1977 Los Angeles Rams: The End Of The Knox Era
When a fifth straight playoff appearance ended in a disappointing and muddy playoff loss, the Knox era in Los Angeles ended. Read the game-by-game narrative.
1977 NFL
1977 Oakland Raiders: A Repeat Bid Comes Up Just Short
After a decade of frustration, marked by excellent teams and playoff losses, the Raiders had gotten over the top with a Super Bowl title in 1976. The 1977 Oakland Raiders continued to contend and extended their streak of consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances to five. But they came up short of a repeat championship. The […]
1977 Pittsburgh Steelers: Modest Regression In A Dynastic Decade
The 1977 Pittsburgh Steelers were looking to get back on top of the football world. After Super Bowl victories in 1974 and 1975, the Steelers had “slipped” to losing in the AFC Championship Game in 1976. But that loss had been riddled with injuries and Pittsburgh still had the best defense in the league. There […]
1977 Dallas Cowboys: Tom Landry Gets Another Ring
… it was the defense that owned every key moment of the Dallas season. They were anchored up front by end Harvey Martin, who would win Defensive Player of the Year. Other All-Pros included tackle Randy White and safeties Charley Waters and Cliff Harris
1977 New England Patriots: A Late Playoff Bid Comes Up Short
After coming off a breakout year that saw them make the playoffs and come within one questionable call of advancing, the 1977 New England Patriots had high expectations. They just took too long to get started, with a late surge coming up short in an era when only four teams per conference made the playoffs. […]
1977 Minnesota Vikings: A Division Title Amidst Decline
The 1977 Minnesota Vikings were a good team that won a division title, their ninth in ten years. They reached the NFC Championship Game. But there were also unmistakable signs of decline setting for the franchise that had been the NFC’s best from 1969-76, reaching four Super Bowls, including three of the past four
Walter Payton Carries The 1977 Chicago Bears To A Long-Awaited Playoff Berth
Chicago was led by running back Walter Payton, the dynamic 24-year old running back who rolled up 1,852 yards in what was still a 14-game schedule (the league went to 16 games in 1978). Payton won the MVP award as he carried an offense that ranked 13th in the NFL in points scored.