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1983 Chicago Bears season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Chicago Bears |
| year | 1983 |
| record | 8–8 |
| division_place | 3rd NFC Central |
| coach | Mike Ditka |
| general manager | Jim Finks |
| owner | George Halas (until October 31) |
| The McCaskey Family | |
| *(Family control since 1921; Virginia McCaskey since 1983)* | |
| stadium | Soldier Field |
| pro bowlers | {{Collapsible list |
| title | 2 |
| 1 | RB Walter Payton |
| 2 | MLB Mike Singletary |
| AP All-pros | {{Collapsible list |
| title | 2 |
| 1 | RB Walter Payton |
| 2 | MLB Mike Singletary |
| playoffs | *Did not qualify* |
| shortnavlink | Bears seasons |
The McCaskey Family (Family control since 1921; Virginia McCaskey since 1983) | AP All-pros = {{Collapsible list The 1983 season was the Chicago Bears' 64th in the National Football League, and their second under head coach Mike Ditka. The team improved from their 3–6 record from 1982 to finish at 8–8, but to failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Jim McMahon was the quarterback, who completed 175 of 295 pass attempts. The Bears 1983 NFL draft class was ranked #3 in NFL Top 10s greatest draft classes.
Offseason
1983 NFL draft
Main article: 1983 NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Dave McCarrell | Quarterback | Wheaton |
| Dan Ruzich | Linebacker | Kansas State |
Roster and staff
Staff
Roster
- Bob Thomas K
Preseason
The Bears were predicted to finish 7–9 and fourth in the division by Paul Zimmerman. Their prized new weapon would be Willie Gault. Dennis McKinnon (signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bears in 1983) would also play a key role in the receiving corps and Jimbo Covert would help open bigger holes for Walter Payton but it was felt they were a few offensive lineman and a tight end away from being effective. The defense would be led by All-Pro Dan Hampton and new defensive backs Mike Richardson and Dave Duerson. The Bears started 1983 by losing 7 of their first 10, but won 5 of their last 6 to finish 8–8. The Bears would go 71–18 in regular season games from November 13, 1983, through October 2, 1989.
| Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Week | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Date | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Result | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Record | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Venue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 6 | [Buffalo Bills](1983-buffalo-bills-season) | **W** 27–17 | 1–0 | Soldier Field | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 13 | at [St. Louis Cardinals](1983-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season) | **L** 24–27 | 1–1 | Busch Stadium | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 20 | at [Los Angeles Raiders](1983-los-angeles-raiders-season) | **W** 27–21 | 2–1 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 27 | [Kansas City Chiefs](1983-kansas-city-chiefs-season) | **W** 20–17 | 3–1 | Soldier Field |
Regular season
Schedule
| Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Week | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Date | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Result | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Record | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Venue | Chicago Bears | year=1983 | border=2}}" | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 4 | [Atlanta Falcons](1983-atlanta-falcons-season) | **L** 17–20 | 0–1 | Soldier Field | 60,165 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 11 | **[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1983-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)** | **W** 17–10 | 1–1 | Soldier Field | 58,186 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 18 | at [New Orleans Saints](1983-new-orleans-saints-season) | **L** 31–34 | 1–2 | Louisiana Superdome | 64,692 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 25 | at [Baltimore Colts](1983-baltimore-colts-season) | L 19–22 | 1–3 | Memorial Stadium | 34,350 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 2 | [Denver Broncos](1983-denver-broncos-season) | **W** 31–14 | 2–3 | Soldier Field | 58,210 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 9 | **[Minnesota Vikings](1983-minnesota-vikings-season)** | **L** 14–23 | 2–4 | Soldier Field | 59,632 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 16 | at **[Detroit Lions](1983-detroit-lions-season)** | **L** 17–31 | 2–5 | Pontiac Silverdome | 66,709 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 23 | at [Philadelphia Eagles](1983-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **W** 7–6 | 3–5 | Veterans Stadium | 45,263 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 30 | **[Detroit Lions](1983-detroit-lions-season)** | **L** 17–38 | 3–6 | Soldier Field | 58,764 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 6 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1983-los-angeles-rams-season) | **L** 14–21 | 3–7 | Anaheim Stadium | 53,010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 13 | [Philadelphia Eagles](1983-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **W** 17–14 | 4–7 | Soldier Field | 47,524 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 20 | at **[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1983-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)** | **W** 27–0 | 5–7 | Tampa Stadium | 36,816 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 27 | [San Francisco 49ers](1983-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **W** 13–3 | 6–7 | Soldier Field | 40,483 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 4 | at **[Green Bay Packers](1983-green-bay-packers-season)** | **L** 28–31 | 6–8 | Lambeau Field | 51,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 11 | at **[Minnesota Vikings](1983-minnesota-vikings-season)** | W 19–13 | 7–8 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 57,880 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 18 | **[Green Bay Packers](1983-green-bay-packers-season)** | **W** 23–21 | 8–8 | Soldier Field | 35,807 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 2 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Passing
- TB: Jerry Golsteyn 22/42, 277 yards, INT
- CHI: Jim McMahon 16/24, 286 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing
- TB: James Wilder 11–40, James Owens 12–25, TD, Mel Carver 2–12, Michael Morton 1–5, Jerry Golsteyn 3–3
- CHI: Walter Payton 17–45, Matt Suhey 11–31, Jim McMahon 2–15, Willie Gault 1–4 Receiving
- TB: Gerald Carter 6–98, Jimmie Giles 7–80, Theo Bell 1–52, James Owens 2–14, Kevin House 3–11, Michael Morton 1–9, Andre Tyler 1–9, Mel Carver 1–4
- CHI: Walter Payton 6–115, TD, Willie Gault 3–75, Matt Suhey 4–57, Ken Margerum 2–26, Emery Moorehead 1–13 CHI: Mike Hartenstine 2.0 sacks, Terry Schmidt INT
Week 3: at New Orleans Saints
Week 4: at Baltimore Colts
Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 8: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 11: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 12: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers
Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers
;First quarter
- CHI – Willie Gault 35-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Bob Thomas kick), 9:24. Bears 7–0.
- GB – Lynn Dickey 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 8:10. Tie 7–7. ;Second quarter
- GB – James Lofton 31-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Jan Stenerud kick), 3:05. Packers 14–7. ;Third quarter
- CHI – Dennis McKinnon 22-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Bob Thomas kick), 6:35. Tie 14–14. ;Fourth quarter
- CHI – Jim McMahon 6-yard run (kick failed), 4:34. Bears 20–14.
- GB – Paul Coffman 5-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Jan Stenerud kick), 3:08. Packers 21–20.
- CHI – Bob Thomas 22-yard field goal, 0:10. Bears 23–21. ;Top passers
- GB – Lynn Dickey – 10/30, 262 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
- CHI – Jim McMahon – 14/25, 162 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT ;Top rushers
- GB – Jessie Clark – 7 rushes, 61 yards
- CHI – Walter Payton – 30 rushes, 148 yards ;Top receivers
- GB – Paul Coffman – 4 receptions, 122 yards, TD
- CHI – Willie Gault – 2 receptions, 50 yards, TD
Standings
References
References
- "1983 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- "1983 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- "NFLs top 10 draft classes in league history". [[National Football League]].
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194234/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121192/2/index.htm ''Sports Illustrated''. 1 Sept 1983]
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198312110min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Mar-02.
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