1977 NFL season

1977 National Football League season

The 1977 NFL season was the 58th regular season of the National Football League. The two second year expansion teams switched conferences, with the Seattle Seahawks moving from the NFC West to the AFC West, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers transferring from the AFC West to the NFC Central. Instead of a traditional Thanksgiving Day game hosted by the Dallas Cowboys, the league scheduled a Miami Dolphins at St. Louis Cardinals contest. This would be only the second season since 1966 that the Cowboys did not play on that holiday. It marked the last time that the Cowboys did not play on Thanksgiving. 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. It was also the final season of the eight team playoff field in the NFL, before going to ten the following season. The 1977 season is considered the last season of the "Dead Ball Era" of professional football (1970 to 1977). The 17.2 average points scored per team per game was the lowest since 1942, and it was the only post merger NFL season where no player surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. For 1978, the league made significant changes to allow greater offensive production. The season ended with Super Bowl XII when the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos.

May 2, 1977: Earl Morrall, the oldest player on the 1972 Miami Dolphins championship roster announced his retirement from professional football.

The 1977 NFL Draft was held from May 3 to 4, 1977 at New York City's Roosevelt Hotel. With the first pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected running back Ricky Bell from the University of Southern California.

Tommy Bell retired after the 1976 season. His line judge, Jerry Markbreit, was named his successor. Bell worked two Super Bowls, III and VII. Markbreit would work four Super Bowls, and is (as of 2022) the only referee to achieve this.

The head slap is outlawed. This change is referred to as the "Deacon Jones Rule"; the Los Angeles Rams' defensive end frequently used this technique. Any shoe worn by a player with an artificial limb must have a kicking surface that conforms to that of a normal kicking shoe. while the Dolphins would set a franchise record for most points scored in one game with 55. Of note, the Dolphins would score eight touchdowns and accumulate 34 first downs.

Baltimore finished ahead of Miami in the AFC East based on better conference record (9–3 to Dolphins' 8–4). N. Y. Jets finished ahead of Buffalo in the AFC East based on better point differential in head to head competition (1 point). Houston finished ahead of Cincinnati in the AFC Central based on better point differential in head to head competition (2 points). Minnesota finished ahead of Chicago in the NFC Central based on better point differential in head to head competition (3 points). 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).

Most Valuable PlayerWalter Payton, running back, ChicagoCoach of the YearRed Miller, DenverOffensive Player of the YearWalter Payton, running back, ChicagoDefensive Player of the YearHarvey Martin, defensive end, DallasOffensive Rookie of the YearTony Dorsett, running back, DallasDefensive Rookie of the YearA. J. Duhe, defensive end, MiamiMan of the YearWalter Payton, running back, ChicagoComeback Player of the YearCraig Morton, quarterback, DenverSuper Bowl Most Valuable PlayerRandy White, defensive tackle, Dallas and Harvey Martin, defensive end, Dallas

Atlanta Falcons: Leeman Bennett was named permanent head coach. Marion Campbell was fired after a 1 4 start to the 1976 season. General manager Pat Peppler served as interim for the rest of that season. Buffalo Bills: Jim Ringo was named permanent head coach. He was named interim head coach when Lou Saban resigned after the fifth game of the 1976 season. Denver Broncos: John Ralston was replaced by Red Miller. Detroit Lions: Tommy Hudspeth began his first full season as head coach. He replaced Rick Forzano, who left after the team lost three of its first four games in 1976. New York Giants: John McVay began his first season as head coach. He replaced Bill Arnsparger, who was fired after the team lost its first seven games in 1976. New York Jets: Walt Michaels became the Jets' new head coach. Lou Holtz resigned prior to the last game of the 1976 season, and Mike Holovak served as interim for the team's final game. San Francisco 49ers: Ken Meyer replaced the fired Monte Clark.

Cleveland Browns: Forrest Gregg was fired before the last game of the season. Defensive coordinator Dick Modzelewski served as interim during the team's final game. Kansas City Chiefs: After an 0–5 start, Paul Wiggin was fired. Defensive backs coach Tom Bettis was named interim.

The Pittsburgh Steelers changed from gray to black facemasks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the color scheme of the numbers on their white jerseys. In 1976, the numbers were orange with red trim; in 1977, they became red with orange trim to increase visibility.

This was the fourth and final year under the league's broadcast contracts with ABC, CBS, and NBC to televise Monday Night Football, the NFC package, and the AFC package, respectively. All three networks renewed their deals for another four years. Don Meredith returned to ABC after spending three seasons at NBC, while Alex Karras returned to his acting career. John Brodie was promoted to replace Meredith as NBC's lead color commentator, while Merlin Olsen replaced Brodie on the network's #2 team. NBC also renamed its pregame show, referring to it as NFL '77 to start and updating the program's title every new season.