The 1997 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the franchise's 3rd season in the National Football League and the 3rd under head coach Tom Coughlin. The team looked to reach the AFC Championship for the second straight year following a surprising run in 1996. The Jaguars improved upon their previous 9-7 record and won 11 games. They made the playoffs as a wild card team, playing the Denver Broncos on the road for the second straight year. This time they lost to the Broncos 42–17, bringing the Jaguars’ season to an end.
Quick Facts Jacksonville Jaguars season, Head coach ...
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The team also made a couple of changes to the uniforms. They changed the numbers to new font style numbers and added black side panels to the uniforms. During the offseason, the team had changed the font style numbers on the jerseys to a skinnier style with a black drop shadow in the back of the numbers. During the team's 1997 preseason games there were several complaints that the announcers and the viewers had a hard time recognizing the numbers on the players, so the team decided to make the jersey numbers wider and removed the drop shadow numbers by the beginning of the regular season.
NFL draft
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Undrafted free agents
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Staff
1997 Jacksonville Jaguars staff
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
- Special teams coordinator – Larry Pasquale
- Assistant special teams – Joe Baker
Strength and conditioning
- Strength and conditioning – Jerry Palmieri
- Assistant strength and conditioning – Jeff Hurd
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Schedule
More information Week, Date ...
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Record |
Venue |
Attendance |
1 |
August 31, 1997 |
at Baltimore Ravens |
W 28–27 |
1–0 |
Memorial Stadium |
61,018 |
2 |
September 7, 1997 |
New York Giants |
W 40–13 |
2–0 |
Alltel Stadium |
70,581 |
3 |
Bye |
4 |
September 22, 1997 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
W 30–21 |
3–0 |
Alltel Stadium |
73,016 |
5 |
September 28, 1997 |
at Washington Redskins |
L 12–24 |
3–1 |
Jack Kent Cooke Stadium |
74,421 |
6 |
October 5, 1997 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
W 21–13 |
4–1 |
Alltel Stadium |
67,128 |
7 |
October 12, 1997 |
Philadelphia Eagles |
W 38–21 |
5–1 |
Alltel Stadium |
69,150 |
8 |
October 19, 1997 |
at Dallas Cowboys |
L 22–26 |
5–2 |
Texas Stadium |
64,464 |
9 |
October 26, 1997 |
at Pittsburgh Steelers |
L 17–23 (OT) |
5–3 |
Three Rivers Stadium |
57,011 |
10 |
November 2, 1997 |
at Tennessee Oilers |
W 30–24 |
6–3 |
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium |
27,208 |
11 |
November 9, 1997 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
W 24–10 |
7–3 |
Alltel Stadium |
70,444 |
12 |
November 16, 1997 |
Tennessee Oilers |
W 17–9 |
8–3 |
Alltel Stadium |
70,070 |
13 |
November 23, 1997 |
at Cincinnati Bengals |
L 26–31 |
8–4 |
Cinergy Field |
55,158 |
14 |
November 30, 1997 |
Baltimore Ravens |
W 29–27 |
9–4 |
Alltel Stadium |
63,712 |
15 |
December 7, 1997 |
New England Patriots |
L 20–26 |
9–5 |
Alltel Stadium |
73,446 |
16 |
December 14, 1997 |
at Buffalo Bills |
W 20–14 |
10–5 |
Rich Stadium |
41,231 |
17 |
December 21, 1997 |
at Oakland Raiders |
W 20–9 |
11–5 |
Oakland Coliseum |
40,032 |
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Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Jaguars |
17 |
7 |
0 | 7 | 31 |
Ravens |
0 |
17 |
7 | 3 | 27 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
- JAC – Rob Johnson 25-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:17. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:43.
- JAC – Natrone Means 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 2:14. Jaguars 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 93 yards, 6:12.
Second quarter
- BAL – Jermaine Lewis 17-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick), 13:16. Jaguars 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 3:58.
- BAL – Jermaine Lewis 42-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick), 7:16. Tied 14–14. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 4:24.
- JAC – Jimmy Smith 20-yard pass from Rob Johnson (Mike Hollis kick), 1:08. Jaguars 21–14. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 1:12.
