1997_Kansas_City_Chiefs_season
1997 Kansas City Chiefs season
NFL team season
The 1997 season was the Kansas City Chiefs' 28th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 38th overall. The Chiefs improved on their 9–7 record from 1996, and finished with a 13–3 record and as AFC West division champions. The Rich Gannon–Elvis Grbac quarterback controversy was a focal point of the team's season.[1] It brewed throughout the entire season and arguably cost the Chiefs a victory in the playoffs. The Chiefs were defeated by division rival and eventual Super Bowl champion, Denver Broncos, in the 1997 playoffs. 1997 was the final season the Chiefs appeared in the playoffs during the 1990s and for the next several seasons, they fell into futility. They did not return to the playoffs until 2003.
Quick Facts Kansas City Chiefs season, Owner ...
| 1997 Kansas City Chiefs season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Lamar Hunt |
| General manager | Carl Peterson |
| Head coach | Marty Schottenheimer |
| Home field | Arrowhead Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 13–3 |
| Division place | 1st AFC West |
| Playoff finish | Lost Divisional Playoffs (vs. Broncos) 10–14 |
| Pro Bowlers | 6 |
| AP All-Pros | 3
|
| |
Close
This was the last season that head coach Marty Schottenheimer would coach the team into the playoffs, with the loss to Denver in the divisional round 14–10 capping off many years of disappointing playoff struggles. This was also the final season for future Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen.
Draft
Main article: 1997 NFL draft
More information Round, Pick ...
| 1997 Kansas City Chiefs draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | Tony Gonzalez * † | Tight end | California | |
| 2 | 47 | Kevin Lockett | Wide receiver | Kansas State | |
| 4 | 110 | Pat Barnes | Quarterback | California | |
| 6 | 163 | June Henley | Running back | Kansas | |
| 6 | 195 | Isaac Byrd | Wide receiver | Kansas | |
| 7 | 214 | Nathan Parks | Offensive tackle | Stanford | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career | |||||
Close
Staff
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
|
Reserve lists
53 active, 2 inactive, 5 practice squad
| ||||||
More information Week, Date ...
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 2 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 14–28 | 0–1 | Arrowhead Stadium | 72,726 | Recap |
| 2 | August 9 | at New Orleans Saints | L 7–26 | 0–2 | Louisiana Superdome | 55,211 | Recap |
| 3 | August 14 | Carolina Panthers | W 30–10 | 1–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,972 | Recap |
| 4 | August 22 | at St. Louis Rams | L 13–14 | 1–3 | Trans World Dome | 63,936 | Recap |
Close
Schedule
More information Week, Date ...
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 31 | at Denver Broncos | L 3–19 | 0–1 | Mile High Stadium | 75,600 | Recap |
| 2 | September 8 | at Oakland Raiders | W 28–27 | 1–1 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 61,523 | Recap |
| 3 | September 14 | Buffalo Bills | W 22–16 | 2–1 | Arrowhead Stadium | 78,169 | Recap |
| 4 | September 21 | at Carolina Panthers | W 35–14 | 3–1 | Ericsson Stadium | 67,402 | Recap |
| 5 | September 28 | Seattle Seahawks | W 20–17 (OT) | 4–1 | Arrowhead Stadium | 77,877 | Recap |
| 6 | October 5 | at Miami Dolphins | L 14–17 | 4–2 | Pro Player Stadium | 71,794 | Recap |
| 7 | Bye | ||||||
| 8 | October 16 | San Diego Chargers | W 31–3 | 5–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | 77,196 | Recap |
| 9 | October 26 | at St. Louis Rams | W 28–20 | 6–2 | Trans World Dome | 64,864 | Recap |
| 10 | November 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 13–10 | 7–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | 78,301 | Recap |
| 11 | November 9 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | L 10–24 | 7–3 | Alltel Stadium | 70,444 | Recap |
| 12 | November 16 | Denver Broncos | W 24–22 | 8–3 | Arrowhead Stadium | 77,963 | Recap |
| 13 | November 23 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 19–14 | 9–3 | Kingdome | 66,264 | Recap |
| 14 | November 30 | San Francisco 49ers | W 44–9 | 10–3 | Arrowhead Stadium | 77,535 | Recap |
| 15 | December 7 | Oakland Raiders | W 30–0 | 11–3 | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,379 | Recap |
| 16 | December 14 | at San Diego Chargers | W 29–7 | 12–3 | Qualcomm Stadium | 54,594 | Recap |
| 17 | December 21 | New Orleans Saints | W 25–13 | 13–3 | Arrowhead Stadium | 66,772 | Recap |
Close
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Denver Broncos
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Broncos | 3 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 19 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
- Date: August 31
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT/2:00 p.m. MDT
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C)
- Game attendance: 75,600
- Referee: Ed Hochuli
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire, Phil Simms and Jim Gray
- Recap, Game Book
Week 2: at Oakland Raiders
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 3 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 28 |
| Raiders | 7 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 27 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
- Date: September 8
- Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT/6:00 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: Partly cloudy, 74 °F (23 °C)
- Game attendance: 61,523
- Referee: Gary Lane
- TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf and Lynn Swann
- Recap, Game Book
Week 3: vs. Buffalo Bills
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 16 |
