1983 Washington Redskins season

Roster

• Rick Walker

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

• Redskins - Mark Moseley 23 yard field goal - Redskins 3–0
• Redskins - John Riggins 1 yard rush (Mark Moseley kick) - Redskins 10–0 Second quarter
• Cowboys - Rafael Septién 26 yard field goal - Redskins 10–3
• Redskins - Mark Moseley 30 yard field goal - Redskins 13–3
• Redskins - Mark Moseley 39 yard field goal - Redskins 16–3
• Redskins - Charlie Brown 41 yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) - Redskins 23–3 Third quarter
• Cowboys - Tony Hill 75 yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septién kick) - Redskins 23–10
• Cowboys - Tony Hill 51 yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septién kick) - Redskins 23–17 Fourth quarter
• Cowboys - Danny White 1 yard rush (Rafael Septién kick) - Cowboys 24–23
• Cowboys - Doug Cosbie 1 yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septién kick) - Cowboys 31–23
• Redskins - Don Warren 1 yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) - Cowboys 31–30 Passing
• Cowboys – Danny White – 9/20, 193 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int, 75 Lng
• Redskins – Joe Theismann – 28/38, 325 Yds, 2 TD, 1 Int, 41 Lng Rushing
• Cowboys – Tony Dorsett – 14 att/151 yds, 0 TD, 77 Lng
• Cowboys – Ron Springs – 9 att/32 yds, 0 TD, 8 Lng
• Redskins – John Riggins – 27 att/89 yds, 1 TD, 18 Lng
• Redskins – Joe Washington – 5 att/9 yds, 0 TD, 5 Lng Receiving
• Cowboys – Tony Hill – 3 Rec, 133 yds, 2 TD, 75 Lng
• Cowboys – Doug Cosbie – 3 Rec, 36 yds, 1 TD, 18 Lng
• Cowboys – Ron Springs – 2 Rec, 17 yds, 0 TD, 10 Lng
• Cowboys – Drew Pearson – 1 Rec, 7 yds, 0 TD, 7 Lng
• Redskins – Alvin Garret – 10 Rec, 101 yds, 0 TD, 21 Lng
• Redskins – Charlie Brown – 6 Rec, 97 yds, 1 TD, 41 Lng
• Redskins – Rick Walker – 4 Rec, 45 yds, 0 TD, 21 Lng
• Redskins – Don Warren – 2 Rec, 9 yds, 1 TD, 8 Lng
• Redskins – Joe Washington – 2 Rec, 28 yds, 0 TD, 15 Lng

Vegas Spread

• Vegas Line= Dal -1.5
• Over/Under= 41 (Over)

Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

To date, this marks the only time that Washington has defeated Kansas City.

Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 5: vs. Los Angeles Raiders

Week 6: at St. Louis Cardinals

Week 7: at Green Bay Packers

First quarter

• Packers - Mike Douglass 22 yard fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick) - WAS 0, GNB 7
• Redskins - Clint Didier 0 yard fumble return (Mark Moseley kick) - WAS 7, GNB 7
• Packers - Jan Stenerud 47 yard field goal - WAS 7, GNB 10
• Redskins - Mark Moseley 42 yard field goal - WAS 10, GNB 10 Second quarter
• Packers - Paul Coffman 36 yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Jan Stenerud kick) - WAS 10, GNB 17
• Redskins -John Riggins 1 yard rush (Mark Moseley kick) - WAS 17, GNB 17
• Packers - Paul Coffman 9 yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Jan Stenerud kick) - WAS 17, GNB 24
• Redskins - Mark Moseley 28 yard field goal - WAS 20, GNB 24 Third quarter
• Packers - Gerry Ellis 24 yard rush (Jan Stenerud kick) - WAS 20, GNB 31
• Redskins - Mark Moseley 31 yard field goal - WAS 23, GNB 31
• Redskins -Joe Washington 6 yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) - WAS 30, GNB 31
• Redskins - Mark Moseley 28 yard field goal - WAS 33, GNB 31 Fourth quarter
• Packers - Gary Lewis 2 yard rush (Jan Stenerud kick) - WAS 33, GNB 38
• Redskins - John Riggins 1 yard rush (Mark Moseley kick) - WAS 40, GNB 38
• Packers - Mike Meade 31 yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Jan Stenerud kick) - WAS 40, GNB 45
• Redskins - Joe Washington 5 yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) - WAS 47, GNB 45
• Packers - Jan Stenerud 20 yard field goal - WAS 47, GNB 48

