1983 Denver Broncos season

American football team season December 2013 February 2026 Denver Broncos 1983 9–7 3rd AFC West Dan Reeves John Hadl Joe Collier Hein Poulus Edgar Kaiser Mile High Stadium Lost Wild Card Playoffs(at Seahawks) 7–31 Broncos 1968-96 uniforms.png Broncos seasons The 1983 Denver Broncos season was its 24th in professional football and 14th in the National Football League (NFL). Led by third-year head coach Dan Reeves, the Broncos were 9–7, third in the AFC West, and made their first playoff appearance in four seasons. Before the season, the Broncos traded with the Baltimore Colts for the rights to first overall pick in the 1983 draft, quarterback John Elway. He started ten games for the Broncos as a rookie, and the team won four of them.Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1983 Denver Broncos In his first two starts, both road wins, Elway left the game trailing, relieved by veteran Steve DeBerg.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p58fAAAAIBAJ&pg=1426%2C1040178 Gadsden Times Alabama Associated Press Elway hurt; DeBerg directs Broncos win September 5, 1983 B4https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v_8sAAAAIBAJ&pg=2341%2C2693101 Palm Beach Post wire services Denver's DeBerg keeps rescuing $5 million man September 13, 1983 D6 June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes After three straight losses, Elway was benched by Reeves in early October;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RFwxAAAAIBAJ&pg=1136%2C3117691 Montreal Gazette UPI Struggling Broncos bench Elway, DeBerg starter for rest of season October 6, 1983 D-14 and DeBerg led the team to four consecutive victories and a 6–3 record. A shoulder injury in a loss in Seattle sidelined him and Elway again became the starter.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nP1LAAAAIBAJ&pg=6744%2C1373794 Spokane Chronicle Harris John Warner shows off for grandfather November 7, 1983 21https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FaAkAAAAIBAJ&pg=1147%2C4647741 Montreal Gazette news services Elway back as starter after Broncos lose DeBerg November 8, 1983 D10 In the rematch with Seattle two weeks later in Denver, Elway was out with the flu and third-string rookie Gary Kubiak led the Broncos to a win.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rv1LAAAAIBAJ&pg=3866%2C1237030 Spokane Chronicle Associated Press Mossman John Broncos romp behind reserve QB November 21, 1983 C1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ARwhAAAAIBAJ&pg=4233%2C3843683 Pittsburgh Press Associated Press Broncos center ball to DeBerg for playoff against Seahawks December 23, 1983 C2 Elway's finest game as a rookie came in week 15, the Broncos' second game against Baltimore, the team that drafted him. Denver trailed 19–0 at the start of the fourth quarter, until Elway threw for three touchdowns in the final period to win 21–19 and kept their playoff hopes alive.Pro-Football-Reference.com: Baltimore Colts 19 at Denver Broncos 21; Sunday, December 11, 1983https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=baYSAAAAIBAJ&pg=3088%2C2421269 Spokane Chronicle Associated Press NFL roundup December 12, 1983 15 The following week was a lopsided road loss at Kansas City in -30 F wind chill, but the Broncos made the playoffs, gaining the final AFC berth over Cleveland, also at 9–7, whom they defeated in week 14.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9VZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5547%2C590139 Spokane Chronicle Associated Press NFL roundup December 19, 1983 28 DeBerg started the wild card playoff loss in Seattle,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EINGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1428%2C2539107 Evening News Newburgh-Beacon, New York Associated Press Cour Jim Broncos to bench Elway, start DeBerg December 23, 1983 2B and was relieved by Elway in the fourth quarter.