1997 Jacksonville Jaguars season

1997 Jacksonville Jaguars season
Head coach	Tom Coughlin
Home field	Alltel Stadium
Results
Record	11–5
Division place	2nd AFC Central
Playoff finish	Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Broncos) 17–42
Pro Bowlers	T Tony Boselli QB Mark Brunell WR Jimmy Smith P Bryan Barker K Mike Hollis
Uniform

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.

The team also made several 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.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1997 NFL draft

1997 Jacksonville Jaguars draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	21	Renaldo Wynn	Defensive tackle	Notre Dame
2	50	Mike Logan	Cornerback	West Virginia
3	79	James Hamilton	Linebacker	North Carolina
4	114	Seth Payne	Defensive tackle	Cornell
5	147	Damon Jones	Tight end	Southern Illinois
6	184	Daimon Shelton	Running back	Sacramento State
7	221	Jon Hesse	Linebacker	Nebraska
Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

1997 Undrafted free agents of note

Player	Position	College
Curtis Anderson	Cornerback	Pittsburgh
Jamie Baisley	Linerbacker	Indiana
Isaac Curtis	Tight end	Kentucky
Kevin Devine	Cornerback	California
Todd Fordham	Tackle	Florida State
Lance Funderburk	Quarterback	Valdosta State
James Kidd	Wide receiver	Colorado
Jabbar Threats	Defensive end	Michigan State

Staff

1997 Jacksonville Jaguars staff

Front office Chairman/president/chief executive officer – Wayne Weaver Senior vice president of football operations – Michael Huyghue Director of college scouting – Rick Reiprish Director of pro personnel – Ron Hill Assistant director of pro personnel – Fran Foley College scout – Louis Clark College scout - Gene Smith College scout – Rick Mueller Head coaches Head coach – Tom Coughlin Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Chris Palmer Running backs – Jerald Ingram Wide receivers – Pete Carmichael Tight ends – Fred Hoaglin Offensive line – Mike Maser

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Dick Jauron Defensive line – John Pease Linebackers – Steve Szabo Outside linebackers – Lucious Selmon Defensive backs/secondary – Randy Edsall 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

Final roster

1997 Jacksonville Jaguars roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  8 Mark Brunell 11 Rob Johnson 16 Steve Matthews Running backs (RB) 49 Ty Hallock FB 23 Randy Jordan 20 Natrone Means 31 Daimon Shelton FB 33 James Stewart Wide receivers (WR) 84 Reggie Barlow PR 80 Willie Jackson KR 87 Keenan McCardell 81 Will Moore 82 Jimmy Smith Tight ends (TE) 86 Derek Brown 85 Rich Griffith LS 88 Damon Jones 83 Pete Mitchell

Offensive linemen (OL) 71 Tony Boselli T 62 Ben Coleman G/T 73 Brian DeMarco G 78 Todd Fordham T 68 Mark Nori G 67 Jeff Novak G 72 Leon Searcy T 76 Rich Tylski G 79 Dave Widell Defensive linemen (DL) 90 Tony Brackens DE 56 Jeff Lageman DE 91 Seth Payne DT 96 Clyde Simmons DE 99 Joel Smeenge DE 98 Jabbar Threats DE 93 Esera Tuaolo DT 95 Jose White DT 97 Renaldo Wynn DT

Linebackers (LB) 52 Brant Boyer 54 James Hamilton OLB 51 Kevin Hardy OLB 57 Jeff Kopp OLB 50 Eddie Robinson OLB 58 Bryan Schwartz MLB Defensive backs (DB) 25 Curtis Anderson CB 21 Aaron Beasley CB 45 Travis Davis SS 26 Kevin Devine CB 27 Deon Figures CB 28 Dana Hall SS 37 Chris Hudson FS 32 Mike Logan FS 29 Ricky Parker FS 41 Dave Thomas CB Special teams  4 Bryan Barker P  1 Mike Hollis K

Practice squad 75 Harold Gragg DE 59 Tyrone Hines LB 35 Malcolm Thomas RB 65 Craig Warren T Reserve 63 Michael Cheever C (IR) 92 Don Davey DT (IR) 64 John Jurkovic DT (IR) 55 Tom McManus LB (IR) 39 Chris Parker RB (IR) 94 Kelvin Pritchett DT (IR) Rookies in italics 53 active, 6 reserve, 4 practice squad

