| 1977 National Football League season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular season | |||
| Duration | September 18, 1977 - December 18, 1977 | ||
| Playoffs | |||
| Start date | December 24, 1977 | ||
| AFC Champions | Denver Broncos | ||
| NFC Champions | Dallas Cowboys | ||
| Super Bowl XII | |||
| Date | January 15, 1978 | ||
| Site | Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana | ||
| Champions | Dallas Cowboys | ||
| Pro Bowl | |||
| Date | January 23, 1978 | ||
National Football League seasons
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The 1977 NFL season was the 58th regular season of the National Football League. Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays The NFL playoffs following the 1977 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XII. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays The American Football Conference Championship Game, otherwise known as AFC Championship Game, is one of the two Semi-final matches of the National Football League The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. The NFC Championship Game is one of the two Semi-final matches of the National Football League the largest professional American football league in the United The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National Super Bowl XII was an American football game played on January 15, 1978 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans Louisiana Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The Louisiana Superdome, often informally referred to simply as the New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National The 1978 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was played on January 23, 1978 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa Bay Florida. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) This is a list of seasons of the National Football League. 1920s 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 The 1976 NFL season was the 57th Regular season of the National Football League. The 1978 NFL season was the 59th Regular season of the National Football League. In an organised Sports league, a season is the portion of one Year in which regulated Games of the sport are in session The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The Seattle Seahawks were placed in the AFC West while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were slotted in the NFC Central. The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle Washington, USA The AFC West is a division of the National Football League 's American Football Conference. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (often shortened as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa Florida. The NFC North is a division of the National Football League 's National Football Conference.
Instead of a traditional Thanksgiving Day game hosted by the Dallas Cowboys, the league scheduled a Miami Dolphins at St. Louis Cardinals contest. Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American Holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami Florida Metropolitan Area. The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. This would be only the second season since 1966 that the Cowboys did not play on that holiday.
This was the last NFL regular season with 14 games. The regular season was expanded to 16 games in 1978, with the preseason reduced from six games to four. The 1978 NFL season was the 59th Regular season of the National Football League.
The season ended with Super Bowl XII when the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos. Super Bowl XII was an American football game played on January 15, 1978 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans Louisiana The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado.
Contents |
Major rule changes
- The head slap is outlawed. This change is referred to as the "Deacon Jones Rule"; the Rams defensive end frequently used this technique. David D "Deacon" Jones (born December 9, 1938 in Eatonville, Florida) is a former American football Defensive end The St Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St Defensive end ( DE) is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.
- Any shoe worn by a player with an artificial limb must have a kicking surface that conforms to that of a normal kicking shoe. Informally referred to as the "Tom Dempsey Rule. Thomas John Dempsey (born January 12, 1947 in Milwaukee Wisconsin) is a former American football Placekicker in the NFL " Dempsey is a record-breaking placekicker whose modified shoe (having a flattened and enlarged toe area) on his deformed kicking foot generated controversy during his career.
- Defenders are only permitted to make contact with receivers once.
- Defenders are not allowed to make contact with an opponent above the shoulders with the palms of their hands, except to ward him off the line.
- Offensive linemen are not allowed to thrust their hands to a defender's neck, face, or head.
- Wide receivers are not allowed to clip defenders.
Final standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against
| Qualified for playoffs |
| AFC East | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Colts | 10 | 4 | 0 | . The AFC East is a division of the National Football League 's American Football Conference. The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis Indiana. 714 | 295 | 221 |
| Miami Dolphins | 10 | 4 | 0 | . The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami Florida Metropolitan Area. 714 | 313 | 197 |
| New England Patriots | 9 | 5 | 0 | . The New England Patriots, commonly called the " Pats " by sports writers and fans are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston 643 | 278 | 217 |
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 11 | 0 | . The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo New York Metropolitan area, playing seven of their home games in the suburb 214 | 160 | 313 |
| New York Jets | 3 | 11 | 0 | . The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. 214 | 191 | 300 |
| AFC Central | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 9 | 5 | 0 | . The AFC Central was a division of the National Football League 's American Football Conference from 1970 to 2001 643 | 283 | 243 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 8 | 6 | 0 | . The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. 571 | 238 | 235 |
| Houston Oilers | 8 | 6 | 0 | . The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville Tennessee. 571 | 299 | 230 |
| Cleveland Browns | 6 | 8 | 0 | . The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. 429 | 269 | 267 |
| AFC West | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
| Denver Broncos | 12 | 2 | 0 | . The AFC West is a division of the National Football League 's American Football Conference. The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. 857 | 274 | 148 |
