1982 Denver Broncos season

Last updated

1982 Denver Broncos season
Owner Edgar Kaiser
General manager Grady Alderman
Head coach Dan Reeves
Home field Mile High Stadium
Results
Record2–7
Division place12th AFC
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1982 Denver Broncos season was the team's 23rd year in professional football and its 13th with the National Football League (NFL). The Broncos played only nine games this season, owing to the strike imposed by the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). The Broncos were looking to improve on their 10–6 record from 1981. But due to many injuries plus the strike, the Broncos only won two games and lost seven. This was their worst record since 1971, their first losing season since 1975, and their first with fewer than three wins since 1964. Both of the Broncos’ wins came against interconference teams, and the team only won one home game the entire season, against the reigning Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers. Their only other win was against the Los Angeles Rams. The Broncos went winless against AFC foes in 1982, although all their non-division AFC games [lower-roman 1] were cancelled by the strike.

Contents

NFL Draft

1982 Denver Broncos draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
121 Gerald Willhite   RB San Jose State
250 Orlando McDaniel   WR LSU
4106Dan Plater  WR BYU
5131 Sammy Winder  *  RB Southern Mississippi
7189Alvin Ruben  DE Houston
9243 Keith Uecker   OT Auburn
10274 Ken Woodard   LB Tuskegee
11300Stuart Yatsko  G Oregon
12327 Brian Clark   G Clemson
      Made roster        Pro Football Hall of Fame     *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff

1982 Denver Broncos staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches



[2]

Roster

1982 Denver Broncos roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams


Rookies in italics

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1August 14at Los Angeles Rams W 33–201–0 Anaheim Stadium 57,482
2August 21 Miami Dolphins W 17–142–0 Mile High Stadium 77,465
3August 28 Minnesota Vikings W 27–173–0 Mile High Stadium 73,371
4September 4at New York Jets W 20–134–0 Giants Stadium 43,820

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1 September 12 San Diego Chargers L 3–230–1 Mile High Stadium 73,564
2 September 19 San Francisco 49ers W 24–211–1 Mile High Stadium 73,899
September 26at New Orleans Saints Cancelled due to the NFLPA Players' strike †
October 3 Pittsburgh Steelers
October 10at New York Jets
October 17at Houston Oilers
October 24 Los Angeles Raiders
October 31 Buffalo Bills
November 7at Seattle Seahawks Postponed until January 2, 1983 due to the NFLPA Players' strike
November 14at Kansas City Chiefs Cancelled due to the NFLPA Players' strike †
10 November 21 Seattle Seahawks L 10–171–2 Mile High Stadium 73,996
11 November 28at San Diego Chargers L 20–301–3 Jack Murphy Stadium 47,629
12 December 5 Atlanta Falcons L 27–341–4 Mile High Stadium 73,984
13 December 12at Los Angeles Rams W 27–242–4 Anaheim Stadium 48,112
14 December 19 Kansas City Chiefs L 16–372–5 Mile High Stadium 74,192
15 December 26at Los Angeles Raiders L 10–272–6 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 44,160
16 January 2, 1983at Seattle Seahawks L 11–132–7 Kingdome 43,145
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 12, 1982): vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 1: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chargers3310723
Broncos03003

at Mile High StadiumDenver, Colorado

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SDPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
ChargersGame StatisticsBroncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 2 (Sunday, September 19, 1982): vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
49ers1470021
Broncos7701024

at Mile High StadiumDenver, Colorado

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SFPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
49ersGame StatisticsBroncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 10 (Sunday, November 21, 1982): vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 10: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks0071017
Broncos073010

at Mile High StadiumDenver, Colorado

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SEAPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
SeahawksGame StatisticsBroncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 11 (Sunday, November 28, 1982): at San Diego Chargers

Week 11: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos377320
Chargers01731030

at Jack Murphy StadiumSan Diego, California

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
SDPassing
Rushing
Receiving
BroncosGame StatisticsChargers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 12 (Sunday, December 5, 1982): vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 12: Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Falcons (3–2)77101034
Broncos (1–4)1433727

at Mile High StadiumDenver, Colorado

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ATLPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
FalconsGame StatisticsBroncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 13 (Sunday, December 12, 1982): at Los Angeles Rams