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Stadium
1	August 3	Carolina Panthers	W 23–9	1–0	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
2	August 9	at New York Giants	W 38–10	2–0	Giants Stadium
3	August 18	at San Francisco 49ers	W 28–20	3–0	3Com Park
4	August 22	at Atlanta Falcons	W 26–17	4–0	Jacksonville Municipal Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	August 31	at Baltimore Ravens	W 28–27	1–0	Memorial Stadium	61,018
2	September 7	New York Giants	W 40–13	2–0	Alltel Stadium	70,581
3	Bye
4	September 22	Pittsburgh Steelers	W 30–21	3–0	Alltel Stadium	73,016
5	September 28	at Washington Redskins	L 12–24	3–1	Jack Kent Cooke Stadium	74,421
6	October 5	Cincinnati Bengals	W 21–13	4–1	Alltel Stadium	67,128
7	October 12	Philadelphia Eagles	W 38–21	5–1	Alltel Stadium	69,150
8	October 19	at Dallas Cowboys	L 22–26	5–2	Texas Stadium	64,464
9	October 26	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 17–23 (OT)	5–3	Three Rivers Stadium	57,011
10	November 2	at Tennessee Oilers	W 30–24	6–3	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	27,208
11	November 9	Kansas City Chiefs	W 24–10	7–3	Alltel Stadium	70,444
12	November 16	Tennessee Oilers	W 17–9	8–3	Alltel Stadium	70,070
13	November 23	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 26–31	8–4	Cinergy Field	55,158
14	November 30	Baltimore Ravens	W 29–27	9–4	Alltel Stadium	63,712
15	December 7	New England Patriots	L 20–26	9–5	Alltel Stadium	73,446
16	December 14	at Buffalo Bills	W 20–14	10–5	Rich Stadium	41,231
17	December 21	at Oakland Raiders	W 20–9	11–5	Oakland Coliseum	40,032

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens

Week One: Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	17	7	0	7	31
Ravens	0	17	7	3	27

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

• Date: August 31, 1997
• Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 84 °F (29 °C)
• Game attendance: 61,018
• Referee: Dale Hamer
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter JAX – Rob Johnson 25-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:17. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:43. JAX – 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: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:58. BAL – Jermaine Lewis 42-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick), 7:16. Tied 14–14. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:24. JAX – Jimmy Smith 20-yard pass from Rob Johnson (Mike Hollis kick), 1:08. Jaguars 21–14. Drive: 5 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. JAX – Jimmy Smith 28-yard pass from Rob Johnson (Mike Hollis kick), 5:47. Jaguars 28–27. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:59. Top passers JAX – Rob Johnson – 20/24, 294 yards, 2 TD BAL – Vinny Testaverde – 24/41, 322 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT Top rushers JAX – Natrone Means – 25 rushes, 67 yards, TD BAL – Earnest Byner – 14 rushes, 63 yards Top receivers JAX – Jimmy Smith – 6 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TD BAL – Michael Jackson – 8 receptions, 143 yards, TD

Week 2: vs. New York Giants

Week Two: New York Giants at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	7	0	6	0	13
Jaguars	0	20	3	17	40

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: September 7, 1997
• Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 85 °F (29 °C)
• Game attendance: 70,581
• Referee: Dick Hantak
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter NYG – Tiki Barber 4-yard run (Brad Daluiso kick), 2:29. Giants 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 27 yards, 0:54. Second quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 29-yard field goal, 14:14. Giants 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 3:15. JAX – James Stewart 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:52. Jaguars 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:59. JAX – Natrone Means 9-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 3:12. Jaguars 17–7. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 6:32. JAX – Mike Hollis 52-yard field goal, 0:00. Jaguars 20–7. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 0:56. Third quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 36-yard field goal, 2:45. Jaguars 23–7. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 5:27. NYG – Chris Calloway 8-yard pass from Dave Brown (pass failed), 0:30. Jaguars 23–13. Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 2:15. Fourth quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 42-yard field goal, 9:43. Jaguars 26–13. Drive: 5 plays, 39 yards, 2:53. JAX – Natrone Means 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 5:56. Jaguars 33–13. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:52. JAX – James Stewart 12-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 1:55. Jaguars 40–13. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 2:40. Top passers NYG – Dave Brown – 16/35, 182 yards, TD, INT JAX – Steve Matthews – 23/35, 252 yards Top rushers NYG – Tiki Barber – 11 rushes, 17 yards, TD JAX – Natrone Means – 24 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD Top receivers NYG – Tiki Barber – 3 receptions, 43 yards JAX – Jimmy Smith – 8 receptions, 117 yards