| Oakland Raiders | 11 | 3 | 0 | . The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in the city of Oakland California. 786 | 351 | 230 |
| San Diego Chargers | 7 | 7 | 0 | . The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego California. 500 | 222 | 205 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 5 | 9 | 0 | . The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle Washington, USA 357 | 282 | 373 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | 12 | 0 | . The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City Missouri. 143 | 225 | 349 |
| NFC East | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 12 | 2 | 0 | . The NFC East is a division of the National Football League 's National Football Conference. The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National 857 | 345 | 212 |
| Washington Redskins | 9 | 5 | 0 | . The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team based in the Washington D 643 | 196 | 189 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 7 | 7 | 0 | . The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. 500 | 272 | 287 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 5 | 9 | 0 | . The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 357 | 220 | 207 |
| New York Giants | 5 | 9 | 0 | . The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York City suburb of East Rutherford New Jersey. 357 | 181 | 265 |
| NFC Central | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
| Minnesota Vikings | 9 | 5 | 0 | . The NFC North is a division of the National Football League 's National Football Conference. The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based out of Minneapolis Minnesota. 643 | 231 | 227 |
| Chicago Bears | 9 | 5 | 0 | . The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. 643 | 255 | 253 |
| Detroit Lions | 6 | 8 | 0 | . The Detroit Lions are an American football team based in Detroit Michigan. 429 | 183 | 252 |
| Green Bay Packers | 4 | 10 | 0 | . The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay Wisconsin. 286 | 134 | 219 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 12 | 0 | . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (often shortened as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa Florida. 143 | 103 | 223 |
| NFC West | ||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
| Los Angeles Rams | 10 | 4 | 0 | . The NFC West is a division of the National Football League 's National Football Conference. The St Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St 714 | 302 | 146 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 7 | 0 | . The Atlanta Falcons are an American football team based in Atlanta Georgia. 500 | 179 | 129 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 5 | 9 | 0 | . The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team 357 | 220 | 260 |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 11 | 0 | . The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans Louisiana. 214 | 232 | 336 |
Tiebreakers
- Baltimore finished ahead of Miami in the AFC EAST based on better conference record (9-3 to Dolphins' 8-4).
- Buffalo finished ahead of N. Y. Jets in the AFC East based on better strength of schedule (. 582 to Jets' . 536).
- Cincinnati finished ahead of Houston in the AFC Central based on better division record (6-3 to Oilers' 5-4).
- Minnesota finished ahead of Chicago in the NFC Central based on fewer losses by common opponents (11 losses to 14 losses by the Bears' opponents).
- Chicago won the NFC Wild Card over Washington based on better net points in conference games (48 to Redskins' 4).
- Philadelphia finished ahead of N. Y. Giants in the NFC East based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).
Playoffs
| Divisional Playoffs | Conf. The NFL playoffs following the 1977 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XII. Championship Games | Super Bowl XII | ||||||||
| December 26 - L.A. Memorial Coliseum | ||||||||||
| 3) Minnesota Vikings | 14 | |||||||||
| January 1 - Texas Stadium | ||||||||||
| 2) Los Angeles Rams | 7 | |||||||||
| 3) Minnesota Vikings | 6 | |||||||||
| December 26 - Texas Stadium | ||||||||||
| 1) Dallas Cowboys | 23 | |||||||||
| 4) Chicago Bears | 7 | |||||||||
| January 15 - Louisiana Superdome | ||||||||||
| 1) Dallas Cowboys | 37 | |||||||||
| N1) Dallas Cowboys | 27 | |||||||||
| December 24 - Memorial Stadium | ||||||||||
| A1) Denver Broncos | 10 | |||||||||
| 4) Oakland Raiders (2OT) | 37 | |||||||||
| January 1 - Mile High Stadium | ||||||||||
| 2)* Baltimore Colts | 31 | |||||||||
| 4) Oakland Raiders | 17 | |||||||||
| December 24 - Mile High Stadium | ||||||||||
| 1) Denver Broncos | 20 | |||||||||
| 3) Pittsburgh Steelers | 21 | |||||||||
| 1)* Denver Broncos | 34 | |||||||||
*Denver (the AFC 1 seed) did not play Oakland (the 4 seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division. Super Bowl XII was an American football game played on January 15, 1978 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans Louisiana Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports Stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles California at Exposition The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based out of Minneapolis Minnesota. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Texas Stadium is a football Stadium in Irving Texas, a Suburb of Dallas. The St Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based out of Minneapolis Minnesota. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Texas Stadium is a football Stadium in Irving Texas, a Suburb of Dallas. The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign The Louisiana Superdome, often informally referred to simply as the The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC in the National Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Memorial Stadium was a Sports Stadium in Baltimore Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in the city of Oakland California. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Mile High Stadium (known as Bears Stadium until 1968) was a Baseball, Soccer and football stadium that stood in Denver The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis Indiana. The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in the city of Oakland California. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Mile High Stadium (known as Bears Stadium until 1968) was a Baseball, Soccer and football stadium that stood in Denver The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado.
References
- NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 1-932994-36-X)
- NFL History 1971-1980 (Last accessed December 4, 2005)
- 1977 season in details
- Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (ISBN 0-06-270174-6)
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