1983 NFL season

American football season November 2013 March 2026 1983 Los Angeles Raiders September 3 – December 19, 1983 December 24, 1983 Los Angeles Raiders Washington Redskins XVIII January 22, 1984 Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida January 29, 1984 The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The Colts played their final season in Baltimore before the team's relocation to Indianapolis the following season. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins 38–9 at Tampa Stadium in Florida. Player movement Transactions Trades May 2, 1983: The Baltimore Colts traded John Elway for Chris Hinton, backup quarterback Mark Herrmann, and a first-round pick in the 1984 draft, which turned into offensive lineman Ron Solt. Retirements January 11, 1983: Wide receiver and four-time Super Bowl champion Lynn Swann retires.https://www.steelers.com/news/his-swann-song His Swann song steelers.com Teresa Varley 2019-01-11 2021-03-03 en February 26, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210226133533/https://www.steelers.com/news/his-swann-song live Draft 1983 NFL draft The 1983 NFL draft was held from April 26 to 27, 1983, at New York City's Sheraton Hotel. With the first pick, the Baltimore Colts selected quarterback John Elway from Stanford University. Major rule changes In the last 30 seconds of a half (but not overtime), with the defensive team behind with no more time outs, a defensive foul cannot prevent the half from ending except for the normal options that are available to the offensive team. Pass interference will not be called if there was incidental contact, or if players make simultaneous attempts to catch, tip, block, or bat the ball. Players may not use a helmet, that is no longer worn by anyone, as a weapon to strike or hit an opponent; they risk disqualification if they do. This rule was instituted after Raiders defensive end Lyle Alzado swung a helmet at New York Jets tackle Chris Ward during a playoff game the previous season. As a result of the Snowplow Game, snow removal equipment is prohibited from being used during the game. 1983 deaths May 2, 1983: Norm Van Brocklin age 57. Quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. Served as head coach for the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1971. June 25, 1983: Larry Gordon, the Miami Dolphins first round pick in the 1976 NFL draft, died from heart failure.100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Armando Salguero, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62937-722-3, p.185 October 31, 1983: George Halas, the owner of the Chicago Bears dies of cancer at the age of 88 years old. December 16, 1983: Doug Kotar, Running Back for the New York Giants, died from an inoperable brain tumor.https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/12/19/5-New-York-Giants-are-pallbearers-for-Doug-Kotar/8484440658000/ 5 New York Giants are pallbearers for Doug Kotar - UPI Archives February 8, 2023 December 23, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241223040611/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/12/19/5-New-York-Giants-are-pallbearers-for-Doug-Kotar/8484440658000/ live December 25, 1983: Ray Douglas, official since 1968 (back judge) Division races From 1978 to 1981 and this season to 1989, ten teams qualified for the playoffs: the winners of each of the divisions, and two wild-card teams in each conference. The two wild cards would meet for the right to face whichever of the three division winners had the best overall record. The tiebreaker rules were based on head-to-head competition, followed by division records, common opponents records, and conference play. National Football Conference Week East Central West Wild Card Wild Card 1 Dallas, Philadelphia 1–0 3 teams 1–0 3 teams 1–0 2 Dallas 2–0 4 teams 1–1 L.A. Rams 2–0 3 Dallas 3–0 Minnesota, Green Bay 2–1 4 teams 2–1 4 Dallas 4–0 Minnesota 3–1 San Francisco 3–1 Washington 3–1 6 teams 2–2 5 Dallas 5–0 Minnesota, Green Bay 3–2 San Francisco 4–1 Washington 4–1 5 teams 3–2 6 Dallas 6–0 Minnesota 4–2 3 teams 4–2 Washington 5–1 4 teams 4–2 7 Dallas 7–0 Minnesota 5–2 San Francisco, L.A. Rams 5–2 3 teams 5–2 3 teams 4–3 8 Dallas 7–1 Minnesota 6–2 San Francisco 6–2 Washington 6–2 New Orleans, L.A. Rams 5–3 9 Dallas 8–1 Minnesota 6–3 San Francisco 6–3 Washington 7–2 New