Week 13: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos01431027
Rams7140324

at Anaheim StadiumAnaheim, California

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
RAMPassing
Rushing
Receiving
BroncosGame StatisticsRams
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 14 (Sunday, December 19, 1982): vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chiefs37101737
Broncos0133016

at Mile High StadiumDenver, Colorado

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KCPassing
Rushing
Receiving
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
ChiefsGame StatisticsBroncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 15 (Sunday, December 26, 1982): at Los Angeles Raiders

Week 15: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos0001010
Raiders3240027

at Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, California

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
RAIPassing
Rushing
Receiving
BroncosGame StatisticsRaiders
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 16 (Sunday, January 2, 1983): at Seattle Seahawks

Week 16: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos207211
Seahawks3001013

at KingdomeSeattle, Washington

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
DENPassing
Rushing
Receiving
SEAPassing
Rushing
Receiving
BroncosGame StatisticsSeahawks
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession

Individual stats

Standings

AFC West
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Los Angeles Raiders (1)810.8895–05–1260200W5
San Diego Chargers (5)630.6672–35–3288221L1
Seattle Seahawks 450.4442–13–5127147W1
Kansas City Chiefs 360.3332–13–3176184W1
Denver Broncos 270.2220–60–6148226L3
#TeamWLTPCTPFPASTK
Seeded postseason qualifiers
1 Los Angeles Raiders 810.889260200W5
2 [lower-alpha 1] Miami Dolphins 720.778198131W3
3 [lower-alpha 1] Cincinnati Bengals 720.778232177W2
4 [lower-alpha 2] [lower-alpha 3] Pittsburgh Steelers 630.667204146W2
5 [lower-alpha 2] [lower-alpha 3] San Diego Chargers 630.667288221L1
6 [lower-alpha 3] New York Jets 630.667245166L1
7 New England Patriots 540.556143157W1
8 [lower-alpha 4] Cleveland Browns 450.444140182L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
9 [lower-alpha 4] Buffalo Bills 450.444150154L3
10 [lower-alpha 4] Seattle Seahawks 450.444127147W1
11 Kansas City Chiefs 360.333176184W1
12 Denver Broncos 270.222148226L3
13 Houston Oilers 180.111136245L7
14 Baltimore Colts 081.056113236L2
Tiebreakers
  1. 1 2 Miami finished ahead of Cincinnati based on better conference record (6–1 to Cincinnati’s 6–2).
  2. 1 2 Pittsburgh finished ahead of San Diego based on better record against common opponents (3–1 to Chargers' 2–1). Conference tiebreak was initially used to eliminate New York Jets.
  3. 1 2 3 Pittsburgh and San Diego finished ahead of New York Jets based on conference record (Pittsburgh and San Diego 5–3 against Jets’ 2–3)
  4. 1 2 3 Cleveland finished ahead of Buffalo and Buffalo ahead of Seattle based on conference record (4–3 to Buffalo’s 3–3 to Seattle’s 3–5).

Notes

  1. The Broncos were scheduled to play the Steelers and Bills at home and the Jets and Oilers — who finished 1–8 — away. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1983 Los Angeles Raiders season</span> NFL team season (won Super Bowl)

The 1983 season was the Los Angeles Raiders' 14th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 24th season overall, and their second season in Los Angeles. The team began by attempting to improve on their 8–1 record from 1982 and went on to win the Super Bowl for the third time in franchise history. Prior to the Los Angeles Rams victory in Super Bowl LVI, the 1983 Raiders were the only NFL team to win the Super Bowl while based in Los Angeles. They became the 2nd team in NFL history to win 3 Super Bowls, the first being the Steelers.

The 1983 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 14th season in the National Football League and the 24th overall. They matched on their 6–10 record and last place finish in the AFC West.

The 1993 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 18th in the National Football League (NFL). Playing under head coach and general manager Tom Flores, the team finished with a 6–10 win–loss record in the AFC West and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season. In the first round of the 1993 NFL draft, Seattle selected quarterback Rick Mirer, who became their starter for the 1993 season.

The 1992 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's 17th season with the National Football League (NFL). This was the first of three seasons in Seattle for head coach Tom Flores, but the Seahawks' winning percentage (.125) remains the worst in franchise history.

The 1991 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's 16th season with the National Football League (NFL). The 1991 season was the last season for head coach Chuck Knox, who left to become head coach of the Los Angeles Rams while president and general manager Tom Flores replaced him.

The 1990 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's 15th season with the National Football League (NFL). The team improved on its 7–9 record from 1989, finishing 9–7. Despite the winning record, the team missed the postseason.