- BAL – Matt Stover 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Jaguars 21–17. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 1:08.
Third quarter
- BAL – Michael Jackson 54-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick), 13:58. Ravens 24–21. Drive: 3 plays, 56 yards, 1:02.
Fourth quarter
- BAL – Matt Stover 25-yard field goal, 8:46. Ravens 27–21. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 6:10.
- JAC – Jimmy Smith 28-yard pass from Rob Johnson (Mike Hollis kick), 5:47. Jaguars 28–27. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:59.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 2: vs New York Giants
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Giants |
7 |
0 |
6 | 0 | 13 |
Jaguars |
0 |
20 |
3 | 17 | 40 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- JAC – Mike Hollis 29-yard field goal, 14:14. Giants 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 3:15.
- JAC – James Stewart 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:52. Jaguars 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:59.
- JAC – Natrone Means 9-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 3:12. Jaguars 17–7. Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 6:32.
- JAC – Mike Hollis 52-yard field goal, 0:00. Jaguars 20–7. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 0:56.
Third quarter
- JAC – Mike Hollis 36-yard field goal, 2:45. Jaguars 23–7. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 5:27.
- NYG – Chris Calloway 8-yard pass from Dave Brown (pass failed), 0:30. Jaguars 23–13. Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 2:15.
Fourth quarter
- JAC – Mike Hollis 42-yard field goal, 9:43. Jaguars 26–13. Drive: 5 plays, 39 yards, 2:53.
- JAC – Natrone Means 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 5:56. Jaguars 33–13. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:52.
- JAC – James Stewart 12-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 1:55. Jaguars 40–13. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 2:40.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
- NYG – Tiki Barber – 3 receptions, 43 yards
- JAC – Jimmy Smith – 8 receptions, 117 yards
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Week 4: vs Pittsburgh Steelers
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Steelers |
7 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 21 |
Jaguars |
7 |
10 |
3 | 10 | 30 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- JAC – Jimmy Smith 11-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 12:36. Jaguars 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 5:30.
- JAC – Mike Hollis 20-yard field goal, 0:04. Jaguars 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 33 yards, 1:17.
Third quarter
- PIT – Yancy Thigpen 11-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Norm Johnson kick), 7:21. Jaguars 17–14. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 7:39.
- JAC – Mike Hollis 45-yard field goal, 3:25. Jaguars 20–14. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:56.
Fourth quarter
- PIT – Mark Bruener 1-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Norm Johnson kick), 14:56. Steelers 21–20. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:29.
- JAC – Mike Hollis 27-yard field goal, 4:14. Jaguars 23–21. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 6:14.
- JAC – Chris Hudson 58-yard blocked field goal return (Mike Hollis kick), 0:00. Jaguars 30–21.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week Four: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Pittsburgh Steelers
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: September 22, 1997
- Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C)
- Game attendance: 73,016
- Recap
Week 5: at Washington Redskins
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Jaguars |
6 |
3 |
3 | 0 | 12 |
Redskins |
0 |
14 |
0 | 10 | 24 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
- JAC – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal, 13:16. Jaguars 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:25.
- JAC – Mike Hollis 42-yard field goal, 1:34. Jaguars 6–0. Drive: 13 plays, 52 yards, 6:24.
Second quarter
- JAC – Mike Hollis 25-yard field goal, 12:08. Jaguars 9–0. Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards, 2:52.
- WSH – Leslie Shepherd 10-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick), 5:55. Jaguars 9–7. Drive: 6 plays, 28 yards, 3:16.
- WSH – Jamie Asher 8-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick), 1:16. Redskins 14–9. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:12.
Third quarter
- JAC – Mike Hollis 47-yard field goal, 3:28. Redskins 14–12. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 3:59.
Fourth quarter
- WSH – Scott Blanton 47-yard field goal, 11:55. Redskins 17–12. Drive: 14 plays, 55 yards, 6:33.
- WSH – Leslie Sheppard 13-yard pass from Gus Frerotte (Scott Blanton kick), 5:48. Redskins 24–12. Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 3:04.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 6: vs Cincinnati Bengals
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Bengals |
0 |
7 |
6 | 0 | 13 |
Jaguars |
7 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 21 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- JAC – James Stewart 7-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 11:08. Jaguars 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 3:53.