Orleans, L.A. Rams 5–4 10 Dallas 9–1 Minnesota 6–4 3 teams 6–4 Washington 8–2 3 teams 6–4 11 Dallas, Washington 9–2 Minnesota, Green Bay 6–5 San Francisco, L.A. Rams 7–4 Dallas, Washington 9–2 San Francisco, L.A. Rams 7–4 12 Dallas, Washington 10–2 Minnesota 7–5 San Francisco, L.A. Rams 7–5 Dallas, Washington 10–2 San Francisco, L.A. Rams 7–5 13 Dallas, Washington 11–2 Minnesota, Detroit 7–6 L.A. Rams 8–5 Dallas, Washington 11–2 Minnesota, Detroit 7–6 14 Dallas, Washington 12–2 Detroit 8–6 San Francisco, L.A. Rams 8–6 Dallas, Washington 12–2 San Francisco, L.A. Rams 8–6 15 Washington 13–2 Detroit, Green Bay 8–7 San Francisco 9–6 Dallas 12–3 4 teams 8–7 16Washington 14–2Detroit 9–7San Francisco 10–6Dallas 12–4L.A. Rams 9–7 American Football Conference Week East Central West Wild Card Wild Card 1 3 teams 1–0 4 teams 0–1 3 teams 1–0 2 Miami 2–0 Pittsburgh, Cleveland 1–1 L.A. Raiders, Denver 2–0 3 Miami, Buffalo 2–1 Pittsburgh, Cleveland 2–1 L.A. Raiders 3–0 6 teams 2–1 4 Miami, Buffalo 3–1 Cleveland 3–1 L.A. Raiders 4–0 3 teams 3–1 6 teams 2–2 5 4 teams 3–2 Pittsburgh, Cleveland 3–2 L.A. Raiders 4–1 7 teams 3–2 4 teams 2–3 6 Buffalo, Baltimore 4–2 Pittsburgh, Cleveland 4–2 L.A. Raiders 5–1 4 teams 4–2 5 teams 3–3 7 Buffalo 5–2 Pittsburgh 5–2 L.A. Raiders 5–2 Miami, Baltimore 4–3 Cleveland, Seattle 4–3 8 Miami, Buffalo 5–3 Pittsburgh 6–2 L.A. Raiders 6–2 Miami, Buffalo 5–3 Denver 5–3 9 Miami, Buffalo 6–3 Pittsburgh 7–2 L.A. Raiders, Denver 6–3 Miami, Buffalo 6–3 L.A. Raiders, Denver 6–3 10 Miami 7–3 Pittsburgh 8–2 L.A. Raiders 7–3 Buffalo, Baltimore 6–4 Seattle, Denver 6–4 11 Miami, Buffalo 7–4 Pittsburgh 9–2 L.A. Raiders 8–3 Miami, Buffalo 7–4 5 teams 6–5 12 Miami 8–4 Pittsburgh 9–3 L.A. Raiders 9–3 3 teams 7–5 3 teams 6–5 13 Miami 9–4 Pittsburgh 9–4 L.A. Raiders 10–3 Cleveland 8–5 3 teams 7–6 14 Miami 10–4 Pittsburgh 9–5 L.A. Raiders 11–3 3 teams 8–6 4 teams 7–7 15 Miami 11–4 Pittsburgh 10–5 L.A. Raiders 11–4 Denver 9–6 4 teams 8–7 16Miami 12–4Pittsburgh 10–6L.A. Raiders 12–4Seattle 9–7Denver 9–7 Regular season Scheduling formula     Inter-conference AFC East vs NFC West AFC Central vs NFC Central AFC West vs NFC East Highlights of the 1983 season included: Thanksgiving: Two games were played on Thursday, November 24, featuring Pittsburgh at Detroit and St. Louis at Dallas, with Detroit and Dallas winning. Final standings Tiebreakers Los Angeles Raiders was the first AFC seed over Miami based on head-to-head victory (1–0). Seattle was the first AFC Wild Card ahead of Denver based on better division record (5–3 to Broncos' 3–5) after Cleveland was eliminated from the three-way tie based on head-to-head record (Seattle and Denver 2–1 to Browns' 0–2). New England finished ahead of Buffalo in the AFC East based on head-to-head sweep (2–0). Baltimore finished ahead of N.Y. Jets in the AFC East based on better conference record (5–9, .357 to Jets' 4–8, .333). San Diego finished ahead of Kansas City in the AFC West based on head-to-head sweep (2–0). Minnesota ended up in fourth place in the NFC Central after being eliminated from the three-way tie based on conference record (Chicago 7–7 and Green Bay 6–6 to Vikings' 4–8). Green Bay finished ahead of Chicago in the NFC Central based on better record against common opponents (4–4 to Bears' 3–5). Playoffs 1983–84 NFL playoffs Notable events Kansas City Chiefs running back Joe Delaney dies after attempting to rescue three boys who were drowning in a makeshift swimming pool at a construction site in Monroe, Louisiana. The Raiders' Super Bowl win would be the AFC's last win until the 1997 season when the Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers. Milestones The following players set all-time records during the season: Most touchdowns, season John Riggins, Washington (24) Most rushing touchdowns, season John Riggins, Washington (24) Most punt return yards, season Greg Pruitt, Los Angeles Raiders (666) Most total field goals made, season Ali Haji-Sheikh, New York Giants (35) Statistical leaders Team Points scoredWashington Redskins (541)Total yards gainedSan Diego Chargers (6,197)Yards rushingChicago Bears (2,727)Yards passingSan Diego Chargers (4,661)Fewest points allowedMiami Dolphins (250)Fewest total yards allowedCincinnati Bengals (4,327)Fewest rushing yards allowedWashington Redskins (1,289)Fewest passing yards allowedNew Orleans Saints (2,691) Awards Most Valuable PlayerJoe Theismann, quarterback, WashingtonCoach of the YearJoe Gibbs, WashingtonOffensive Player of the YearJoe Theismann, quarterback, WashingtonDefensive Player of the YearDoug Betters, defensive end, MiamiOffensive Rookie of the YearEric Dickerson, running back, LA RamsDefensive Rookie of the YearVernon Maxwell, linebacker, Baltimore ColtsMan of the YearRolf Benirschke, placekicker, San DiegoComeback Player of the YearBilly Johnson, wide receiver, AtlantaSuper Bowl Most Valuable PlayerMarcus Allen, running back, LA Raiders Coaching changes Offseason Atlanta Falcons: Dan Henning replaced the fired Leeman Bennett. Buffalo Bills: Kay Stephenson replaced Chuck Knox, who left the team to join the Seattle Seahawks. Kansas City Chiefs: Marv Levy was fired and replaced by John Mackovic. New York Giants: Ray Perkins was replaced by Bill Parcells. New York Jets: Walt Michaels resigned and was replaced by Joe Walton. Los Angeles Rams: Ray Malavasi was fired and replaced by John Robinson. Philadelphia Eagles: Dick Vermeil resigned and was replaced by Marion Campbell. Seattle Seahawks: Chuck Knox joined the Seahawks after resigning from the Bills. Seattle had fired Jack Patera after the team lost their first two games in 1982. Mike McCormack, the team's director of football operations, took over as interim for the remainder of that season. In-season Houston Oilers: Ed Biles was fired after the team lost their first six games. Defensive coordinator Chuck Studley took over as interim. Stadium changes Schaefer Stadium is renamed Sullivan Stadium after New England Patriots founder and owner Billy Sullivan Uniform changes The New Orleans Saints' jersey numbers were slightly modified, adding a thin inner border which matched the jersey color between the gold outer border and the number itself, similar to the numbers on the San Diego Chargers' jerseys. The Seattle Seahawks revised their jerseys for the first time since joining the NFL in 1976. The new jerseys moved the TV numbers from the sleeves to the shoulders, with the helmet logo duplicated on the sleeves and the jersey collars gaining striping trim; the socks also became solid blue. The face masks also changed from gray to blue. The Washington Redskins reversed their helmet logo modification of 1982, when the feathers hanging from the portrait of the Native American were curved instead of straight, which they were from 1972-81. Washington kept the 1972 logo until retiring the Redskins nickname and all Native American imagery prior to the 2020 season. Television This was the second year under the league's five-year broadcast contracts with ABC, CBS, and NBC to televise Monday Night Football, the NFC package, and the AFC package, respectively.Quinn, Kevin G. The Economics of the National Football League: The State of the Art Springer Science & Business Media 2011 338 978-1-4419-6289-8 O. J. Simpson replaced Fran Tarkenton as ABC's fill-in color commentator. Howard Cosell then ignited racial controversy during the broadcast of the September 5 MNF game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins when his commentary on Alvin Garrett, an African American wide receiver for Washington, included a reference to "That little monkey".Fachet Robert April 24, 1995 Ex Redskin Alvin Garrett Recalls Remarkable Cosell https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/04/25/ex-redskin-alvin-garrett-recalls-remarkable-cosell/010c3f84-162d-415d-855d-9d9a996799b3/ August 1, 2022 The Washington Post The fallout contributed to Cosell's decision to leave MNF after the season; his final telecast was a special Friday night game between the Jets and Dolphins on December 16. Regular season game not broadcast by Network TV DateTimeTeamsLocal TVAnnouncersOctober 9, 19833:00 PM CDTKansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles RaidersKCTV-TV (Kansas City area)(blacked out in Los Angeles area)Don Fortune (play-by-play)Len Dawson (analyst) References NFL Record and Fact Book (1-932994-36-X) NFL History 1981–1990 https://web.archive.org/web/20081006014832/http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1981-1990 October 6, 2008 (Last accessed December 4, 2005) Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (0-06-270174-6) NFL Salaries, 1983, offense NFL Salaries, 1983, defense 1983 National Football League