Redskins

• Passing
• Joe Theismann - 27/39, 398 Yds, 2 TD, 0 Int, 35 Lng
• Rushing
• John Riggins - 25 Att, 98 Yds, 2 TD, 36 Lng
• Joe Washington - 16 Att, 80 Yds, 0 TD, 19 Lng
• Joe Theismann - 1 Att, 14 Yds, 0 TD, 14 Lng
• Receiving
• Art Monk - 5 Rec, 105 Yds, 0 TD, 56 Lng
• Charlie Brown - 6 Rec, 91 Yds, 0 TD, 20 Lng
• Don Warren - 4 Rec, 70 Yds, 0 TD, 29 Lng
• Joe Washington - 9 Rec, 57 Yds, 2 TD, 13 Lng
• Nick Giaquinto - 2 Rec, 66 Yds, 0 TD, 35 Lng Packers
• Passing
• Lynn Dickey - 22/31, 387 Yds, 3 TD, 1 Int, 56 Lng
• Rushing
• Gerry Ellis - 3 Att, 41 Yds, 1 TD, 24 Lng
• Mike Meade - 2 Att, 6 Yds, 0 TD, 9 Lng
• James Lofton - 1 Att, 6 Yds, 0 TD, 6 Lng
• Receiving
• James Lofton - 5 Rec, 96 Yds, 0 TD, 40 Lng
• John Jefferson - 4 Rec, 50 Yds, 0 TD, 19 Lng
• Paul Coffman - 6 Rec, 124 Yds, 2 TD, 36 Lng
• Gerry Ellis - 4 Rec, 105 Yds, 0 TD, 56 Lng
• Mike Meade - 2 Rec, 35 Yds, 1 TD, 31 Lng

Vegas Spread

• Vegas Line= Washington -3.0
• Over/Under= 52.0**(over)**

Packers Defeat Redskins in 48–47 Monday Night Thriller The Green Bay Packers were facing a major challenge as they hosted the Washington Redskins on October 17, 1983. At 3–3, Head Coach Bart Starr’s Packers were a team that could put points on the board, especially with QB Lynn Dickey (pictured above) passing to wide receivers James Lofton and John Jefferson and TE Paul Coffman. But they also gave up points and came into the game with the 28th-ranked defense in the NFL. They also had to make adjustments on the offensive line, with G Tim Huffman out with an ankle injury that necessitated moving Greg Koch over from his OT position and starting Charlie Getty at tackle.

Having a poor defense was not a good situation to be in when facing the Redskins. Coached by Joe Gibbs, they were coming off a Super Bowl-winning season and, if anything, were even stronger in ‘83. Behind the best offensive line in the league, QB Joe Theismann was a proficient passer and RB John Riggins a powerful force running the ball. If there was a weak point, it was the defensive backfield, but Washington was cruising at 5–1, with a close opening-game loss to the Cowboys the only blemish.

There were 55,255 fans in attendance for the Monday night game at Lambeau Field. Just over a minute into the first quarter, they had reason to get excited when Green Bay LB Mike Douglass forced RB Joe Washington to fumble and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown and, with Jan Stenerud’s extra point added, the early 7–0 lead.

DB Mike Nelms returned the kickoff 41 yards and the Redskins drove 55 yards in six plays, highlighted by Theismann’s pass to WR Art Monk for a 34-yard gain. The series ended with John Riggins fumbling into the end zone and TE Clint Didier recovering for a TD. Mark Moseley tied the score with his PAT.

Green Bay responded with a 10-play, 40-yard drive. Lynn Dickey threw to Paul Coffman for 17 yards and John Jefferson for 13 along the way and Stenerud kicked a 47-yard field goal that put the Packers back in front by three.

Washington moved the ball quickly downfield with Theismann connecting with Monk for a 22-yard gain and with RB Nick Giaquinto for 31 more yards. But the Green Bay defense came through with back-to-back sacks of Theismann and the Redskins had to settle for a 42-yard Moseley field goal. The eventful first quarter ended with the score tied at 10–10.

Things did not slow down as the game approached the second quarter. Dickey threw to James Lofton for 21 yards and the Packers picked up 15 more on a penalty when CB Darrell Green hit the receiver out of bounds. Dickey then tossed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Coffman. Stenerud added the extra point and the home team was back in front by 17–10.

Back came the Redskins, moving 67 yards in seven plays and highlighted by a 36-yard carry by Riggins. Riggins scored from a yard out and Moseley again knotted the score with the successful PAT.

The Packers reached the Washington 33 on the next series before a Dickey pass was intercepted by CB Anthony Washington. After getting a first down, the Redskins were finally forced to punt and Green Bay came back with a 73-yard, seven-play possession. RB Eddie Lee Ivery tossed an option pass to Coffman for 15 yards and a first down at the Washington 9 from where Coffman caught a scoring pass, this time from Dickey. Stenerud added the extra point and once again the Packers were in front by a touchdown.