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-1ZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=6637%2C1908381 Spokane Chronicle Washington (Chicago Sun-Times) Hewitt Brian The laughing stops December 26, 1983 21 The Broncos' wild-card playoff loss to the Seahawks marked their only playoff appearance during the three-year ownership of Edgar Kaiser Jr.; Pat Bowlen bought the team the following spring. NFL draft 1983 NFL draft 1983 Denver Broncos 1 4 Chris Hinton Guard Northwestern traded to the Baltimore Colts along with Quarterback Mark Herrmann and the Broncos' first round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft for John Elway 2 31 Mark Cooper Tackle Miami (FL) 1983-1987 (5 seasons) grey then Tampa Bay from 1987-1989 yes 3 60 Clint Sampson Wide Receiver San Diego State 1983-1986 (4 seasons) yes 5 116 George "Weedy" Harris Linebacker Houston 5 125 Bruce Baldwin Defensive Back Harding 6 143 Victor Heflin Defensive Back Delaware State grey not signed by the Broncos, but went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1983-1984 7 172 Myron Dupree Defensive Back North Carolina Central 1983 yes 8 197 Gary Kubiak Quarterback Texas A&M 1983-1991 (9 seasons) yes 9 228 Brian Hawkins Defensive Back San Jose State 10 254 Walt Bowyer Defensive End Arizona State 1983-1984, 1987-1988 (4 seasons) yes 11 283 Don Bailey Center Miami (FL) grey not signed by the Broncos, but went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts from 1984-1985 12 310 Karl Mecklenburg Linebacker Minnesota 1983-1994 (12 seasons), 6x Pro Bowl, 4x First Team All-Pro, Denver Broncos Ring of Fame yes yes https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1983_draft.htm 1983 Denver Broncos Draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com Personnel Staff 1983 Denver Broncos Owner – Edgar Kaiser Vice President/General Manager – Hein Poulus Director of Football Operations – John Beake Coordinator of College Scouting – Reed Johnson Head Coach – Dan Reeves Assistant Head Coach/Defense – Joe Collier Special Assistant – Marvin Bass Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers – John Hadl Running Backs – Nick Nicolau Offensive Line – Dan Radakovich Defensive Line – Stan Jones Linebackers – Myrel Moore Defensive Backs – Charlie West Special Teams/Tight Ends – Fran Polsfoot Strength/Conditioning – IJ Gorman Source:2010 Denver Broncos Media Guide 361 http://media.denverbroncos.com/media+guide/ March 6, 2011 Roster 1983 Denver Broncos  7 John Elway y  8 Gary Kubiak y 39 Jesse Myles y 34 Nathan Poole 46 Dave Preston American football 47 Gerald Willhite 23 Sammy Winder 84 Clint Sampson y 82 Zach Thomas wide receiver y 80 Rick Upchurch 81 Steve Watson wide receiver 85 Ron Egloff 88 Riley Odoms 83 John Sawyer American football 74 Jerry Baker American football T y 54 Keith Bishop American football G 64 Billy Bryan C 63 Mark Cooper American football y G 62 Tom Glassic G 60 Paul Howard American football G 63 Ken Lanier T 70 Dave Studdard T 67 Keith Uecker T 65 Walt Bowyer y DE 68 Rubin Carter American football NT 79 Barney Chavous DE 75 Rulon Jones DE 72 Don Latimer NT 66 Brison Manor DE 77 Karl Mecklenburg y DE 78 Rich Stachowski NT y 58 Steve Busick ILB 59 Darren Comeaux ILB 55 Rick Dennison OLB 53 Randy Gradishar ILB 57 Tom Jackson American football, born 1951 OLB 50 Jim Ryan linebacker OLB 52 Ken Woodard OLB 21 Myron Dupree y SS 43 Steve Foley defensive back FS 31 Mike Harden CB 28 Roger Jackson defensive back FS/CB 29 Wilbur Myers y FS 49 Dennis Smith American football SS 37 Steve Trimble SS 45 Steve Wilson defensive back CB 20 Louis Wright American football CB  3 Rich Karlis K 11 Luke Prestridge P 86 Dean Barnett no y TE IR 17 Steve DeBerg QB IR -- Bret Felknor no y DE IR -- George