1983 Detroit Lions season

1983 Detroit Lions season
Head coach Monte Clark
Owner William Clay Ford, Sr.
Home field Pontiac Silverdome
Results
Record 9–7
Division place 1st NFC Central
Playoff finish Lost 1st Round

The 1983 Detroit Lions season was the 54th season in franchise history. After a 1-4 start, the Lions finished with a 9-7 record. They were able to rise to the top of a weak NFC Central, to claim their first division championship since 1957. 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]

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 4, 1983 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 11–0
62,154
2 September 11, 1983 Cleveland Browns L 31–26
60,095
3 September 18, 1983 Atlanta Falcons L 30–14
54,622
4 September 25, 1983 at Minnesota Vikings L 20–17
58,254
5 October 2, 1983 at Los Angeles Rams L 21–10
49,403
6 October 9, 1983 Green Bay Packers W 38–14
67,738
7 October 16, 1983 Chicago Bears W 31–17
66,709
8 October 23, 1983 at Washington Redskins L 38–17
43,189
9 October 30, 1983 at Chicago Bears W 38–17
58,764
10 November 7, 1983 New York Giants W 15–9
68,985
11 November 13, 1983 at Houston Oilers L 27–17
40,660
12 November 20, 1983 at Green Bay Packers W 23–20 OT
50,050
13 November 24, 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers W 45–3
77,724
14 December 5, 1983 Minnesota Vikings W 13–2
79,169
15 December 11, 1983 at Cincinnati Bengals L 17–9
45,728
16 December 18, 1983 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 23–20
78,392

Game summaries

Week 1

1 234Total
• Lions 5 033 11
Buccaneers 0 000 0

[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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