Week 4: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Four: Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	0	7	7	21
Jaguars	7	10	3	10	30

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: September 22
• Game time: 9:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Clear, 78 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 73,016
• Referee: Gerry Austin
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter JAX – Natrone Means 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 9:48. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 5:12. PIT – Kordell Stewart 6-yard run (Norm Johnson kick), 6:10. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:38. Second quarter JAX – Jimmy Smith 11-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 12:36. Jaguars 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 5:30. JAX – Mike Hollis 20-yard field goal, 0:04. Jaguars 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 1:17. Third quarter PIT – Yancy Thigpen 4-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Norm Johnson kick), 7:21. Jaguars 17–14. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 7:39. JAX – 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. JAX – Mike Hollis 27-yard field goal, 4:14. Jaguars 23–21. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 6:14. JAX – Chris Hudson 58-yard blocked field goal return (Mike Hollis kick), 0:00. Jaguars 30–21. Top passers PIT – Kordell Stewart – 11/16, 155 yards, 2 TD, INT JAX – Mark Brunell – 24/42, 306 yards, TD Top rushers PIT – Jerome Bettis – 21 rushes, 114 yards JAX – Natrone Means – 24 rushes, 40 yards, TD Top receivers PIT – Charles Johnson – 4 receptions, 88 yards JAX – Jimmy Smith – 10 receptions, 164 yards, TD

Week 5: at Washington Redskins

Week Five: Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Redskins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	6	3	3	0	12
Redskins	0	14	0	10	24

at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, Maryland

• Date: September 28, 1997
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Cloudy and cool, 62 °F (17 °C)
• Game attendance: 74,421
• Referee: Bill Carollo
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal, 13:16. Jaguars 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:25. JAX – Mike Hollis 42-yard field goal, 1:34. Jaguars 6–0. Drive: 13 plays, 52 yards, 6:24. Second quarter JAX – 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 JAX – Mike Hollis 47-yard field goal, 3:28. Redskins 14–12. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 3:59. Fourth quarter WSH – Scott Blanton 41-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. Top passers JAX – Mark Brunell – 16/31, 294 yards, 2 INT WSH – Gus Frerotte – 16/24, 244 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers JAX – Natrone Means – 18 rushes, 62 yards WSH – Terry Allen – 36 rushes, 122 yards Top receivers JAX – Jimmy Smith – 4 receptions, 52 yards WSH – Leslie Shepherd – 4 receptions, 52 yards, 2 TD

Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Six: Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	7	6	0	13
Jaguars	7	0	7	7	21

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: October 5, 1997
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 83 °F (28 °C)
• Game attendance: 67,128
• Referee: Tom White
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter JAX – Ty Hallock 10-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 4:44. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 20 yards, 1:16. Second quarter CIN – Ki-Jana Carter 1-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick), 3:09. Tied 7–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:59. Third quarter JAX – James Stewart 7-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 11:08. Jaguars 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:52. CIN – Jeff Blake 8-yard run (kick failed), 4:16. Jaguars 14–13. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 6:52. Fourth quarter JAX – Willie Jackson 12-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 8:49. Jaguars 21–13. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 5:43. Top passers CIN – Jeff Blake – 16/27, 232 yards JAX – Mark Brunell – 14/27, 164 yards, 3 TD Top rushers CIN – Jeff Blake – 11 rushes, 75 yards, TD JAX – Natrone Means – 15 rushes, 75 yards Top receivers CIN – Carl Pickens – 3 receptions, 53 yards JAX – Jimmy Smith – 4 receptions, 57 yards

Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Seven: Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	7	0	14	21
Jaguars	21	0	7	10	38

