  • Pass Rush Specialist – John Teerlinck

  • Special teams – Rick Dennison

  • Strength and conditioning – Rich Tuten

  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Greg Saporta

Roster

53 active, 5 inactive, 5 practice squad

Preseason

Denver Broncosyear=1997border=2}}"WeekDenver Broncosyear=1997border=2}}"DateDenver Broncosyear=1997border=2}}"OpponentDenver Broncosyear=1997border=2}}"ResultDenver Broncosyear=1997border=2}}"RecordDenver Broncosyear=1997border=2}}"VenueDenver Broncosyear=1997border=2}}"AttendanceDenver Broncosyear=1997border=2}}"Recap12345
[Buffalo Bills](1997-buffalo-bills-season)**W** 31–101–0Mile High Stadium69,739[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1997nflden.html)
vs. [Miami Dolphins](1997-miami-dolphins-season)**L** 19–381–1Estadio Guillermo Cañedo (Mexico City)104,629[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1997nflden.html)
at [Carolina Panthers](1997-carolina-panthers-season)**W** 23–132–1Ericsson Stadium68,296[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1997nflden.html)
August 17at [New England Patriots](1997-new-england-patriots-season)**L** 21–312–2Foxboro Stadium55,354[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1997nflden.html)
[San Francisco 49ers](1997-san-francisco-49ers-season)**W** 31–173–2Mile High Stadium69,847[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1997nflden.html)

Regular season

Schedule

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August 31**[Kansas City Chiefs](1997-kansas-city-chiefs-season)****W** 19–31–0Mile High Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199708310den.htm)
September 7at **[Seattle Seahawks](1997-seattle-seahawks-season)****W** 35–142–0Kingdome[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199709070sea.htm)
September 14[St. Louis Rams](1997-st-louis-rams-season)**W** 35–143–0Mile High Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199709140den.htm)
September 21[Cincinnati Bengals](1997-cincinnati-bengals-season)**W** 38–204–0Mile High Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199709210den.htm)
September 28at [Atlanta Falcons](1997-atlanta-falcons-season)**W** 29–215–0Georgia Dome[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199709280atl.htm)
[New England Patriots](1997-new-england-patriots-season)**W** 34–136–0Mile High Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199710060den.htm)
*Bye*
October 19at **[Oakland Raiders](1997-oakland-raiders-season)****L** 25–286–1Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199710190rai.htm)
October 26at [Buffalo Bills](1997-buffalo-bills-season)**W** 23–20 (OT)7–1Rich Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199710260buf.htm)
November 2**[Seattle Seahawks](1997-seattle-seahawks-season)****W** 30–278–1Mile High Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199711020den.htm)
November 9[Carolina Panthers](1997-carolina-panthers-season)**W** 34–09–1Mile High Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199711090den.htm)
November 16at **[Kansas City Chiefs](1997-kansas-city-chiefs-season)****L** 22–249–2Arrowhead Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199711160kan.htm)
**[Oakland Raiders](1997-oakland-raiders-season)****W** 31–310–2Mile High Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199711240den.htm)
November 30at **[San Diego Chargers](1997-san-diego-chargers-season)****W** 38–2811–2Qualcomm Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199711300sdg.htm)
December 7at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1997-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**L** 24–3511–3Three Rivers Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199712070pit.htm)
at [San Francisco 49ers](1997-san-francisco-49ers-season)**L** 17–3411–43Com Park[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199712150sfo.htm)
December 21**[San Diego Chargers](1997-san-diego-chargers-season)****W** 38–312–4Mile High Stadium[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199712210den.htm)

Game summaries

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

Week 16

Week 17

Standings

Playoffs

RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultTV Time (MT)TV AnnouncersGame siteAttendance
Wild Card PlayoffsDecember 27, 1997[Jacksonville Jaguars](1997-jacksonville-jaguars-season) (5)**W** 42–17ABC 2:00pmAl Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan DierdorfMile High Stadium74,481
Divisional PlayoffsJanuary 4, 1998at [Kansas City Chiefs](1997-kansas-city-chiefs-season) (1)**W** 14–10NBC 2:00pmDick Enberg, Paul Maguire & Phil SimmsArrowhead Stadium76,695
AFC ChampionshipJanuary 11, 1998at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1997-pittsburgh-steelers-season) (2)**W** 24–21NBC 10:30amDick Enberg, Paul Maguire & Phil SimmsThree Rivers Stadium61,382
Super Bowl XXXIIJanuary 25, 1998vs. [Green Bay Packers](1997-green-bay-packers-season) (N2)**W** 31–24NBC 4:30pmDick Enberg, Paul Maguire & Phil SimmsQualcomm Stadium68,912

AFC Wild Card: vs. (5) Jacksonville Jaguars

Main article: 1997–98_NFL_playoffs#AFC:_Denver_Broncos_42,_Jacksonville_Jaguars_17

In the 1997 AFC Wildcard Playoff weekend, the Broncos were paired against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Broncos viewed this game as a chance to avenge the previous season's Divisional Playoff loss of 30–27 to the Jaguars, an early exit in a year the Broncos were favored to win the Super Bowl. Ultimately, 21 unanswered 4th quarter points saw the Broncos seize the win and a playoff berth against the Division Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Broncos go to the Divisional Round and win to the Chiefs 14–10. Win in the AFC Championship Game to the Steelers 24–21. And in Super Bowl XXXII Win to the Green Bay Packers 31–24.

AFC Divisional Playoff: at (1) Kansas City Chiefs

Broncos go to the AFC Championship Game and win to the Steelers 24–21. And win Super Bowl XXXII to the Packers 31–24.

AFC Championship Game: at (2) Pittsburgh Steelers

Broncos go to Super Bowl XXXII to the Packers and win 31–24.

Super Bowl: vs. (N2) Green Bay Packers

Main article: Super Bowl XXXII

Broncos win and in 1998 finished 14–2 to win Super Bowl XXXIII to the Falcons 34–19.

Awards and records

  • Terrell Davis, Super Bowl MVP
  • John Elway, Franchise Record, Most Touchdowns in One Season, 27 Touchdown Passes

References

References

  1. (February 4, 1997). "New uniforms for a new era".
  2. "Broncos Directory". NFL Enterprises.
  3. "Last Undefeated NFL Teams in Each Season".
  4. "1997 Denver Broncos starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  5. "Super Bowl MVPs – Super Bowl History – National Football League".
  6. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 44
  7. "Denver Broncos Single-Season Passing Leaders".
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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