1983 Detroit Lions season: Difference between revisions

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NFL team 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 other four 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, made the playoffs in a non-strike season for the first time since 1970, and they would make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since playing for the NFL championship in 1952, 1953 and 1954. The Lions would not return to the postseason for another eight years and not do so in consecutive seasons until doing it three straight years from 1993 to 1995.

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 13½ sacks of his own. In the NFC playoffs, the Lions lead the San Francisco 49ers late into the fourth 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]

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

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Lions	5	0	3	3	11
Buccaneers	0	0	0	0	0

Date: September 4
Location: Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game start: 1:00 p.m.
Game attendance: 62,154
Game weather: 82 °F or 27.8 °C, wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
Referee: Gordon McCarter
Television network: CBS

^[2]

Billy Sims, rather than be tackled during a rushing attempt, ran at, jumped, and, while fully airborne, kicked Oilers cornerback Steve Brown in the head.

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Lions	Passing	Eric Hipple	17/29, 213 Yds, 3 INT
	Rushing	Billy Sims	20 Rush, 105 Yds, TD
	Receiving	Billy Sims	9 Rec, 90 Yds
Oilers	Passing	Oliver Luck	18/26, 189 Yds, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Earl Campbell	28 Rush, 107 Yds
	Receiving	Mike Renfro	7 Rec, 75 Yds

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 | playoffs = Lost [[1983–84 NFL playoffs|Divisional Playoffs]]<br>(at [[1983 San Francisco 49ers season|49ers]]) 23–24
 | pro_bowlers = DT [[Doug English]]
-| AP All-pros = DT [[Doug English]] <small>(2nd team)</small>
+| -pros = DT [[Doug English]] <small>(2nd team)</small>
 | shortnavlink = Lions seasons
 }}


Q1	DET	Safety, Jerry Golsteyn tackled by Doug English in end zone	DET 2–0

Q1	DET	Eddie Murray 29 yard field goal	DET 5–0

Q3	DET	Eddie Murray 48 yard field goal	DET 8–0

Q4	DET	Eddie Murray 38 yard field goal	DET 11–0

Latest revision as of 05:56, 4 February 2026

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