The 1989 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's 14th season with the National Football League (NFL). The season marked the end of an era for the team, as the last remaining original Seahawk, longtime wide receiver Steve Largent, retired after playing 14 seasons in the league, all with the Seahawks. At the time of his retirement, he was the NFL's all-time reception leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 Seattle Seahawks season</span> NFL team season

The 1986 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's eleventh in the National Football League (NFL). Despite posting a 10–6 record and having a dominant five-game win streak to close out the season, the Seahawks narrowly missed the playoffs, losing the tiebreakers with both AFC wild card teams.

The 1985 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's tenth season with the National Football League (NFL). The team finished with an 8-8 record and a 3rd place finish in the AFC West and missed the playoffs.

The 1983 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's 8th season with the National Football League (NFL).

The 1979 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's fourth season in the National Football League (NFL). The Seahawks had a winning record for the second consecutive year, matching their 9–7 record from 1978.

The 1978 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's third season in the National Football League (NFL). The Seahawks won nine games, giving the franchise its first winning season. Coach Jack Patera won the National Football League Coach of the Year Award at seasons end.

The 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 51st season in the National Football League.

The 1986 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 17th season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 27th overall. the team failed to improve on their 8–8 record from 1985. Following a stagnant 1–7 start, Head Coach Don Coryell was fired and Al Saunders was named interim Head Coach. After the season, Saunders was named the permanent Head Coach and would hold the position through the end of the 1988 season. Leslie O'Neal was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The 1984 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 15th season in the National Football League (NFL) and its 25th overall. From a 6–10 record in 1983, the team improved to 7–9. Despite winning seven games, the Chargers failed to win a single game within their division.

The 1977 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's eighth season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 18th overall. It was Tommy Prothro's final full season as the team's head coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Houston Oilers season</span> NFL team season

The 1979 Houston Oilers season was the franchise's 20th overall and the tenth in the National Football League. The franchise scored 362 points while the defense gave up 331 points. Their record of 11 wins and 5 losses resulted in a second-place finish in the AFC Central Division. The Oilers appeared once on Monday Night Football on December 10, 1979 where the sports promotion Luv ya Blue was launched and returned to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year. Earl Campbell would lead the NFL in rushing for the second consecutive year and set a franchise record for most touchdowns in a season with 19. The Oilers would make the playoffs again as a wild card. In the wild card game, they beat the Denver Broncos 13–7, and then defeated the San Diego Chargers 17–14 in San Diego to reach their second straight AFC Championship game. The Oilers then played the Pittsburgh Steelers, who a year earlier had eliminated them 34–5 in the previous AFC Championship game. The Oilers lost the game 27–13. The game included a controversial moment in which wide receiver Mike Renfro had a touchdown called back after the referees of the game took a long time to decide the ruling on the field. The call went down as one of the most controversial calls in NFL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1983 Denver Broncos season</span> NFL team season

The 1983 Denver Broncos season was its 24th in professional football and 14th in the National Football League (NFL). Led by third-year head coach Dan Reeves, the Broncos were 9–7, third in the AFC West, and made their first playoff appearance in four seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Denver Broncos season</span> NFL team season

The 1980 Denver Broncos season was the team's 21st year in professional football and its 11th with the National Football League (NFL). Led by fourth-year head coach Red Miller the Broncos were 8–8, tied for third in the AFC West, and missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

The 1981 Denver Broncos season was the team's 22nd year in professional football and its 12th with the National Football League (NFL). Led by first-year head coach Dan Reeves, the Broncos were 10–6, tied for first in the AFC West, but failed to make the postseason again due to their loss to the Buffalo Bills, who gained the final berth.

References

  1. Urena, Ivan (2014). Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Guide from 1933 to the Presen. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 98–103. ISBN   9780786473519.
  2. 2010 Denver Broncos Media Guide. p. 363. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  3. Pro Football Reference ; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 12, 1982
  4. The Football Database; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 12, 1982
  5. Pro Football Reference ; San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – September 19, 1982
  6. The Football Database; San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – September 19, 1982
  7. Pro Football Reference ; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 21, 1982
  8. The Football Database; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 21, 1982
  9. Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 28, 1982
  10. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 28, 1982
  11. Pro Football Reference ; Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos – December 5, 1982
  12. The Football Database; Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos – December 5, 1982
  13. Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams – December 12, 1982
  14. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams – December 12, 1982
  15. Pro Football Reference ; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 19, 1982
  16. The Football Database; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 19, 1982
  17. Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – December 26, 1982
  18. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – December 26, 1982
  19. Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – January 2, 1983
  20. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – January 2, 1983