1983 NFL season

1983 National Football League season
Regular season
Duration	September 3 – December 19, 1983
Playoffs
Start date	December 24, 1983
AFC Champions	Los Angeles Raiders
NFC Champions	Washington Redskins
Super Bowl XVIII
Date	January 22, 1984
Site	Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Champions	Los Angeles Raiders
Pro Bowl
Date	January 28, 1984
Site	Aloha Stadium

The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins 38–9 at Tampa Stadium in Florida.

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 to end 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 when 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.

Division Races

Starting in 1978, 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	Eastern		Central		Western		WildCard		WildCard
1	Cowboys, Eagles	1–0	3 teams	1–0	3 teams	1–0
2	Cowboys	2–0	4 teams	1–1	Rams	2–0
3	Cowboys	3–0	Vikings, Packers	2–1	4 teams	2–1
4	Cowboys	4–0	Vikings	3–1	49ers	3–1	Redskins	3–1	6 teams	2–2
5	Cowboys	5–0	Vikings, Packers	3–2	49ers	4–1	Redskins	4–1	5 teams	3–2
6	Cowboys	6–0	Vikings	4–2	3 teams	4–2	Redskins	5–1	4 teams	4–2
7	Cowboys	7–0	Vikings	5–2	49ers, Rams	5–2	3 teams	5–2	3 teams	4–3
8	Cowboys	7–1	Vikings	6–2	49ers	6–2	Redskins	6–2	Saints, Rams	5–3
9	Cowboys	8–1	Vikings	6–3	49ers	6–3	Redskins	7–2	Saints, Rams	5–4
10	Cowboys	9–1	Vikings	6–4	3 teams	6–4	Redskins	8–2	3 teams	6–4
11	Cowboys, Redskins	9–2	Vikings, Packers	6–5	49ers, Rams	7–4	Cowboys, Redskins	9–2	49ers, Rams	7–4
12	Cowboys, Redskins	10–2	Vikings	7–5	49ers, Rams	7–5	Cowboys, Redskins	10–2	49ers, Rams	7–5
13	Cowboys, Redskins	11–2	Vikings, Lions	7–6	Rams	8–5	Cowboys, Redskins	11–2	Lions, Vikings	7–6
14	Cowboys, Redskins	12–2	Lions	8–6	49ers, Rams	8–6	Cowboys, Redskins	12–2	49ers, Rams	8–6
15	Redskins	13–2	Lions, Packers	8–7	49ers	9–6	Cowboys	12–3	4 teams	8–7
16	Washington	14–2	Detroit	9–7	San Francisco	10–6	Dallas	12–4	Los Angeles	9–7

American Football Conference

Week	Eastern		Central		Western		WildCard		WildCard
1	3 teams	1–0	4 teams	0–1	3 teams	1–0
2	Dolphins	2–0	Steelers, Browns	1–1	Raiders, Broncos	2–0
3	Dolphins, Bills	2–1	Steelers, Browns	2–1	Raiders	3–0	6 teams	2–1
4	Dolphins, Bills	3–1	Browns	3–1	Raiders	4–0	3 teams	3–1	6 teams	2–2
5	4 teams	3–2	Steelers, Browns	3–2	Raiders	4–1	7 teams	3–2	4 teams	2–3
6	Bills, Colts	4–2	Steelers, Browns	4–2	Raiders	5–1	4 teams	4–2	5 teams	3–3
7	Bills	5–2	Steelers	5–2	Raiders	5–2	Dolphins, Colts	4–3	Browns, Seahawks	4–3
8	Dolphins, Bills	5–3	Steelers	6–2	Raiders	6–2	Dolphins, Bills	5–3	Broncos	5–3
9	Dolphins, Bills	6–3	Steelers	7–2	Raiders, Broncos	6–3	Dolphins, Bills	6–3	Raiders, Broncos	6–3
10	Dolphins	7–3	Steelers	8–2	Raiders	7–3	Bills, Colts	6–4	Seahawks, Broncos	6–4
11	Dolphins, Bills	7–4	Steelers	9–2	Raiders	8–3	Dolphins, Bills	7–4	5 teams	6–5
12	Dolphins	8–4	Steelers	9–3	Raiders	9–3	3 teams	7–5	3 teams	6–5
13	Dolphins	9–4	Steelers	9–4	Raiders	10–3	Browns	8–5	3 teams	7–6
14	Dolphins	10–4	Steelers	9–5	Raiders	11–3	3 teams	8–6	4 teams	7–7
15	Dolphins	11–4	Steelers	10–5	Raiders	11–4	Broncos	9–6	4 teams	8–7
16	Miami	12–4	Pittsburgh	10–6	Los Angeles	12–4	Seattle	9–7	Denver	9–7

Final standings

AFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Miami Dolphins⁽²⁾	12	4	0	.750	6–2	9–3	389	250	W5
New England Patriots	8	8	0	.500	4–4	6–6	274	289	L1
Buffalo Bills	8	8	0	.500	4–4	7–5	283	351	L2
Baltimore Colts	7	9	0	.438	3–5	5–9	264	354	W1
New York Jets	7	9	0	.438	3–5	4–8	313	331	L2

