The 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League.
When Art Modell, owner of the Cleveland Browns, wanted to relocate his team to Baltimore before the season, the league made an agreement with him and the City of Cleveland. In the agreement, the name, colors and history of the Browns were to remain in Cleveland, while the relocated club would technically be a new league franchise. Thereafter, Modell's team became the Baltimore Ravens.
The season ended with Super Bowl XXXI when the Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots. One of the most memorable aspects of the 1996 season was that the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars, each in only its second year of existence, both advanced to their respective conference championship games.
Major rule changes
- In order to reduce injuries, hits with the helmet or to the head will be personal fouls and subject to fines.
Final standings
W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against
Tiebreakers
- Jacksonville was the second AFC Wild Card ahead of Indianapolis and Kansas City based on better conference record (7-5 to Colts' 6-6 and Chiefs' 5-7).
- Indianapolis was the third AFC Wild Card based on head-to-head victory over Kansas City (1-0).
- Cincinnati finished ahead of Houston in the AFC Central based on better net division points (19 to Oilers' 11).
- Oakland finished ahead of Seattle in the AFC West based on better division record (3-5 to Seahawks' 2-6).
- Dallas finished ahead of Philadelphia in the NFC East based on better record against common opponents (8-5 to Eagles' 7-6).
- Minnesota was the third NFC Wild Card based on better conference record than Washington (8-4 to Redskins' 6-6).
- Carolina finished ahead of San Francisco in the NFC West based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).
- Atlanta finished ahead of New Orleans in the NFC West based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).
Playoffs
- Home team in capitals
- Wild-Card playoffs: Jacksonville 30, BUFFALO 27; PITTSBURGH 42, Indianapolis 14
- Divisional playoffs: Jacksonville 30, DENVER 27; NEW ENGLAND 28, Pittsburgh 3
- AFC Championship: NEW ENGLAND 20, Jacksonville 6
- Wild-Card playoffs: DALLAS 40, Minnesota 15; SAN FRANCISCO 14, Philadelphia 0
- Divisional playoffs: GREEN BAY 35, San Francisco 14; CAROLINA 26, Dallas 17
- NFC Championship: GREEN BAY 30, Carolina 13
Statistical leaders
Team
| Points scored | Green Bay Packers (456)
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| Total yards gained | Denver Broncos (5,791)
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| Yards rushing | Denver Broncos (2,362)
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| Yards passing | Jacksonville Jaguars (4,110)
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| Fewest points allowed | Green Bay Packers (210)
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| Fewest total yards allowed | Green Bay Packers (4,156)
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| Fewest rushing yards allowed | Denver Broncos (1,331)
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| Fewest passing yards allowed | Green Bay Packers (2,740)
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Individual
| Scoring | John Kasay, Carolina (145 points)
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| Touchdowns | Terry Allen, Washington (21 TDs)
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| Most field goals made | John Kasay, Carolina (37 FGs)
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| Rushing | Barry Sanders, Detroit (1,553 yards)
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| Passing | Steve Young, San Francisco (97.2 rating)
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| Passing touchdowns | Brett Favre, Green Bay (39 TDs)
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| Pass receiving | Jerry Rice, San Francisco (108 catches)
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| Pass receiving yards | Isaac Bruce, St. Louis (1,338)
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| Punt returns | Desmond Howard, Green Bay (15.1 average yards)
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| Kickoff returns | Michael Bates, Carolina (30.2 average yards)
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| Interceptions | Tyrone Braxton, Denver and Keith Lyle, St. Louis (9)
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| Punting | John Kidd, Miami (46.3 average yards)
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| Sacks | Kevin Greene, Carolina (14.5)
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Awards
| Most Valuable Player | Brett Favre, Quarterback, Green Bay
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| Coach of the Year | Dom Capers, Carolina
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| Offensive Player of the Year | Terrell Davis, Running Back, Denver
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| Defensive Player of the Year | Bruce Smith, Defensive End, Buffalo
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| Offensive Rookie of the Year | Eddie George, Running Back, Houston
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| Defensive Rookie of the Year | Simeon Rice, Defensive End, Arizona
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References
National Football League seasons | 1996 in sports
Saison NFL 1996
"1996 NFL season"