1983 Detroit Lions season

The 1983 Detroit Lions season was the 54th season in franchise history. Despite a 1–4 start, the Lions rallied to finish with a 9–7 record. They were able to rise to the top of a weak NFC Central (three of the four other teams went 8-8, and Tampa Bay tied for the NFL's worst record at 2–14), to claim their first division championship since 1957 and the first time the team had made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since playing for the NFL championship in 1952, '53 and '54. The Lions would not return to the postseason for another eight years.

1983 Detroit Lions season
OwnerWilliam Clay Ford, Sr.
Head coachMonte Clark
Home fieldPontiac Silverdome
Results
Record9–7
Division place1st NFC Central
Playoff finishLost Divisional Playoffs (at 49ers) 23–24

The offense ranked 15th in the NFL in points scored, leaving the defense to carry the load. The Lions’ defense turned out to be the second-best in the league in points allowed, keyed defensive tackle Doug English and his 13 sacks. English was the team’s only Pro Bowler, though he also got some help from defensive end William Gay, who registered 13 ½ sacks of his own. In the NFC playoffs, the Lions lead the San Francisco 49ers late into the 4th Quarter, until Joe Montana drove the 49ers down the field for a 14-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Solomon to give the 49ers a 24–23 lead. The Lions would have a chance to win the game, as Gary Danielson drove them into field goal range, but placekicker Eddie Murray missed a 44-yard field goal with five seconds remaining. [1]

Offseason

NFL Draft
Main article: 1983 NFL Draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionSchool
113James JonesFBFlorida
240Rich StrengerOTMichigan
367Mike CoferLBTennessee
494August CurleyLBUSC
5115Demetrious JohnsonSMissouri
5121Steve MottCAlabama
6154Todd BrownWRNebraska
7181Mike BlackPArizona State
8208Bill StapletonDBWashington
10261Dave LaubeGPenn State
11287Ben TateRBNorth Carolina Central
12321Jim LaneCIdaho State


Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 4 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 11–0
62,154
2 September 11 Cleveland Browns L 31–26
60,095
3 September 18 Atlanta Falcons L 30–14
54,622
4 September 25 at Minnesota Vikings L 20–17
58,254
5 October 2 at Los Angeles Rams L 21–10
49,403
6 October 9 Green Bay Packers W 38–14
67,738
7 October 16 Chicago Bears W 31–17
66,709
8 October 23 at Washington Redskins L 38–17
43,189
9 October 30 at Chicago Bears W 38–17
58,764
10 November 7 New York Giants W 15–9
68,985
11 November 13 at Houston Oilers L 27–17
40,660
12 November 20 at Green Bay Packers W 23–20 OT
50,050
13 November 24 Pittsburgh Steelers W 45–3
77,724
14 December 5 Minnesota Vikings W 13–2
79,169
15 December 11 at Cincinnati Bengals L 17–9
45,728
16 December 18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 23–20
78,392

Week 1
1 234Total
• Lions 5 033 11
Buccaneers 0 000 0
  • Date: September 4
  • Location: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
  • Game start: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 62,154
  • Game weather: 82°F; wind 7
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • Television network: CBS

[2]

Standings
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

Final roster
1983 Detroit Lions final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad



Rookies in italics
 49 active, 3 inactive, 0 practice squad

Postseason
NFC Divisional Playoff, San Francisco 49ers 24, Detroit Lions 23
1 2 34Total
Lions 3 6 01423
49ers 7 7 3724

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

References
  1. Season summary at Sports E Cyclopedia
  2. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2013-Dec-23.
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