1997 Chicago Bears season

1997 Chicago Bears season
Head coach	Dave Wannstedt
Home field	Soldier Field
Results
Record	4–12
Division place	5th NFC Central
Playoff finish	Did not qualify

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. It was the team's first 4-win season since they posted a 4–10 record in 1975. The team allowed a franchise-record 421 points in 1997.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1997 NFL draft

1997 Chicago Bears draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
2	38	John Allred	Tight end	USC
3	69	Bob Sapp	Guard	Washington
4	105	Darnell Autry	Running back	Northwestern
4	108	Marcus Robinson	Wide receiver	South Carolina
5	141	Van Hiles	Defensive back	Kentucky
6	196	Shawn Swayda	Defensive end	Arizona State
6	200	Richard Hogans	Linebacker	Memphis
6	201	Ricky Parker	Defensive back	San Diego State
7	210	Mike Miano	Defensive tackle	Missouri State
7	233	Marvin Thomas	Defensive end	Memphis
Made roster

Staff

1997 Chicago Bears staff

Front office 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 coaches Head coach – Dave Wannstedt Assistant head coach – Tony Wise Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Matt Cavanaugh Running backs – Willie Peete Wide receivers – Ivan Fears Tight ends – Ted Plumb Offensive line – Tony Wise

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Bob Slowik Defensive line – Clarence Brooks Defensive backs – Carlos Mainord Defensive assistant – Greg Schiano Special teams coaches Special teams – Keith Armstrong Strength and conditioning Physical development coordinator – Russ Riederer Assistant physical development coordinator – Steve Little

Roster

1997 Chicago Bears roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 12 Erik Kramer 13 Rick Mirer 18 Steve Stenstrom Running backs (RB) 20 James Allen 21 Darnell Autry 30 Tony Carter FB 38 Mike Dulaney FB 22 Ronnie Harmon 44 Michael Hicks Wide receivers (WR) 82 Fabien Bownes KR 80 Curtis Conway 81 Bobby Engram 86 Chris Penn 87 Ricky Proehl PR 83 Eric Smith KR Tight ends (TE) 49 Tremayne Allen 84 John Allred 89 Ryan Wetnight

Offensive linemen (OL) 63 Todd Burger G 62 Chris Gray G 64 Andy Heck T 74 Jimmy Herndon T 67 Greg Huntington G 58 Chris Villarrial C/G 60 Casey Wiegmann C 71 James Williams T Defensive linemen (DL) 99 Jim Flanigan DT 93 Paul Grasmanis DT 68 Carl Reeves DE 98 Carl Simpson DT 90 Alonzo Spellman DE 95 Mark Thomas DE 96 Tyrone Williams DT

Linebackers (LB) 59 Daryl Carter OLB 52 Bryan Cox MLB 54 Ron Cox OLB 55 Sean Harris OLB 53 Michael Lowery OLB 92 Barry Minter OLB 57 Tony Peterson MLB Defensive backs (DB) 23 Marty Carter SS 25 Tom Carter CB 24 Terry Cousin CB 46 Marlon Forbes SS 27 Walt Harris CB 48 Van Hiles FS 35 Clyde Johnson CB 26 John Mangum FS 45 Tony Stargell CB Special teams 33 Tyrone Hughes  1 Jeff Jaeger K 88 Harper LeBel LS 16 Todd Sauerbrun P

