1997 Denver Broncos season

1997 Denver Broncos season
Owner	Pat Bowlen
President	Pat Bowlen
General manager	John Beake and Mike Shanahan
Head coach	Mike Shanahan
Offensive coordinator	Gary Kubiak
Defensive coordinator	Greg Robinson
Home stadium	Mile High Stadium
Results
Record	12–4
Division place	2nd AFC West
Playoffs	Won Wild Card Playoffs (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
Pro Bowlers	QB John Elway RB Terrell Davis TE Shannon Sharpe C Tom Nalen
←  1996 Broncos seasons 1998  →

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. ^{[1] [2]} 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

1997 Denver Broncos draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	28	Trevor Pryce *	Defensive tackle	Clemson
3	67	Dan Neil	Guard	Texas
4	124	Cory Gilliard	Cornerback	Ball State
Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

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. ^[3] 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

1997 Denver Broncos staff

Front office 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 coaches Head coach – Mike Shanahan Assistant head coach/offensive line – Alex Gibbs Offensive coaches 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 coaches 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 coaches Special teams – Rick Dennison Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Rich Tuten Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Greg Saporta

Roster

1997 Denver Broncos roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  6 Bubby Brister  7 John Elway  8 Jeff Lewis Running backs (RB) 30 Terrell Davis 29 Howard Griffith FB 22 Vaughn Hebron KR 31 Derek Loville 37 Anthony Lynn 42 Detron Smith FB Wide receivers (WR) 83 Flipper Anderson 85 Willie Green 81 Patrick Jeffers 87 Ed McCaffrey 80 Rod Smith 88 Sir Mawn Wilson Tight ends (TE) 89 Dwayne Carswell 86 Byron Chamberlain 84 Shannon Sharpe

Offensive linemen (OL) 70 Jamie Brown T 63 David Diaz-Infante 75 Brian Habib G 77 Tony Jones T 66 Tom Nalen C 62 Dan Neil G 69 Mark Schlereth G 74 Harry Swayne T 65 Gary Zimmerman T Defensive linemen (DL) 96 Harald Hasselbach DE 72 Ernest Jones DE/DT 97 Mike Lodish DT 93 Trevor Pryce DT 99 David Richie DT 90 Neil Smith DE 98 Maa Tanuvasa DT 94 Keith Traylor NT 91 Alfred Williams DE

Linebackers (LB) 57 Allen Aldridge MLB 56 Keith Burns MLB 59 Glenn Cadrez OLB 50 Jon Hesse OLB 51 John Mobley OLB 53 Bill Romanowski OLB 58 Steve Russ OLB Defensive backs (DB) 27 Steve Atwater FS 34 Tyrone Braxton SS 39 Ray Crockett CB 33 Dedrick Dodge FS 23 Darrien Gordon 21 Randy Hilliard CB 25 Darrius Johnson CB 26 Tim McKyer CB 32 Tony Veland SS Special teams (ST)  1 Jason Elam K 16 Tom Rouen P

Practice squad -- Chris Banks G 55 Hillary Butler LB 48 George Coghill S 82 David Gamble WR -- Randy Bierman T 53 active, 5 inactive, 5 practice squadReserve 79 Jumpy Geathers DT (IR) 20 Tory James CB (IR) 60 K. C. Jones C (IR) 24 Selwyn Jones CB (IR) 78 Matt Lepsis T (NF-Inj.) Rookies in italics

^[4]

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	July 26	Buffalo Bills	W 31–10	1–0	Mile High Stadium	69,739	Recap
2	August 4	vs. Miami Dolphins	L 19–38	1–1	Estadio Guillermo Cañedo (Mexico City)	104,629	Recap
3	August 9	at Carolina Panthers	W 23–13	2–1	Ericsson Stadium	68,296	Recap
4	August 17	at New England Patriots	L 21–31	2–2	Foxboro Stadium	55,354	Recap
5	August 23	San Francisco 49ers	W 31–17	3–2	Mile High Stadium	69,847	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	August 31	Kansas City Chiefs	W 19–3	1–0	Mile High Stadium	Recap
2	September 7	at Seattle Seahawks	W 35–14	2–0	Kingdome	Recap
3	September 14	St. Louis Rams	W 35–14	3–0	Mile High Stadium	Recap
4	September 21	Cincinnati Bengals	W 38–20	4–0	Mile High Stadium	Recap
5	September 28	at Atlanta Falcons	W 29–21	5–0	Georgia Dome	Recap
6	October 6	New England Patriots	W 34–13	6–0	Mile High Stadium	Recap
7	Bye
8	October 19	at Oakland Raiders	L 25–28	6–1	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	Recap
9	October 26	at Buffalo Bills	W 23–20 (OT)	7–1	Rich Stadium	Recap
10	November 2	Seattle Seahawks	W 30–27	8–1	Mile High Stadium	Recap
11	November 9	Carolina Panthers	W 34–0	9–1	Mile High Stadium	Recap
12	November 16	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 22–24	9–2	Arrowhead Stadium	Recap
13	November 24	Oakland Raiders	W 31–3	10–2	Mile High Stadium	Recap
14	November 30	at San Diego Chargers	W 38–28	11–2	Qualcomm Stadium	Recap
15	December 7	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 24–35	11–3	Three Rivers Stadium	Recap
16	December 15	at San Francisco 49ers	L 17–34	11–4	3Com Park	Recap
17	December 21	San Diego Chargers	W 38–3	12–4	Mile High Stadium	Recap

Game summaries

Week 1

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	0	3	0	3
• Broncos	3	6	0	10	19

• Date: August 31
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Game start: 2:00 pm MDT
• Referee: Ed Hochuli
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire, and Phil Simms

Week 2

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Broncos	10	3	15	7	35
Seahawks	0	14	0	0	14