Harris no y LB IR 73 Shawn Hollingsworth T y IR 41 Rob Lytle RB IR -- Maomao Niko no y T IR 24 Rick Parros RB IR -- Jeff Raikes no y WR IR 51 Bob Swenson LB IR 87 James Wright tight end TE IR Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 August 5, 1983 Seattle Seahawks W 10–7 1–0 Mile High Stadium 53,887 2 August 13, 1983 Atlanta Falcons W 21–10 2–0 Mile High Stadium 73,199 3 August 20, 1983 Cleveland Browns W 19–10 3–0 Mile High Stadium 73,244 4 August 26, 1983 at Minnesota Vikings L 3–34 3–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 59,435 Regular season 1983 NFL season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 4 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 14–10 1–0 Three Rivers Stadium 58,233 2 September 11 at Baltimore Colts W 17–10 2–0 Memorial Stadium 52,613 3 September 18 Philadelphia Eagles L 10–13 2–1 Mile High Stadium 74,202 4 September 25 Los Angeles Raiders L 7–22 2–2 Mile High Stadium 74,289 5 October 2 at Chicago Bears L 14–31 2–3 Soldier Field 58,210 6 October 9 at Houston Oilers W 26–14 3–3 Astrodome 44,209 7 October 16 Cincinnati Bengals W 24–17 4–3 Mile High Stadium 74,305 8 October 23 San Diego Chargers W 14–6 5–3 Mile High Stadium 74,581 9 October 30 Kansas City Chiefs W 27–24 6–3 Mile High Stadium 74,640 10 November 6 at Seattle Seahawks L 19–27 6–4 Kingdome 61,189 11 November 13 at Los Angeles Raiders L 20–22 6–5 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 51,945 12 November 20 Seattle Seahawks W 38–27 7–5 Mile High Stadium 74,710 13 November 27 at San Diego Chargers L 7–31 7–6 Jack Murphy Stadium 43,650 14 December 4 Cleveland Browns W 27–6 8–6 Mile High Stadium 70,912 15 December 11 Baltimore Colts W 21–19 9–6 Mile High Stadium 74,864 16 December 18 at Kansas City Chiefs L 17–48 9–7 Arrowhead Stadium 11,377 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1 (Sunday, September 4, 1983): at Pittsburgh Steelers Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 1: Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary September 4, 1983 11:00 a.m. MDT Broncos (1–0) 0 7 0 7 Steelers (0–1) 0 7 3 0 Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 58,233 73 F, wind 5 mph 0 on Jerry Seeman NBC Bob Costas (play–by–play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 4, 1983The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 4, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN Pittsburgh Steelers PIT DEN PIT collapsed 2 12:38 Broncos RushTD Winder 1 good Karlis 7 0 2 1:08 Steelers RushTD Harris 4 good Anderson 7 7 3 8:41 Steelers FG 31 Anderson 7 10 4 2:54 Broncos RecTD Egloff DeBerg 2 good Karlis 14 10 14 10 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BroncosGame statisticsSteelers First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 2 (Sunday, September 11, 1983): at Baltimore Colts Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 2: Denver Broncos at Baltimore Colts – Game summary September 11, 1983 2:00 p.m. MDT Broncos (2–0) 0 3 0 14 Colts (1–1) 3 0 0 7 Memorial Stadium • Baltimore, Maryland 52,613 84 F, wind 10 mph 0 on Gene Barth NBC Marv Albert (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Baltimore Colts – September 11, 1983The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Baltimore Colts – September 11, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN Baltimore Colts BAL DEN BAL collapsed 1 8:06 Colts FG 32 Allegre 0 3 2 1:51 Broncos FG 42 Karlis 3 3 4 11:45 Colts — — — FumbleTD Anderson 41 good Allegre 3 10 4 5:55 Broncos RecTD Watson DeBerg 24 good Karlis 10 10 4 0:29 Broncos RushTD Watson 2 good Karlis 17 10 17 10 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BroncosGame statisticsColts First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 3 (Sunday, September 18, 1983): vs. Philadelphia Eagles Denver Broncos 1983 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos – Game summary September 18, 1983 2:00 p.m. MDT Eagles (2–1) 7 0 0 6 Broncos (2–1) 0 0 3 7 Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado 74,202 Gordon McCarter CBS Tom Brookshier (play–by–play) and Charlie Waters (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos – September 18, 1983The Football Database; Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos – September 18, 1983 right Philadelphia Eagles PHI Denver Broncos DEN PHI DEN collapsed 1 4:18 Eagles RecTD Quick Jaworski 38 good Franklin 7 0 3 11:01 Broncos FG 34 Karlis 7 3 4 13:08 Eagles FG 20 Franklin 10 3 4 1:54 Broncos RecTD Parros Elway 33 good Karlis 10 10 4 0:57 Eagles FG 43 Franklin 13 10 13 10 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: EaglesGame statisticsBroncos First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 4 (Sunday, September 25, 1983): vs. Los Angeles Raiders Denver Broncos 1983 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 4: Los Aneles Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary September 25, 1983 2:00 p.m. MDT Raiders (4–0) 0 7 13 2 Broncos (2–2) 0 0 0 7 Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado 74,289 Dick Jorgensen NBC Marv Albert (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Los Angeles Raiders at Denver Broncos – September 25, 1983The Football Database; Los Angeles Raiders at Denver Broncos – September 25, 1983 right Los Angeles Raiders RAI Denver Broncos DEN Jim Plunkett 13/24, 154 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT Marcus Allen 15 CAR, 45 YDS Marcus Allen 4 CAR, 20 YDS Steve DeBerg 8/21, 117 YDS, 1 INT Sammy Winder 20 CAR, 119 YDS Steve Watson 5 REC, 72 YDS RAI DEN collapsed 2 7:11 Raiders 2 36 RecTD Branch Plunkett 35 good Bahr 7 0 3 9:41 Raiders FG 27 Bahr 10 0 3 2:23 Raiders FG 29 Bahr 13 0 3 0:44 Raiders RecTD Branch Plunkett 17 good Bahr 20 0 4 1:42 Broncos — — — Other Thomas 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, Karlis kick good 20 7 4 0:54 Raiders — — — SafetyTackle DeBerg Townsend 22 7 22 7 Point spread: Broncos +3½ Over/under: 34.0 (under) Time of game: RaidersGame statisticsBroncos11 First downs 1637–82 Rushes–yards 30–130154 Passing yards 18813–24–1 Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions 14–33–23–22 Sacked–yards 5–50132 Net passing yards 138214 Total yards 268113 Return yards 1229–46.1 Punts Number–Average yardage 8–42.63–0 Fumbles–lost 4–24–22 Penalties–yards 9–7829:29 Time of possession 30:31 Individual stats Week 5 (Sunday, October 2, 1983): at Chicago Bears Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 5: Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – Game summary October 2, 1983 11:00 a.m. MDT Broncos (2–3) 0 0 7 7 Bears (2–3) 14 10 0 7 Soldier Field • Chicago, Illinois 58,210 Fred Silva NBC Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Bob Griese (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – October 2, 1983The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – October 2, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN Chicago Bears CHI DEN CHI collapsed 1 13:49 Bears RushTD Suhey 13 good Thomas 0 7 1 0:07 Bears RecTD Gault McMahon 15 good Thomas 0 14 2 10:00 Bears — — — IntTD Frazier 11 good Thomas 0 21 2 1:07 Bears FG 19 Thomas 0 24 3 2:15 Broncos RushTD Poole 15 good Karlis 7 24 4 14:32 Broncos RecTD Upchurch DeBerg 15 good Karlis 14 24 4 14:08 Bears RecTD Gault Evans 72 good Thomas 14 31 14 31 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BroncosGame statisticsBears First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 6 (Sunday, October 9, 1983): at Houston Oilers Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 6: Denver Broncos at Houston Oilers – Game summary October 9, 1983 11:00 a.m. MDT Broncos (3–3) 7 13 3 3 Oilers (0–6) 0 14 0 0 Astrodome • Houston, Texas 44,209 