The 1997 Season
Record: 6-10
Fourth Place in NFC East
Synopsis:
- The year has began as no other in recent memory. Dallas is attempting to get its house in order. This year there are no extra pre-season games, no trips abroad. Only training camp--with everyone focused on the trip back to the Super Bowl. The only distraction was the coach Barry Switzer getting caught with a loaded gun at the airport while boarding a plane. While innocent, this episode highlighted that Dallas has a long way to go.
- Personal changes continued for Dallas in the years of free agency. Dallas lost its kicking game and linebacking corp as K Chris Boniol, P John Jett, LB Godfrey Myles, LB Jim Schwantz, and LB Darrin Smith all left to other teams. Additionally, Dallas lost DE Charles Haley and TE Jay Novacek to retirement. For only the second time in the history of the Cowboys, all draft picks (9) made the team as the Cowboys strive towards a more youthful team.
- Dallas was having an average season to reach the 6-5 mark, but then things went downhill fast. The 1996 "Year of Distraction" turned into the 1997 "Year of Disappointment". After playing close in the first half of the Green Bay game, the Cowboys were routed in the second half and they never recovered. Dallas didn't win again, and finished with a 6-10 record. The offense, which has been inconsistent early, has gotten worse as injuries to key players are now ending any hope the Cowboys had. The Cowboys biggest problem was scoring touchdowns once inside the 20 yard line, and were ranked 29th of 30 teams. In the end, Barry Switzer was "allowed to resign" and usher in a new era.
Notables:
- Kicker Richie Cunningham sets NFL record of 19 field goals in first six games (25 in his first 8).
- Kicker Richie Cunningham sets Cowboy record of 34 field goals in a season.
- Dallas tied a team record low of 6 rushing touchdowns.
- Punter Toby Gowin tied club record of 86 punts in a season.
- Troy Aikman becomes the Cowboys All-Time Leading Passer.
- Michael Irvin becomes the Cowboys All-Time Leading Receiver.
- Head Coach Barry Switzer was "allowed to resign" under pressure.
| Preseason |
|---|
| Week | Date | Opponent | W/L | Score |
|---|
| - | Aug 3 | Oakland | L | 27-34 |
| - | Aug 9 | at New England | L | 10-16 |
| - | Aug 15 | St. Louis | W | 34-31 |
| - | Aug 23 | Tennessee | W | 34-10 |
Regular Season
|
|---|
| Week | Date | Opponent | W/L | Score |
|---|
| 1 | Aug 31 | at Pittsburgh | W | 37-07 |
| 2 | Sept 7 | at Arizona | L | 22-25 (OT) |
| 3 | Sept 15 (Mon) | Philadelphia | W | 21-20 |
| 4 | Sept 21 | -bye- | - | - |
| 5 | Sept 28 | Chicago | W | 27-03 |
| 6 | Oct 5 | at NY Giants | L | 17-20 |
| 7 | Oct 13 (Mon) | at Washington | L | 16-21 |
| 8 | Oct 19 | Jacksonville | W | 26-22 |
| 9 | Oct 26 | at Philadelphia | L | 12-13 |
| 10 | Nov 2 | at San Francisco | L | 10-17 |
| 11 | Nov 9 | Arizona | W | 24-06 |
| 12 | Nov 16 | Washington | W | 17-14 |
| 13 | Nov 23 | at Green Bay | L | 17-45 |
| 14 | Nov 27 (Thurs) | Tennessee | L | 14-27 |
| 15 | Dec 8 (Mon) | Carolina | L | 13-23 |
| 16 | Dec 14 | at Cincinnati | L | 24-31 |
| 17 | Dec 21 | NY Giants | L | 07-20 |
Playoffs
|
|---|
| Week | Date | Opponent | W/L | Score |
|---|
| - | - | - | - | - |
Last Updated: August 10, 2000
jrbeasley@email.msn.com