• Date: September 7
• Location: Kingdome
• Game start: 2:00 pm MDT
• Referee: Phil Luckett
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire, and Phil Simms

Week 3

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	7	0	0	7	14
• Broncos	7	7	7	14	35

• Date: September 14
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Game start: 2:00 pm MDT
• TV announcers (FOX): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas

Week 4

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	7	0	10	3	20
• Broncos	0	14	7	17	38

• Date: September 21
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Game start: 2:00 pm MDT
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Randy Cross

Week 5

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Broncos	15	8	6	0	29
Falcons	0	7	7	7	21

• Date: September 28
• Location: Georgia Dome
• Game start: 11:00 am MDT
• Referee: Dick Hantak
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Bob Trumpy

Week 6

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	0	13	0	0	13
• Broncos	14	0	17	3	34

• Date: October 6
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Game start: 7:00 pm MDT
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf

Week 8

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	3	7	8	25
• Raiders	7	7	7	7	28

• Date: October 19
• Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
• Game start: 2:00 pm MDT
• Referee: Bernie Kukar
• TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Randy Cross

Week 9

Team	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
• Broncos	0	10	10	0	3	23
Bills	0	0	20	0	0	20

• Date: October 26
• Location: Rich Stadium
• Game start: 11:00 am MDT
• Referee: Ron Blum
• TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Randy Cross

Week 10

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	3	7	10	7	27
• Broncos	3	10	14	3	30

• Date: November 2
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Game start: 2:00 pm MST
• Referee: Tom White
• TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Randy Cross

Week 11

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	0	0	0	0	0
• Broncos	14	3	10	7	34

• Date: November 9
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Game start: 2:00 pm MST
• Referee: Johnny Grier
• TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall and John Madden

Week 12

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	3	10	3	6	22
• Chiefs	0	14	7	3	24

• Date: November 16
• Location: Arrowhead Stadium
• Game start: 11:00 am MST
• Referee: Bill Carollo
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire and Phil Simms

Week 13

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	3	0	0	3
• Broncos	0	14	17	0	31

• Date: November 24
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Game start: 7:00 pm MST
• Referee: Mike Carey
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf

Week 14

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Broncos	7	21	7	3	38
Chargers	0	7	7	14	28

• Date: November 30
• Location: Qualcomm Stadium
• Game start: 6:00 pm MST
• Referee: Gerald Austin
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick and Joe Theismann

Week 15

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	14	7	3	0	24
• Steelers	7	14	7	7	35

• Date: December 7
• Location: Three Rivers Stadium
• Game start: 11:00 am MST
• Referee: Walt Coleman
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire and Phil Simms

Week 16

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	10	0	7	0	17
• 49ers	0	14	10	10	34

• Date: December 15
• Location: Candlestick Park
• Game start: 7:00 pm MST
• Referee: Phil Luckett
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf

Week 17

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	0	0	0	3
• Broncos	0	24	7	7	38

• Date: December 21
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Game start: 2:00 pm MST
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Mike Breen and James Lofton

Standings

AFC West
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(1) Kansas City Chiefs	13	3	0	.813	375	232	W6
(4) Denver Broncos	12	4	0	.750	472	287	W1
Seattle Seahawks	8	8	0	.500	365	362	W2
Oakland Raiders	4	12	0	.250	324	419	L5
San Diego Chargers	4	12	0	.250	266	425	L8

Playoffs

Round	Date	Opponent (seed)	Result	TV Time (MT)	TV Announcers	Game site	Attendance
Wild Card Playoffs	December 27, 1997	Jacksonville Jaguars (5)	W 42–17	ABC 2:00pm	Al Michaels, Frank Gifford & Dan Dierdorf	Mile High Stadium	74,481
Divisional Playoffs	January 4, 1998	at Kansas City Chiefs (1)	W 14–10	NBC 2:00pm	Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire & Phil Simms	Arrowhead Stadium	76,695
AFC Championship	January 11, 1998	at Pittsburgh Steelers (2)	W 24–21	NBC 10:30am	Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire & Phil Simms	Three Rivers Stadium	61,382
Super Bowl XXXII	January 25, 1998	vs. Green Bay Packers (N2)	W 31–24	NBC 4:30pm	Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire & Phil Simms	Qualcomm Stadium	68,912

AFC Wild Card: vs. (5) Jacksonville Jaguars

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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	0	7	10	0	17
•Broncos	14	7	0	21	42

• Date: December 27
• Location: Mile High Stadium
• Referee: Bernie Kukar
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, and Dan Dierdorf

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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
•Broncos	0	7	0	7	14
Chiefs	0	0	10	0	10

• Date: January 4
• Location: Arrowhead Stadium
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire, and Phil Simms

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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
•Broncos	7	17	0	0	24
Steelers	7	7	0	7	21

• Date: January 11
• Location: Three Rivers Stadium
• Referee: Ron Blum
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire, and Phil Simms

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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	7	7	3	7	24
•Broncos	7	10	7	7	31

• Date: January 25
• Location: Qualcomm Stadium
• Game start: 4:30 pm MST
• Referee: Ed Hochuli
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Phil Simms and Paul Maguire

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 ^[5]
• John Elway, Franchise Record, Most Touchdowns in One Season, 27 Touchdown Passes ^{[6] [7]}

References

1. "New uniforms for a new era". History.DenverBroncos.com. February 4, 1997. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
2. "Broncos Directory" (PDF). 1997 Denver Broncos Media Guide. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
3. "Last Undefeated NFL Teams in Each Season". Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
4. "1997 Denver Broncos starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
5. "Super Bowl MVPs – Super Bowl History – National Football League". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
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". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 8, 2025.

External links

• at Pro-Football-Reference.com