Practice squad 97 Mark Lee DE 15 Chris Miller WR 73 Emmett Zitelli C 53 active, 7 inactive, 3 practice squad Reserve 32 Ricky Bell CB (NF-Inj.) 29 Raymont Harris RB (IR) 94 Rich Hogans LB (IR) 75 Todd Perry G (IR) 19 Marcus Robinson WR (IR) 31 Rashaan Salaam RB (IR) 91 John Thierry DE (IR) Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 1	at Green Bay Packers	L 24–38	0–1	Lambeau Field	60,766
2	September 7	Minnesota Vikings	L 24–27	0–2	Soldier Field	59,263
3	September 14	Detroit Lions	L 7–32	0–3	Soldier Field	59,147
4	September 21	at New England Patriots	L 3–31	0–4	Foxboro Stadium	59,873
5	September 28	at Dallas Cowboys	L 3–27	0–5	Texas Stadium	64,082
6	October 5	New Orleans Saints	L 17–20	0–6	Soldier Field	58,865
7	October 12	Green Bay Packers	L 23–24	0–7	Soldier Field	62,212
8	Bye
9	October 27	at Miami Dolphins	W 36–33 (OT)	1–7	Pro Player Stadium	73,156
10	November 2	Washington Redskins	L 8–31	1–8	Soldier Field	53,052
11	November 9	at Minnesota Vikings	L 22–29	1–9	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	63,443
12	November 16	New York Jets	L 15–23	1–10	Soldier Field	45,642
13	November 23	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 13–7	2–10	Soldier Field	43,955
14	November 27	at Detroit Lions	L 20–55	2–11	Pontiac Silverdome	77,904
15	December 7	Buffalo Bills	W 20–3	3–11	Soldier Field	39,784
16	December 14	at St. Louis Rams	W 13–10	4–11	Trans World Dome	66,030
17	December 21	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 15–31	4–12	Houlihan's Stadium	70,930

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

NFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(2) Green Bay Packers	13	3	0	.813	422	282	W5
(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers	10	6	0	.625	299	263	W1
(5) Detroit Lions	9	7	0	.563	379	306	W2
(6) Minnesota Vikings	9	7	0	.563	354	359	W1
Chicago Bears	4	12	0	.250	263	421	L1

Game summaries

Week 1: at Green Bay Packers

Week One: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	11	0	13	24
Packers	3	15	6	14	38

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Date: September 1
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 60,766
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Two: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	3	0	10	14	27
Bears	0	10	7	7	24

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: September 7
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 59,263
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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 Three: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	3	10	10	9	32
Bears	7	0	0	0	7

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: September 14
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 59,147
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Week 4: at New England Patriots

Week Four: Chicago Bears at New England Patriots – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	3	0	3
Patriots	7	7	0	17	31

at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Date: September 21
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C)
• Game attendance: 59,873
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Five: Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	3	0	0	0	3
Cowboys	0	7	17	3	27

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

• Date: September 28
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 64,082
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Six: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints	0	3	10	7	20
Bears	3	0	0	14	17

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: October 5
• Game time: 7:15 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
• Game attendance: 58,865
• TV announcers (TNT): Verne Lundquist, Mark May and Bryan Burwell
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Seven: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	0	14	7	3	24
Bears	10	0	7	6	23

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: October 12
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C)
• Game attendance: 62,212
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Nine: Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Bears	7	8	3	15	3	36
Dolphins	7	6	6	14	0	33

at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

• Date: October 27
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST/9:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
• Game attendance: 73,156
• TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Ten: Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	14	10	7	0	31
Bears	0	0	0	8	8

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: November 2
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
• Game attendance: 53,052
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Eleven: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	7	3	9	3	22
Vikings	7	14	0	8	29

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: November 9
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 63,443
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Twelve: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	10	13	0	0	23
Bears	0	0	7	8	15

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: November 16
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 25 °F (−4 °C)
• Game attendance: 45,642
• TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Randy Cross
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Thirteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	0	0	7	0	7
Bears	10	3	0	0	13

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: November 23
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 27 °F (−3 °C)
• Game attendance: 43,955
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	14	6	0	0	20
Lions	3	14	17	21	55

at Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan

• Date: November 27
• Game time: 11:30 a.m. CST/12:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 77,904
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Fifteen: Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	3	0	0	3
Bears	0	17	0	3	20

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: December 7
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 31 °F (−1 °C)
• Game attendance: 39,784
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Jim Mora
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Sixteen: Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	0	6	13
Rams	7	0	0	3	10

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: December 14
• Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST
• Game weather: None (played indoors)
• Game attendance: 66,030
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Roy Firestone and Ron Jaworski
• Box score

Game information

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

Week Seventeen: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	0	8	15
Buccaneers	14	7	10	0	31

at Houlihan's Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida

• Date: December 21
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 70,930
• TV: Fox
• Box score

Game information

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

External links

• 1997 Chicago Bears at Pro-Football-Reference.com