indoors (dome) Fred Wyant NBC Don Criqui (play–by–play) and Ahmad Rashad (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Houston Oilers – October 9, 1983The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Houston Oilers – October 9, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN Houston Oilers HOU DEN HOU collapsed 1 3:33 Broncos RecTD Egloff DeBerg 7 good Karlis 7 0 2 14:51 Oilers RecTD Smith Nielsen 40 good Kempf 7 7 2 11:27 Broncos FG 45 Karlis 10 7 2 4:34 Broncos RecTD Watson DeBerg 24 good Karlis 17 7 2 2:16 Broncos FG 39 Karlis 20 7 2 1:05 Oilers RushTD Campbell 1 good Kempf 20 14 3 0:32 Broncos FG 49 Karlis 23 14 4 1:57 Broncos FG 35 Karlis 26 14 26 14 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BroncosGame statisticsOilers First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 7 (Sunday, October 16, 1983): vs. Cincinnati Bengals Denver Broncos 1983 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 7: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – Game summary October 16, 1983 2:00 p.m. MDT Bengals (1–6) 7 3 7 0 Broncos (4–3) 7 3 7 7 Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado 74,305 Jerry Markbreit NBC Bob Costas (play–by–play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – October 16, 1983The Football Database; Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – October 16, 1983 right Cincinnati Bengals CIN Denver Broncos DEN CIN DEN collapsed 1 5:05 Broncos RecTD Preston DeBerg 3 good Karlis 0 7 1 0:20 Bengals RushTD Alexander 3 good Breech 7 7 2 6:31 Bengals FG 35 Breech 10 7 2 1:07 Broncos FG 31 Karlis 10 10 3 7:11 Broncos RushTD Parros 3 good Karlis 10 17 3 2:35 Bengals — — — IntTD Horton 55 good Breech 17 17 4 6:57 Broncos RecTD Parros DeBerg 7 good Karlis 17 24 17 24 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BengalsGame statisticsBroncos First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 8 (Sunday, October 23, 1983): vs. San Diego Chargers Denver Broncos 1983 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 8: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary October 23, 1983 2:00 p.m. MDT Chargers (3–5) 0 3 3 0 Broncos (5–3) 0 0 0 14 Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado 74,581 Jim Tunney NBC Marv Albert (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – October 23, 1983The Football Database; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – October 23, 1983 right San Diego Chargers SD Denver Broncos DEN SD DEN collapsed 2 0:23 Chargers FG 29 Benirschke 3 0 3 1:49 Chargers FG 30 Benirschke 6 0 4 12:32 Broncos RecTD Upchurch DeBerg 30 good Karlis 6 7 4 1:42 Broncos RushTD Preston 2 good Karlis 6 14 6 14 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: ChargersGame statisticsBroncos First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 9 (Sunday, October 30, 1983): vs. Kansas City Chiefs Denver Broncos 1983 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary October 30, 1983 2:00 p.m. MST Chiefs (4–5) 7 0 3 14 Broncos (6–3) 0 17 3 7 Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado 70,912 Chuck Heberling NBC Bob Costas (play–by–play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 30, 1983The Football Database; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 30, 1983 right Kansas City Chiefs KC Denver Broncos DEN KC DEN collapsed 1 5:07 Chiefs RushTD Brown 1 good Lowery 7 0 2 6:11 Broncos RushTD Poole 15 good Karlis 7 7 2 3:34 Broncos FG 31 Karlis 7 10 2 1:40 Broncos RecTD Watson DeBerg 46 good Karlis 7 17 3 11:21 Chiefs FG 21 Lowery 10 17 3 5:51 Broncos FG 27 Karlis 10 20 4 8:55 Broncos RushTD Poole 15 good Karlis 10 27 4 6:11 Chiefs RushTD Jackson 9 good Lowery 17 27 4 1:31 Chiefs RecTD Sampson Kenney 8 good Lowery 24 27 24 27 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: ChiefsGame statisticsBroncos