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

Game information

First quarter JAX – James Stewart 7-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:58. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:02. JAX – James Stewart 8-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 4:02. Jaguars 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 3:22. JAX – James Stewart 2-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 1:42. Jaguars 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 1:08. Second quarter PHI – Irving Fryar 34-yard pass from Ty Detmer (Chris Boniol kick), 4:41. Jaguars 21–7. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 5:20. Third quarter JAX – James Stewart 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 3:29. Jaguars 28–7. Drive: 3 plays, 38 yards, 1:31. Fourth quarter JAX – 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. JAX – Mike Hollis 38-yard field goal, 0:55. Jaguars 38–21. Drive: 6 plays, 11 yards, 1:41. Top passers PHI – Ty Detmer – 15/27, 202 yards, TD, INT JAX – Mark Brunell – 14/19, 153 yards Top rushers PHI – Ricky Watters – 15 rushes, 44 yards JAX – James Stewart – 15 rushes, 102 yards, 5 TD Top receivers PHI – Irving Fryar – 10 receptions, 124 yards, 3 TD JAX – Keenan McCardell – 4 receptions, 64 yards

Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys

Week Eight: Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	7	0	7	8	22
Redskins	3	10	6	7	26

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

• Date: October 19, 1997
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Clear skies, 72 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 64,464
• Referee: Mike Carey
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter DAL – Richie Cunningham 37-yard field goal, 6:39. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 59 yards, 8:21. JAX – Jimmy Smith 7-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 0:51. Jaguars 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 5:48. 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. JAX – 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 JAX – Derek Brown 2-yard pass from Mark Brunell (pass succeeded), 9:06. Jaguars 22–19. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:32. DAL – Herschel Walker 64-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Richie Cunningham kick), 6:27. Cowboys 26–22. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 2:39. Top passers JAX – Mark Brunell – 21/31, 242 yards, 3 TD, INT DAL – Troy Aikman – 21/32, 262 yards, 2 TD Top rushers JAX – James Stewart – 17 rushes, 40 yards DAL – Emmit Smith – 24 rushes, 75 yards, TD Top receivers JAX – Keenan McCardell – 7 receptions, 120 yards, TD DAL – Herschel Walker – 4 receptions, 88 yards, TD

Week 9: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Nine: Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Jaguars	0	10	0	7	0	17
Steelers	0	0	7	10	6	23

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: October 26, 1997
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C)
• Game attendance: 57,011
• Recap

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter JAX – Willie Jackson 8-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 14:08. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:16. JAX – Mike Hollis 20-yard field goal, 6:24. Jaguars 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 5:09. Third quarter PIT – Courtney Hawkins 28-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Norm Johnson kick), 8:09. Jaguars 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 4:00. Fourth quarter PIT – Kordell Stewart 1-yard run (Norm Johnson kick), 12:21. Steelers 14–10. Drive: 15 plays, 92 yards, 8:48. JAX – Pete Mitchell 3-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 8:13. Jaguars 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 0:45. PIT – Norm Johnson 19-yard field goal, 2:21. Tied 17–17. Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 5:52. Overtime PIT – Jerome Bettis 17-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (Norm Johnson kick), 9:14. Steelers 23–17. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 6:46. Top passers JAX – Mark Brunell – 15/30, 214 yards, 2 TD PIT – Kordell Stewart – 25/42, 317 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers JAX – James Stewart – 16 rushes, 39 yards PIT – Jerome Bettis – 28 rushes, 99 yards Top receivers JAX – Willie Jackson – 3 receptions, 64 yards, TD PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 11 receptions, 196 yards

Week 10: at Tennessee Oilers

Week Ten: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Oilers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	17	7	3	3	30
Oilers	7	3	7	7	24

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

• Date: November 2, 1997
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C)
• Game attendance: 27,208
• Recap

Game information

First quarter TEN – Darryll Lewis 47-yard interception return (Al Del Greco kick). Oilers 7–0. JAX – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal. Oilers 7–3. Drive: 16 plays, 68 yards. JAX – Chris Hudson 32-yard fumble return (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 10–7. JAX – Pete Mitchell 6-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 17–7. Drive: 4 plays, 19 yards. Second quarter TEN – Al Del Greco 36-yard field goal. Jaguars 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards. JAX – Mark Brunell 6-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards. Third quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 30-yard field goal. Jaguars 27–10. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards. TEN – Rodney Thomas 6-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 27–17. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards. Fourth quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 37-yard field goal. Jaguars 30–17. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards. TEN – Eddie George 5-yard run (Al Del Greco kick). Jaguars 30–24. Drive: 2 plays, 23 yards. Top passers JAX – Mark Brunell – 17/31, 169 yards, TD, INT TEN – Steve McNair – 13/22, 211 yards, INT Top rushers JAX – James Stewart – 17 rushes, 99 yards TEN – Eddie George – 17 rushes, 51 yards, TD Top receivers JAX – Jimmy Smith – 5 receptions, 50 yards TEN – Willie Davis – 4 receptions, 83 yards

