1997 Dallas Cowboys season
| 1997 Dallas Cowboys season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jerry Jones |
| General manager | Jerry Jones |
| Head coach | Barry Switzer |
| Offensive coordinator | Ernie Zampese |
| Defensive coordinator | Dave Campo |
| Home stadium | Texas Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–10 |
| Division place | 4th NFC East |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | G Larry Allen G Nate Newton CB Deion Sanders (did not play) S Darren Woodson (did not play) |
| Uniform | |
The 1997 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 38th season in the National Football League (NFL) and was its fourth under head coach Barry Switzer. Before the season, the Cowboys were considered among the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XXXII. Instead, the team regressed significantly.
The Cowboys not only failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 1996, they finished with a 6-10 record. It was their first losing season since 1990, and as a result the Cowboys failed to qualify for the playoffs after six consecutive seasons of postseason appearances, including their three Super Bowl victories during the decade. A series of countless off-the-field incidents, lack of discipline, and rumors of infighting between quarterback Troy Aikman and head coach Barry Switzer plagued the team throughout the year. Switzer would resign from the Cowboys at the end of the campaign.