First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 10 (Sunday, November 6, 1983): at Seattle Seahawks Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 10: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary November 6, 1983 2:00 p.m. MST Broncos (6–4) 0 3 6 10 Seahawks (6–4) 6 0 14 7 Kingdome • Seattle, Washington 61,189 indoors (dome) Bob McElwee NBC Merle Harmon (play–by–play) and Dave Rowe (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – November 6, 1983The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – November 6, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN Seattle Seahawks SEA DEN SEA collapsed 1 10:19 Seahawks FG 42 Johnson 0 3 1 0:52 Seahawks FG 18 Johnson 0 6 2 10:07 Broncos FG 38 Karlis 3 6 3 12:57 Seahawks RecTD Largent Krieg 14 good Johnson 3 13 3 11:14 Seahawks RecTD Johns Krieg 30 good Johnson 3 20 3 3:15 Broncos RushTD Winder 1 no good Karlis 9 20 4 14:00 Broncos FG 43 Karlis 12 20 4 9:36 Seahawks RushTD Krieg 10 good Johnson 12 27 4 6:01 Broncos RecTD Watson Elway 25 good Karlis 19 27 19 27 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BroncosGame statisticsSeahawks First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 11 (Sunday, November 13, 1983): at Los Angeles Raiders Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 11: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary November 13, 1983 2:00 p.m. MST Broncos (6–5) 10 0 0 10 Raiders (8–3) 0 6 7 9 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, California 51,945 Red Cashion NBC Don Criqui (play–by–play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – November 13, 1983The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – November 13, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN Los Angeles Raiders RAI John Elway 11/31, 190 YDS, 1 INT John Elway 3 CAR, 32 YDS, 1 TD Rick Upchurch 3 REC, 63 YDS Jim Plunkett 26/42, 252 YDS Marcus Allen 18 CAR, 84 YDS, 1 TD Todd Christensen 8 REC, 114 YDS DEN RAI collapsed 1 9:24 Broncos FG 23 Karlis 3 0 1 8:26 Broncos — — — FumbleTD Chavous 0 good Karlis 10 0 2 12:39 Raiders FG 28 Bahr 10 3 2 0:02 Raiders FG 42 Bahr 10 6 3 5:52 Raiders RushTD Allen 7 good Bahr 10 13 4 11:44 Raiders RushTD Hawkins 17 no good (aborted) Bahr 10 19 4 6:35 Broncos FG 22 Karlis 13 19 4 0:58 Broncos RushTD Elway 4 good Karlis 20 19 4 0:04 Raiders FG 39 Bahr 20 22 20 22 Point spread: Broncos +7 Over/under: 42.0 (push) Time of game: BroncosGame statisticsRaiders14 First downs 2325–63 Rushes–yards 29–140190 Passing yards 25211–31–1 Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions 26–43–02–21 Sacked–yards 5–52169 Net passing yards 200232 Total yards 34091 Return yards 1477–36.4 Punts Number–Average yardage 5–44.82–1 Fumbles–lost 3–35–29 Penalties–yards 7–5726:30 Time of possession 33:30 Individual stats Week 12 (Sunday, November 20, 1983): vs. Seattle Seahawks Denver Broncos 1983 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 12: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary November 20, 1983 2:00 p.m. MST Seahawks (6–6) 0 7 13 7 Broncos (7–5) 10 10 7 11 Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado 74,581 Gene Barth NBC Marv Albert (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 20, 1983The Football Database; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 20, 1983 right Seattle Seahawks SEA Denver Broncos DEN SEA DEN collapsed 1 12:34 Broncos FG 42 Karlis 0 3 1 3:00 Broncos RecTD Watson Kubiak 78 good Karlis 0 10 2 7:04 Broncos FG 25 Karlis 0 13 2 1:52 Broncos RushTD Willhite 24 good Karlis 0 20 2 11:14 Seahawks RecTD Walker Krieg 50 good Johnson 7 20 3 10:57 Broncos RushTD Kubiak 7 good Karlis 7 27 3 5:39 Seahawks RushTD Hughes 1 good Johnson 14 27 3 1:12 Seahawks RecTD Metzelaars Krieg 17 no good Johnson 20 27 4 10:28 Broncos FG 21 Karlis 20 30 4 7:40 Broncos FG 38 Karlis 20 33 4 4:35 Seahawks RecTD