With less than two minutes remaining in the half, the Redskins came out throwing. Theismann completed five passes to reach the Green Bay 11 and Moseley booted a 28-yard field goal as the clock reached five seconds. The Packers carried a 24–20 lead into the intermission.

Starting off the third quarter, the Packers struck quickly as they advanced 80 yards in just 42 seconds. Dickey threw to Coffman for 40 yards and then RB Gerry Ellis, taking advantage of a big hole, ran 24 yards for a touchdown. The home team had its biggest lead of the day at 31-20.

Washington seemed on the verge of responding with a touchdown, reaching the Green Bay four, but an offensive pass interference penalty nullified an apparent scoring catch and once again the Redskins settled for a Moseley field goal, this time from 31 yards.

Starting off the third quarter, the Packers struck quickly as they advanced 80 yards in just 42 seconds. Dickey threw to Coffman for 40 yards and then RB Gerry Ellis, taking advantage of a big hole, ran 24 yards for a touchdown. The home team had its biggest lead of the day at 31-20.

Washington seemed on the verge of responding with a touchdown, reaching the Green Bay four, but an offensive pass interference penalty nullified an apparent scoring catch and once again the Redskins settled for a Moseley field goal, this time from 31 yards.

Up by eight points, the Packers were forced to punt on their next series and Bucky Scribner’s kick was blocked to give the Redskins the ball at the Green Bay 19. Five plays later, Theismann threw to Joe Washington for a six-yard TD and, with Moseley’s PAT, the Green Bay lead was down to 31–30.

Washington’s defense again asserted itself as Dickey was sacked twice by DT Dave Butz. Nelms made a good return of the ensuing punt by Scribner to give the visitors possession at their 46. From there, the Redskins again moved deep into Green Bay territory, but after reaching the nine yard line, Douglass tackled Joe Washington for a loss and once again Washington was held to a field goal. Still, Moseley connected from 28 yards and put the visitors ahead by 33–31 with ten seconds left in the period.

RB Harlan Huckleby returned the ensuing kickoff for 54 yards to the Washington 39 and the fourth quarter started with Dickey throwing to Ellis for 32 yards. Shortly thereafter, TE Gary Lewis scored a touchdown from two yards out on an end-around that put the Packers back in front.

The Redskins came right back again as Theismann threw to Monk for 25 yards and WR Charlie Brown for another 15. Riggins blasted into the end zone from a yard out and Washington was again in the lead of the wildly back-and-forth contest.

The Packers responded with another score of their own, with Dickey completing passes covering 19 yards to Jefferson and 17 yards to Lofton. An 11-yard touchdown pass to FB Mike Meade, followed by Stenerud’s extra point, again put Green Bay in front at 45–40.

Now it was Washington’s turn again. Theismann (pictured at right) threw to Monk for 21 yards and Joe Washington ran for two first downs. A sack of Theismann by DE Byron Braggs momentarily derailed the Redskins, but a pass to Giaquinto picked up 35 yards and set up a five-yard scoring toss to Washington. Moseley added the point and, with 2:50 left on the clock, the visitors were back on top at 47-45.

It looked bleak for the Packers when, following the kickoff, Dickey tossed two incomplete passes. But then he found Ellis on a short pass over the middle that turned into a 56-yard gain to the Washington eight and, after conservatively running the ball into the line three times, the dependable Stenerud came on to kick a 20-yard field goal. It was the fifth lead change of the final period and put the Packers ahead by a point.

There were still 54 seconds remaining in the contest, however, and while the Redskins had no timeouts remaining, they quickly moved the ball down the field. Theismann completed three passes to Joe Washington, gaining a total of 33 yards, and the running back made it out of bounds after each. Theismann then threw to Brown for 22 yards, but the clock was still running and the quarterback had to hurriedly toss a pass out of bounds with three seconds to go. On the last play of the game, Moseley missed a 39-yard field goal attempt, the fans erupted, and the Packers came away with the 48–47 win.

The combined 95 points was a new high for Monday Night Football until it was broken on November 19, 2018 when the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams combined to score 105 points. The teams also combined for 1025 yards of offense, with the Redskins topping Green Bay by 552 to 473. They had more first downs (33 to 23). Each team turned the ball over once, and there were just three punts in all (one by Washington, two for Green Bay, one of which was blocked by the Redskins).

“It was about the wildest thing I’ve ever been in,” said Lynn Dickey. “I wish I had been in the stands or at home watching on tv, it was that good.”

