1997 Chicago Bears season
The 1997 Chicago Bears season was their 78th Regular [Season (NFL)|regular season] completed in the National Football League. The team finished with a 4–12 record under head coach Dave Wannstedt and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year. It was the team's first 4-win season since they posted a 4–10 record in 1975 [Chicago Bears season|1975]. It was also the second time where the Bears were the only team from the NFC Central to not make the playoffs. The first time this scenario occurred was in the strike-shortened 1982 season. The Bears defense struggled mightily throughout the season, allowing a franchise-record 421 points in 1997.