Young Krieg 11 good Johnson 27 33 4 1:39 Broncos — — — SafetyTackle Krieg Jones 27 35 4 1:08 Broncos FG 40 Karlis 27 38 27 38 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: SeahawksGame statisticsBroncos First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 13 (Sunday, November 27, 1983): at San Diego Chargers Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 13: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary November 27, 1983 2:00 p.m. MST Broncos (7–6) 7 0 0 0 Chargers (5–8) 14 7 0 10 Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California 43,650 Gordon McCarter NBC Don Criqui (play–by–play) and Gene Washington (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 27, 1983The Football Database; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 27, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN San Diego Chargers SD DEN SD collapsed 1 10:59 Broncos RushTD Poole 1 good Karlis 7 0 1 4:54 Chargers RecTD Winslow Fouts 9 good Benirschke 7 7 1 1:29 Chargers RecTD Winslow Fouts 2 good Benirschke 7 14 2 8:51 Chargers RushTD Brooks 3 good Benirschke 7 21 4 14:43 Chargers RushTD Muncie 1 good Benirschke 7 28 4 6:29 Chargers FG 20 Benirschke 7 31 7 31 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BroncosGame statisticsChargers First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 14 (Sunday, December 4, 1983): vs. Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos 1983 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 14: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – Game summary December 4, 1983 2:00 p.m. MST Browns (8–6) 3 3 0 0 Broncos (8–6) 0 21 3 3 Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado 70,912 Pat Haggerty NBC Marv Albert (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – December 4, 1983The Football Database; Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – December 4, 1983 right Cleveland Browns CLE Denver Broncos DEN CLE DEN collapsed 1 9:57 Browns FG 47 Bahr 3 0 2 14:29 Broncos RushTD Winder 3 good Karlis 3 7 2 5:27 Broncos RecTD Sampson Elway 39 good Karlis 3 14 2 1:03 Broncos RecTD Sampson Elway 49 good Karlis 3 21 2 0:02 Browns FG 58 Cox 6 21 3 7:01 Broncos FG 20 Karlis 6 24 4 8:02 Broncos FG 50 Karlis 6 27 6 27 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BrownsGame statisticsBroncos First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 15 (Sunday, December 11, 1983): vs. Baltimore Colts Denver Broncos 1983 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 15: Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – Game summary December 11, 1983 2:00 p.m. MST Colts (6–9) 3 13 3 0 Broncos (9–6) 0 0 0 21 Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado 74,864 40 F C Fred Silva NBC Jay Randolph (play–by–play) and Bob Chandler (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – December 11, 1983The Football Database; Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – December 11, 1983 right Baltimore Colts BAL Denver Broncos DEN Mike Pagel 13/27, 217 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Curtis Dickey 19 CAR, 92 YDS Bernard Henry 8 REC, 169 YDS, 1 TD John Elway 23/44, 345 yards, 3 TDs John Elway 3 CAR, 23 YDS Steve Watson 4 REC, 98 YDS BAL DEN collapsed 1 1:20 Colts FG 42 Allegre 3 0 2 10:55 Colts FG 55 Allegre 6 0 2 7:23 Colts FG 41 Allegre 9 0 2 5:55 Broncos RecTD Henry Pagel 40 good Allegre 16 0 3 7:50 Colts FG 26 Allegre 19 0 4 10:52 Broncos RecTD Sampson Elway 21 good Karlis 19 7 4 4:54 Broncos RecTD Myles Elway 26 good Karlis 19 14 4 0:44 Broncos RecTD Willhite Elway 26 good Karlis 19 21 19 21 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: ColtsGame statisticsBroncos First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Week 16 (Sunday, December 18, 1983): at Kansas City Chiefs Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 