Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions 17 to 28
Sunday, August 31, 1997, Week 1The Atlanta Falcons played the Detroit Lions in Pontiac on Sunday, August 31, 1997, Week 1 of the 1997 season. The Lions won by a score of 28-17.
Atlanta Falcons offense
| Total yards | Pass yards | Rush yards | Turnovers | First downs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 323 | 268 | 55 | 4 | 13 |
Coaches
Head Coach: Dan Reeves Assistant Head Coach: Rich Brooks, Harold Richardson Offensive Coordinator: George Sefcik Defensive Coordinator: Rich Brooks Quarterbacks Coach: Jack Burns Wide Receivers Coach: Warren "Rennie" Simmons Offensive Line Coach: Art Shell Running Backs Coach: George Sefcik Tight Ends Coach: James Daniel Offensive Assistant Coach: Pete Mangurian Defensive Line Coach: Bill Kollar Linebackers Coach: Don Blackmon Defensive Backs Coach: Ron Meeks Defensive Quality Control Coach: Brian Xanders Special Teams Coach: Joe DeCamillis Strength and Conditioning Coach: Al Miller Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tim Jorgensen Pro Scout: Les Snead Football Operations: Harold Richardson
Detroit Lions offense
| Total yards | Pass yards | Rush yards | Turnovers | First downs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221 | 175 | 46 | 3 | 10 |
Coaches
Head Coach: Bobby Ross Offensive Coordinator: Sylvester Croom Defensive Coordinator: Larry Peccatiello Quarterbacks Coach: Marc Trestman Wide Receivers Coach: Jerry Sullivan Offensive Line Coach: Jack Henry Tight Ends Coach: Bob Palcic, Frank Falks Offensive Assistant Coach: Stan Kwan Offensive Quality Control Coach: John Misciagna Defensive Line Coach: Brian Baker Linebackers Coach: Gary Moeller Defensive Secondary Coach: Dick Selcer Defensive Assistant Coach: Don Clemons Defensive Quality Control Coach: Dennis Murphy Special Teams Coach: Chuck Priefer Assistant Special Teams Coach: Stan Kwan Strength and Conditioning Coach: Bert Hill, Don Clemons General Manager: Chuck Schmidt Director of Pro Scouting: Kevin Colbert College Scout: Thomas Dimitroff Area Scout: Russ Bolinger, Dirk Dierking, Thomas Dimitroff, Scott McEwen, Jim Owens Part-Time Scout: Allen Hughes, John Williams Administrative Assistant: John Misciagna, Barbara Mouthaan, Beth Gay, Terri Kimble, Helen Misener