- CIN – Jeff Blake 8-yard run (kick failed), 4:16. Jaguars 14–13. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 6:52.
Fourth quarter
- JAC – Willie Jackson 12-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 8:49. Jaguars 21–13. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 5:43.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- CIN – Jeff Blake – 11 rushes, 75 yards, TD
- JAC – Natrone Means – 15 rushes, 75 yards
- Top receivers
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Week Six: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati Bengals
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: October 5, 1997
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C)
- Game attendance: 67,128
- Recap
Week 7: vs Philadelphia Eagles
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Eagles |
0 |
7 |
0 | 14 | 21 |
Jaguars |
21 |
0 |
7 | 10 | 38 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
- JAC – James Stewart 7-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:58. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:02.
- JAC – James Stewart 8-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 4:02. Jaguars 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 3:22.
- JAC – James Stewart 2-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 1:42. Jaguars 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 1:08.
Second quarter
Third quarter
- JAC – James Stewart 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 3:29. Jaguars 28–7. Drive: 3 plays, 38 yards, 1:31.
Fourth quarter
- JAC – James Stewart 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 12:26. Jaguars 35–7. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 2:44.
- PHI – Irving Fryar 9-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Chris Boniol kick), 5:39. Jaguars 35–14. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 6:47.
- PHI – Irving Fryar 15-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Chris Boniol kick), 2:36. Jaguars 35–21. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 3:03.
- JAC – Mike Hollis 38-yard field goal, 0:55. Jaguars 38–21. Drive: 6 plays, 11 yards, 1:41.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Close
Week Seven: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Philadelphia Eagles
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: October 12, 1997
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C)
- Game attendance: 69,150
- Recap
Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Jaguars |
7 |
0 |
7 | 8 | 22 |
Redskins |
3 |
10 |
6 | 7 | 26 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
- DAL – Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Richie Cunningham kick), 6:36. Cowboys 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:27.
- DAL – Richie Cunningham 21-yard field goal, 1:11. Cowboys 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:38.
Third quarter
- DAL – Stepfret Williams 2-yard pass from Troy Aikman (pass failed), 7:41. Cowboys 19–7. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 5:12.
- JAC – Keenan McCardell 5-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 3:22. Cowboys 19–14. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 4:19.
Fourth quarter
- JAC – Derek Brown 2-yard pass from Mark Brunell (pass succeeded), 9:06. Jaguars 22–19. Drive: 13 plays, 64 yards, 7:32.
- DAL – Herschel Walker 64-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick), 6:27. Cowboys 25–22. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 2:39.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week Eight: Dallas Cowboys vs Jacksonville Jaguars
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
- Date: October 19, 1997
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
- Game attendance: 64,464
- Recap
Standings
More information AFC Central, W ...
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Schedule
More information Round, Date ...
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Game summaries
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs (4) Denver Broncos
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Jaguars |
0 |
7 |
10 | 0 | 17 |
Broncos |
14 |
7 |
0 | 21 | 42 |
Close
After upsetting the Broncos in the playoffs in the previous year, the Jaguars fell short in the re-match. John Elway lead the Broncos to a 42–17 win over the visiting Jaguars, throwing for 223 yards and a touchdown. Mark Brunell was 18 for 32 for 203 yards, but had no touchdowns on top of an interception. Similar to the year before when the Broncos could not stop Natrone Means and the Jaguars running game, the Jaguars struggled all game to contain the Broncos running attack. Terrell Davis carried 31 times for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Nonetheless, the game was close throughout, as the Broncos led by only 21-17 late in the 3rd. But the Broncos would score 21 unanswered points in the 4th quarter, ending the Jaguars season.
- Mike Hollis, franchise record (tied), most field goals in one game, 5 field goals (November 30, 1997)[1]
- Mike Hollis, franchise record, most field goals in one season (tied), 31 field goals[1]
- Mike Hollis, franchise record, most points in one season, 134 points[1]
- James Stewart, franchise record, most touchdowns in one game, 5 touchdowns (October 12, 1997)[1]
- James Stewart, franchise record, most points in one game, 30 points (October 12, 1997)[1]
NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 52