Week 11: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Eleven: Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	3	0	7	10
Jaguars	7	17	0	0	24

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: November 7, 1997
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
• Game attendance: 70,444
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter JAX – Pete Mitchell 5-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 11:30. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:30. Second quarter JAX – James Stewart 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 13:03. Jaguars 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 93 yards, 2:37. KC – Pete Stoyanovich 45-yard field goal, 11:00. Jaguars 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:03. JAX – Natrone Means 14-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 6:57. Jaguars 21–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:03. JAX – Mike Hollis 52-yard field goal, 1:15. Jaguars 24–3. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 0:50. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter KC – Danan Hughes 7-yard fumble return (Pete Stoyanovich kick), 9:49. Jaguars 24–10. Top passers KC – Rich Gannon – 29/50, 314 yards, 2 INT JAX – Mark Brunell – 9/20, 199 yards, TD Top rushers KC – Marcus Allen – 3 rushes, 37 yards JAX – Natrone Means – 14 rushes, 62 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Tony Gonzalez – 7 receptions, 69 yards JAX – Jimmy Smith – 4 receptions, 112 yards

Week 12: vs. Tennessee Oilers

Week Twelve: Tennessee Oilers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	3	0	6	9
Jaguars	0	7	7	3	17

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: November 16, 1997
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C)
• Game attendance: 70,070
• Recap

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter JAX – Keenan McCardell 17-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 4:20. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 2:15. TEN – Al Del Greco 35-yard field goal, 0:30. Jaguars 7–3. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:03. Third quarter JAX – Natrone Means 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 7:15. Jaguars 14–3. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:37. Fourth quarter TEN – Frank Wycheck 5-yard pass from Willie Davis (run failed), 12:41. Jaguars 14–9. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 2:25. JAX – Mike Hollis 23-yard field goal, 7:17. Jaguars 17–9. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 5:24. Top passers TEN – Steve McNair – 8/22, 162 yards, 2 INT JAX – Mark Brunell – 22/30, 267 yards, TD Top rushers TEN – Rodney Thomas – 9 rushes, 54 yards JAX – Natrone Means – 23 rushes, 64 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Frank Wycheck – 3 receptions, 70 yards, TD JAX – Jimmy Smith – 8 receptions, 158 yards

Week 13: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Thirteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	7	3	13	3	26
Bengals	21	7	3	0	31

at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Date: November 23, 1997
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C)
• Game attendance: 55,158
• Recap

Game information

First quarter CIN – Ki-Jana Carter 1-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick), 9:03. Bengals 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 5:57. CIN – Tony McGee 9-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Doug Pelfrey kick), 7:13. Bengals 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 20 yards, 1:43. JAX – Pete Mitchell 24-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 1:13. Bengals 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:42. CIN – Corey Dillon 3-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick), 0:49. Bengals 21–7. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards, 0:24. Second quarter CIN – Darnay Scott 11-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Doug Pelfrey kick), 2:14. Bengals 28–7. Drive: 17 plays, 97 yards, 8:14. JAX – Mike Hollis 21-yard field goal, 0:00. Bengals 28–10. Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards, 2:14. Third quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 35-yard field goal, 11:29. Jaguars 28–13. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:31. JAX – Natrone Means 5-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 9:56. Bengals 28–20. Drive: 1 play, 50 yards, 0:15. CIN – Doug Pelfrey 20-yard field goal, 4:54. Bengals 31–20. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:02. JAX – Mike Hollis 35-yard field goal, 2:02. Bengals 31–23. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:52. Fourth quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 25-yard field goal, 9:12. Bengals 31–26. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 3:02. Top passers JAX – Mark Brunell – 20/33, 286 yards, TD, INT CIN – Boomer Esiason – 26/36, 211 yards, 2 TD Top rushers JAX – Natrone Means – 19 rushes, 96 yards, TD CIN – Corey Dillon – 26 rushes, 88 yards, TD Top receivers JAX – Keenan McCardell – 8 receptions, 109 yards CIN – Corey Dillon – 5 receptions, 48 yards