16: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary December 18, 1983 11:00 a.m. MST Broncos (9–7) 0 3 0 14 Chiefs (6–10) 21 7 10 10 Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City, Missouri 11,377 Tom Dooley NBC Phil Stone (play–by–play) and Jim Turner (color commentator) Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – December 18, 1983The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – December 18, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN Kansas City Chiefs KC DEN KC collapsed 1 13:53 Chiefs — — — IntTD Smith 58 good Lowery 0 7 1 7:47 Chiefs RecTD Sampson Kenney 48 good Lowery 0 14 1 5:00 Chiefs RecTD Scott Kenney 17 good Lowery 0 21 2 12:21 Broncos FG 24 Karlis 3 21 2 4:27 Chiefs RushTD Brown 1 good Lowery 3 28 3 7:00 Chiefs FG 38 Lowery 3 31 3 2:10 Chiefs RushTD Brown 6 good Lowery 3 38 4 11:56 Chiefs FG 43 Lowery 3 41 4 8:57 Broncos RushTD Willhite 1 good Karlis 10 41 4 8:35 Broncos RushTD Willhite 2 good Karlis 17 41 4 1:53 Chiefs RecTD Paige Blackledge 23 good Lowery 17 48 17 48 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: BroncosGame statisticsChiefs First downs Rushes–yards Passing yards Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions Sacked–yards Net passing yards Total yards Return yards Punts Number–Average yardage Fumbles–lost Penalties–yards Time of possession Individual stats Standings Playoffs 1983–84 NFL playoffs Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Attendance AFC Wild Card Playoffs December 24 at Seattle Seahawks (4) L 7–31 0–1 Kingdome 60,752 Source: Playoff game summaries 1983 AFC Wild Card Playoffs (Saturday, December 24, 1983): at (4) Seattle Seahawks Denver Broncos 1983 2;text-align:center; autocollapse AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary December 24, 1983 2:00 p.m. MST Broncos (0–1) 7 0 0 0 Seahawks (1–0) 7 3 7 14 Kingdome • Seattle, Washington 60,752 indoors (dome) Red Cashion NBC Charlie Jones (play–by–play), Bob Griese (color commentator) and Ahmad Rashad (sideline reporter) Pro Football Reference; 1983 AFC Wild Card Playoffs – (5) Denver Broncos at (4) Seattle Seahawks – December 24, 1983The Football Database; 1983 AFC Wild Card Playoffs – (5) Denver Broncos at (4) Seattle Seahawks – December 24, 1983 right Denver Broncos DEN Seattle Seahawks SEA Steve DeBerg 14/19, 131 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Sammy Winder 16 CAR, 59 YDS Jesse Myles 7 REC, 73 YDS, 1 TD Dave Krieg 12/13, 200 YDS, 3 TDs Curt Warner 23 CAR, 99 YDS Steve Largent 4 REC, 76 YDS, 1 TD DEN SEA collapsed 1 10:18 Seahawks 8 62 4:33 RecTD Largent Krieg 17 good Johnson 0 7 1 3:38 Broncos 9 76 4:08 RecTD Myles DeBerg 13 good Karlis 7 7 2 9:25 Seahawks 9 32 4:33 FG 37 Johnson 7 10 3 6:58 Seahawks 5 73 3:19 RecTD Metzelaars Krieg 5 good Johnson 7 17 4 14:56 Seahawks 9 61 4:17 RecTD Johns Krieg 18 good Johnson 7 24 4 9:34 Seahawks 9 64 4:43 RushTD Hughes 2 good Johnson 7 31 7 31 Point spread: Over/under: Time of game: 2 hours, 53 minutes BroncosGame statisticsSeahawks21 First downs 1733–125 Rushes–yards 38–145254 Passing yards 20024–34–2 Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions 12–13–02–19 Sacked–yards 2–21233 Net passing yards 179360 Total yards 324128 Return yards 1464–47.8 Punts Number–Average yardage 3–41.71–1 Fumbles–lost 1–05–35 Penalties–yards 3–3430:57 Time of possession 29:03 Individual stats Playoff Game Officials Playoff Round Opponent Referee Umpire Head Linesman Line Judge Back Judge Side Judge Field Judge Alternate Wild Card at Seattle (43) Red Cashion (67) John Keck (109) Sid Semon (41) Dick McKenzie (28) Don Wedge (90) Gil Mace (84) Bob Wortman References 30em External links Denver Broncos – 1983 media guide 1983 Denver Broncos season at jt-sw.com 1983 Denver Broncos at Pro-Football-Reference.com Denver Broncos Category:Denver Broncos seasons Denver Bronco