# 1997 Chicago Bears season

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

1997 Chicago Bears draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 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 ||||||

## 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 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 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 :
| viewtalkedit | 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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 :