Week 14: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Fourteen: Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ravens	7	7	0	13	27
Jaguars	3	13	3	10	29

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: November 30, 1997
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 63,712
• Recap

Game information

First quarter BAL – Antonio Langham 40-yard interception return (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 7–0. JAX – Mike Hollis 41-yard field goal. Ravens 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards. Second quarter BAL – Jermaine Lewis 15-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick). Ravens 14–3. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards. JAX – Natrone Means 3-yard run (Mike Hollis kick). Ravens 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards. JAX – Mike Hollis 42-yard field goal. Ravens 14–13. Drive: 6 plays, 25 yards. JAX – Mike Hollis 32-yard field goal. Jaguars 16–14. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards. Third quarter JAX – Damon Jones 26-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Jaguars 23–14. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards. JAX – Mike Hollis 29-yard field goal. Jaguars 26–14. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards. Fourth quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 22-yard field goal. Jaguars 29–14. Drive: 15 plays, 60 yards. BAL – Kenyon Cotton 1-yard run (Matt Stover kick). Jaguars 29–21. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards. BAL – Eric Green 7-yard pass from Eric Zeier (run failed). Jaguars 29–27. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards. Top passers BAL – Vinny Testaverde – 11/17, 101 yards, TD JAX – Mark Brunell – 22/40, 317 yards, TD, INT Top rushers BAL – Earnest Byner – 6 rushes, 26 yards JAX – James Stewart – 9 rushes, 40 yards Top receivers BAL – James Roe – 4 receptions, 80 yards JAX – Keenan McCardell – 7 receptions, 97 yards

Week 15: vs. New England Patriots

Week Fifteen: New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	13	7	3	3	26
Jaguars	0	7	0	13	20

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

• Date: December 7, 1997
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C)
• Game attendance: 73,446
• Recap

Game information

First quarter NE – Adam Vinatieri 44-yard field goal. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards. NE – Troy Brown 9-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards. NE – Adam Vinatieri 41-yard field goal. Patriots 13–0. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards. Second quarter JAX – Keenan McCardell 20-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick). Patriots 13–7. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards. NE – Ben Coates 5-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri kick). Patriots 20–7. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards. Third quarter NE – Adam Vinatieri 33-yard field goal. Patriots 23–7. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards. Fourth quarter JAX – Keenan McCardell 12-yard pass from Mark Brunell (pass failed). Patriots 23–13. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards. NE – Adam Vinatieri 39-yard field goal. Patriots 26–13. Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards. JAX – Reggie Barlow 92-yard kickoff return (Mike Hollis kick). Patriots 26–20. Top passers NE – Drew Bledsoe – 26/35, 234 yards, 2 TD JAX – Mark Brunell – 25/42, 251 yards, 2 TD Top rushers NE – Dave Meggett – 5 rushes, 22 yards JAX – Natrone Means – 15 rushes, 51 yards Top receivers NE – Vincent Brisby – 4 receptions, 58 yards JAX – Keenan McCardell – 11 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TD

Week 16: at Buffalo Bills

Week Sixteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	7	7	3	3	20
Bills	0	3	0	11	14

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

• Date: December 14, 1997
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C)
• Game attendance: 41,231
• Recap

Game information

First quarter JAX – Mark Brunell 13-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:10. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:30. Second quarter JAX – Natrone Means 2-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 12:50. Jaguars 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards, 6:29. BUF – Steve Christie 38-yard field goal, 0:02. Jaguars 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 24 yards, 0:41. Third quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 19-yard field goal, 9:41. Jaguars 17–3. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 5:19. Fourth quarter BUF – Steve Christie 31-yard field goal, 14:08. Jaguars 17–6. Drive: 14 plays, 79 yards, 5:48. JAX – Antowain Smith 1-yard run (pass succeeded), 8:03. Jaguars 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:53. JAX – Mike Hollis 47-yard field goal, 4:18. Jaguars 20–14. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 3:45. Top passers JAX – Mark Brunell – 24/32, 317 yards, INT BUF – Todd Collins – 13/26, 107 yards Top rushers JAX – Natrone Means – 22 rushes, 74 yards, TD BUF – Antowain Smith – 15 rushes, 70 yards, TD Top receivers JAX – Keenan McCardell – 6 receptions, 94 yards BUF – Eric Moulds – 6 receptions, 80 yards

