# 1997 Jacksonville Jaguars season

The 1997 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 3rd season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 3rd season under the leadership of general manager and 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

1997 Jacksonville Jaguars draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 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 |

## 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 | Bye | Bye | Bye | 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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

| 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 :
| viewtalkedit | 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
### 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

| 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)