1983 Detroit Lions season
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. 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 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|
• Lions |
5 |
0 | 3 | 3 |
11 |
Buccaneers |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
|
|
Scoring summary |
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|
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 |
|
[2]
Standings
Final Roster
1983 Detroit Lions final roster |
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
49 Active, 3 Inactive, 0 Practice squad
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Postseason
References
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