1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
| 1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Tony Dungy |
| General manager | Rich McKay |
| Owner | Malcolm Glazer |
| Home field | Houlihan's Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–6 |
| Division place | 2nd NFC Central |
| Playoff finish |
Won Wild Card Playoffs (Lions) 20–10 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Packers) 7–21 |
| Pro Bowlers |
9
|
| AP All-Pros | FB Mike Alstott, MLB Hardy Nickerson |
| Team MVP | QB Trent Dilfer |
The 1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the team's 22nd in the National Football League. Having gone 6–10 season the previous season, Tampa Bay finished second in the NFC Central, and secured their first playoff berth since the strike-shortened 1982 season.
The 1997 season was notable for several reasons. The club retired their orange and white "Buccaneer Bruce" color scheme and logo, replacing it with a new more marketable and intimidating image. The brand new pewter and red uniforms featured a new "skulls and swords" logo, new fonts, and prominent end zone markings. The 1997 season would also be their final season playing in Houlihan's Stadium. Next door, the much-anticipated brand new Raymond James Stadium was under construction. It was also Ronde Barber's first season with the team.
During the regular season, the Buccaneers surprised many experts by starting off with a 5–0 record. By the end of the season, they had amassed a record of 10–6 and went to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. After beating the Detroit Lions 20–10 in the Wild Card Game, they lost to the eventual NFC champions, the Green Bay Packers, 21–7 in the Divisional Playoff Game.
Head coach Tony Dungy was named NFL Coach of the Year.
The "new-look" Buccaneers opened the season against San Francisco. It was the first game for new 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci, and it was the start of the second season for Tampa Bay's Tony Dungy.
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