| Chiefs | 6 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 22 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 3: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: September 14
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 77 °F (25 °C)
- Game attendance: 78,169
- Referee: Tom White
- TV announcers (NBC): Mike Breen and James Lofton
- Recap, Game Book
Week 4: at Carolina Panthers
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
| Panthers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
More information Period, OT ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 5: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: September 28
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 79 °F (26 °C)
- Game attendance: 77,877
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Jim Mora
- Recap, Game Book
Week 6: at Miami Dolphins
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida
- Date: October 5
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C)
- Game attendance: 71,794
- Referee: Johnny Grier
- TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones, Bob Trumpy and Randy Cross
- Recap, Game Book
Week 8: vs. San Diego Chargers
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 31 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 8: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: October 16
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 61 °F (16 °C)
- Game attendance: 77,196
- Referee: Dick Hantak
- TV announcers (TNT): Verne Lundquist, Pat Haden, Mark May and Craig Sager
- Recap, Game Book
Week 9: at St. Louis Rams
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 6 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 28 |
| Rams | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 20 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri
- Date: October 26
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 64,864
- Referee: Bob McElwee
- TV announcers (NBC): Joel Meyers and Beasley Reece
- Recap, Game Book
Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 10: Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Week 11: at Jacksonville Jaguars
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Jaguars | 7 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida
- Date: November 9
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Clear, 59 °F (15 °C)
- Game attendance: 70,444
- Referee: Jerry Markbreit
- TV announcers (NBC): Dan Hicks, Jim Kelly and James Lofton
- Recap, Game Book
Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 3 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 22 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 12: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 16
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Clear and cold, 31 °F (−1 °C)
- Game attendance: 77,963
- Referee: Bill Carollo
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg, Paul Maguire, Phil Simms and Jim Gray
- Recap, Game Book
Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 7 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 19 |
| Seahawks | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington
- Date: November 23
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 66,264
- Referee: Larry Nemmers
- TV announcers (NBC): Mike Breen and James Lofton
- Recap, Game Book
Week 14: vs. San Francisco 49ers
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 21 | 0 | 16 | 44 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 14: San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 30
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 45 °F (7 °C)
- Game attendance: 77,535
- Referee: Gary Lane
- TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Game Book
Week 15: vs. Oakland Raiders
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chiefs | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 30 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 16: at San Diego Chargers
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 29 |
| Chargers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 16: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
- Date: December 14
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: Clear and sunny, 68 °F (20 °C)
- Game attendance: 54,594
- Referee: Bernie Kukar
- TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Randy Cross
- Recap, Game Book
Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| Chiefs | 3 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 25 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
Week 17: New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 21
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Drizzle, 32 °F (0 °C)
- Game attendance: 54,594
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck and Bill Maas
- Recap, Game Book
Standings
More information AFC West, W ...
| AFC West | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
Close
See also: 1997–98 NFL playoffs
Schedule
More information Round, Date ...
| Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card | First-round bye | ||||||
| Divisional | January 4, 1998 | Denver Broncos (4) | L 10–14 | 0–1 | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,965 | Recap |
Close
Game summaries
AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (4) Denver Broncos
More information Period, Total ...
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Close
More information Game information ...
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Close
AFC Divisional Playoffs: (4) Denver Broncos at (1) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Gretz, Bob. Quarterbacks and controversy Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine KCChiefs.com, November 1, 2006
- "1997 Kansas City Chiefs draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2014.