1997 Season

Dallas Cowboys Schedule and Scores 1997 Season

Record: 6-10
Fourth Place in NFC East

Dallas Cowboys Story:

One word describes the Dallas Cowboys 1997 Season "UGLY"  The year has began as no other in recent memory as Dallas was attempting to get its house in order.  Unfortunately for Jerry Jones and company, this proved to be a task that he could not accomplish.   That year there were no extra pre-season games, no trips abroad only training camp with everyone saying that they were 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. It also showed to the keen Dallas Cowboy fans that there was a lot of hate amongst "America's Team"

 

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 and more importantly, Dallas lost DE Charles Haley and TE Jay Novacek to retirement.   To a lot of the fans this meant that the Cowboys were done for a long time and they were proved right.  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 below average season to reach the 6-5 mark, but then things really headed south andl 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.  

Dallas Cowboys Highlights:

• 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.

The 1997 NFL Standings

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