Week 17: at Oakland Raiders

Week Seventeen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	14	0	0	6	20
Raiders	0	3	6	0	9

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

• Date: December 21, 1997
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 40,032
• Recap

Game information

First quarter JAX – Keenan McCardell 35-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 8:13. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:50. JAX – Damon Jones 26-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 2:43. Jaguars 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:05. Second quarter OAK – Cole Ford 33-yard field goal, 5:53. Jaguars 14–3. Drive: 16 plays, 66 yards, 8:54. Third quarter OAK – Rickey Dudley 2-yard pass from Jeff George (pass failed), 7:06. Jaguars 14–9. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 6:06. Fourth quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 19-yard field goal, 12:55. Jaguars 17–9. Drive: 13 plays, 92 yards, 6:35. JAX – Mike Hollis 23-yard field goal, 5:00. Jaguars 20–9. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 4:48. Top passers JAX – Mark Brunell – 18/27, 243 yards, 2 TD OAK – Jeff George – 24/37, 244 yards, TD Top rushers JAX – Natrone Means – 18 rushes, 80 yards OAK – Napoleon Kaufman – 21 rushes, 94 yards Top receivers JAX – Keenan McCardell – 7 receptions, 116 yards, TD OAK – Tim Brown – 14 receptions, 164 yards

Standings

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
(2) Pittsburgh Steelers	11	5	0	.688	372	307	L1
(5) Jacksonville Jaguars	11	5	0	.688	394	318	W2
Tennessee Oilers	8	8	0	.500	333	310	W1
Cincinnati Bengals	7	9	0	.438	355	405	W3
Baltimore Ravens	6	9	1	.406	326	345	L1

Postseason

Main article: 1997–98 NFL playoffs

Schedule

Round	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
Wild Card	December 27, 1997	at Denver Broncos (4)	L 17–42	0–1	Mile High Stadium	74,481

Game summaries

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (4) Denver Broncos

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Jacksonville Jaguars at (4) Denver Broncos – Game summary

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

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

• Date: December 27, 1997
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C)
• Game attendance: 74,481
• Referee: Bernie Kukar
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter DEN – Terrell Davis 2-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 7:39. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards, 7:21. DEN – Rod Smith 43-yard pass from John Elway (Jason Elam kick), 2:37. Broncos 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 4:07. Second quarter DEN – Terrell Davis 5-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 10:46. Broncos 21–0. Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards, 5:16. JAX – Natrone Means 2-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 5:09. Broncos 21–7. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 5:37. Third quarter JAX – Mike Hollis 38-yard field goal, 13:33. Broncos 21–10. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:27. JAX – Travis Davis 29-yard blocked punt return (Mike Hollis kick), 9:16. Broncos 21–17. Fourth quarter DEN – Derek Loville 25-yard run (Jason Elam kick) 13:21. Broncos 28–17. Drive: 2 plays, 48 yards, 0:37. DEN – Derek Loville 8-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 3:43. Broncos 35–17. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:28. DEN – Vaughn Hebron 6-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 1:11. Broncos 42–17. Drive: 4 plays, 15 yards, 2:04. Top passers JAX – Mark Brunell – 18/32, 203 yards, INT DEN – John Elway – 16/24, 223 yards, TD Top rushers JAX – Natrone Means – 10 rushes, 40 yards DEN – Terrell Davis – 31 rushes, 184 yards, 2 TD Top receivers JAX – Keenan McCardell – 6 receptions, 55 yards DEN – Rod Smith – 3 receptions, 99 yards, TD

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 third quarter. But the Broncos would score 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, ending the Jaguars season.

Awards and records

• Mike Hollis, franchise record (tied), most field goals in one game, 5 field goals (November 30, 1997)
• Mike Hollis, franchise record, most field goals in one season (tied), 31 field goals
• Mike Hollis, franchise record, most points in one season, 134 points
• James Stewart, franchise record, most touchdowns in one game, 5 touchdowns (October 12, 1997)
• James Stewart, franchise record, most points in one game, 30 points (October 12, 1997)

External links

• Jaguars on Pro Football Reference
• Jaguars Schedule on jt-sw.com