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Pittsburgh Steelers⁽³⁾	10	6	0	.625	4–2	8–4	355	303	L1
Cleveland Browns	9	7	0	.563	3–3	7–5	356	342	W1
Cincinnati Bengals	7	9	0	.438	4–2	4–8	346	302	L1
Houston Oilers	2	14	0	.125	1–5	1–11	288	460	L1

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Los Angeles Raiders⁽¹⁾	12	4	0	.750	6–2	10–2	442	338	W1
Seattle Seahawks⁽⁴⁾	9	7	0	.563	5–3	8–4	403	397	W2
Denver Broncos⁽⁵⁾	9	7	0	.563	3–5	9–5	302	327	L1
San Diego Chargers	6	10	0	.375	4–4	4–8	358	462	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	6	10	0	.375	2–6	4–8	386	367	W1

NFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Washington Redskins⁽¹⁾	14	2	0	.875	7–1	10–2	541	332	W9
Dallas Cowboys⁽⁴⁾	12	4	0	.750	7–1	10–2	479	360	L2
St. Louis Cardinals	8	7	1	.531	3–4–1	5–6–1	374	428	W3
Philadelphia Eagles	5	11	0	.313	1–7	4–10	233	322	L2
New York Giants	3	12	1	.219	1–6–1	3–8–1	267	347	L4

NFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Detroit Lions⁽³⁾	9	7	0	.563	7–1	8–4	347	286	W1
Green Bay Packers	8	8	0	.500	4–4	6–6	429	439	L1
Chicago Bears	8	8	0	.500	4–4	7–7	311	301	W2
Minnesota Vikings	8	8	0	.500	4–4	4–8	316	348	W1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	14	0	.125	1–7	1–11	241	380	L3

NFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Francisco 49ers⁽²⁾	10	6	0	.625	4–2	8–4	432	293	W3
Los Angeles Rams⁽⁵⁾	9	7	0	.563	5–1	8–4	361	344	W1
New Orleans Saints	8	8	0	.500	2–4	7–5	319	337	L1
Atlanta Falcons	7	9	0	.438	1–5	4–8	370	389	W1

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

NOTE: The Los Angeles Raiders (the AFC 1 seed) did not play the Seattle Seahawks (the 4 seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.


			Divisional Playoffs
			Dec. 31 – Candlestick Park
NFC Wild Card Game						NFC Championship
			3	Detroit	23
Dec. 26 – Texas Stadium						Jan. 8 – Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
			2	San Francisco	24
5	LA Rams	24				2	San Francisco	21
			Jan. 1 – Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
4	Dallas	17				1	Washington	24	Super Bowl XVIII
			5	LA Rams	7
									Jan. 22 – Tampa Stadium
			1	Washington	51
									N1	Washington	9
			Dec. 31 – Miami Orange Bowl
AFC Wild Card Game						AFC Championship			A1	LA Raiders	38
			4	Seattle	27
Dec. 24 – Kingdome						Jan. 8 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
			2*	Miami	20
5	Denver	7				4	Seattle	14
			Jan. 1 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
4	Seattle	31				1	LA Raiders	30
			3	Pittsburgh	10

			1*	LA Raiders	38

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.

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 scored	Washington Redskins (541)
Total yards gained	San Diego Chargers (6,197)
Yards rushing	Chicago Bears (2,727)
Yards passing	San Diego Chargers (4,661)
Fewest points allowed	Miami Dolphins (250)
Fewest total yards allowed	Cincinnati Bengals (4,327)
Fewest rushing yards allowed	Washington Redskins (1,289)
Fewest passing yards allowed	New Orleans Saints (2,691)

Awards

Most Valuable Player	Joe Theismann, Quarterback, Washington
Coach of the Year	Joe Gibbs, Washington
Offensive Player of the Year	Joe Theismann, Quarterback, Washington
Defensive Player of the Year	Doug Betters, Defensive End, Miami
Offensive Rookie of the Year	Eric Dickerson, Running Back, LA Rams
Defensive Rookie of the Year	Vernon Maxwell, Linebacker, Baltimore Colts
Man of the Year	Rolf Benirschke, Placekicker, San Diego
Comeback Player of the Year	Billy Johnson, Wide Receiver, Atlanta
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player	Marcus 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 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.

Regular season game not broadcast by Network TV

Date	Time	Teams	Local TV	Announcers
October 9, 1983	4:00 PM EDT	Kansas City @ Los Angeles Raiders	KCTV-TV (Kansas City area) (blacked out in Los Angeles area)	Don Fortune (play-by-play) Len Dawson (analyst)

References

NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 1-932994-36-X)
NFL History 1981–1990 (Last accessed December 4, 2005)
Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (ISBN 0-06-270174-6)
NFL Salaries, 1983, offense
NFL Salaries, 1983, defense

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