“It was a tremendously inspirational win because you could see the sort of enthusiasm and intensity that was on display tonight,” said Bart Starr. “You have to salute both teams because Washington, for the reasons demonstrated on the field, is a world-championship team. They are magnificent.”http://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2013/10/1983-packers-defeat-redskins-in-48-47.html

Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 9: at San Diego Chargers

Week 10: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Week 11: at New York Giants

Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 16: vs. New York Giants

First quarter

• Giants - Ali Haji-Sheikh 20 yard field goal - NYG 3, Wash 0 Second quarter
• Redskins - Charlie Brown 17 yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) - NYG 3, Wash 7
• Giants - Ali Haji-Sheikh 39 yard field goal - NYG 6, Wash 7
• Giants - Ali Haji-Sheikh 19 yard field goal - NYG 9, Wash 7
• Giants - Ali Haji-Sheikh 45 yard field goal - NYG 12, Wash 7 Third quarter
• Giants - Joe Morris 6 yard pass from Jeff Rutledge (Ali Haji-Sheikh kick) - NYG 19, Wash 7
• Redskins - Joe Theismann 3 yard rush (Mark Moseley kick) - NYG 19, Wash 14 Fourth quarter
• Redskins - Mark Moseley 46 yard field goal - NYG 19, Wash 17
• Giants - Ali Haji-Sheikh 28 yard field goal - NYG 22, Wash 17
• Redskins - Clint Didier 7 yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) - NYG 22, Wash 24
• Redskins - John Riggins 2 yard rush (Mark Moseley kick) - NYG 22, Wash 31

Vegas Spread

• Vegas Line= Wash -15.5
• Over/Under= 44.5**(Over)**

Playoffs

January 1, 1984

NFC: Washington Redskins 51, Los Angeles Rams 7

• Scoring
  • WAS – Riggins 3 run (Moseley kick)WAS 7–0
  • WAS – Monk 40 pass from Theismann (Moseley kick) 14–0
  • WAS – field goal Moseley 42 WAS 17–0
  • WAS – Riggins 1 run (Moseley kick) WAS 24–0
  • LA – Dennard 32 pass from Ferragamo (Lansford kick) WAS 24–7
  • WAS – Monk 21 pass from Theismann (Moseley kick) WAS 31–7
  • WAS – Riggins 1 run (Moseley kick) WAS 38–7
  • WAS – field goal Moseley 36 WAS 41–7
  • WAS – field goal Moseley 41 WAS 44–7
  • WAS – Green 72 interception return (Moseley kick) WAS 51–7

January 8, 1984

NFC Championship: Washington Redskins 24, San Francisco 49ers 21

• Scoring
  • WAS – Riggins 4 run (Moseley kick) WAS 7–0
  • WAS – Riggins 1 run (Moseley kick) WAS 14–0
  • WAS – Brown 70 pass from Theismann (Moseley kick) WAS 21–0
  • SF – Wilson 5 pass from Montana (Wersching kick) WAS 21–7
  • SF – Solomon 76 pass from Montana (Wersching kick) WAS 21–14
  • SF – Wilson 12 pass from Montana (Wersching kick) 21–21
  • WAS – field goal Moseley 25 WAS 24–21

Super Bowl XVIII: Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9

Standings

Awards and records

• Joe Gibbs, National Football League Coach of the Year Award
• John Riggins, Bert Bell Award
• Joe Theismann, AP NFL MVP
• Joe Theismann, PFWA NFL MVP
• Joe Theismann, NEA NFL MVP
• Joe Theismann, National Football League Offensive Player of the Year Award
• John Riggins, 1,347 Rushing Yards and set record with 24 rushing TDs (Held the TD record for 12 Years)
• Team scoring: 541 points (Held record until 1998)
• Turnover differential: +43 (Record still stands today. Next closest is Cleveland with +33 in 1946.)

References

References

1. [http://pfref.com/tiny/V40Cl Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1980 to 1989, in the NFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For], the record was eventually broken in 1998 by the [[1998 Minnesota Vikings season. Minnesota Vikings]] with 556, and then broken again in 2007 by the [[2007 New England Patriots season. New England Patriots]] with 589).
2. The team with the second-best turnover margin, the [[1946 Cleveland Browns season. 1946 Browns]], had a margin of 33: [http://pfref.com/tiny/7ivXH Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by descending Turnover Margin.]
3. As of the [[2011 NFL season. 2011 season]], only the 1983 Redskins and the [[1984 Seattle Seahawks season. 1984 Seattle Seahawks]] (63) have recorded more than 60 takeaways.
4. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198310020was.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
5. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198312110dal.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
6. "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients".