1983 Seattle Seahawks season

Last updated

1983 Seattle Seahawks season
Owner The Nordstrom family
General manager Mike McCormack
Head coach Chuck Knox
Home stadium Kingdome
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd AFC West
PlayoffsWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Broncos) 31–7
Won Divisional Playoffs
(at Dolphins) 27–20
Lost AFC Championship
(at Raiders) 14–30
Pro Bowlers RB Curt Warner
SS Kenny Easley
All-Pros RB Curt Warner (2nd team)
SS Kenny Easley (1st team)

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

Contents

The 1983 season was the first season head coach Chuck Knox coached the team. It was also the first season in which the Seahawks made the AFC playoffs, where they won the first two postseason games in franchise history, before losing in the AFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Raiders 30–14. The AFC Championship game against the Raiders would be the only time the Seahawks would appear in the AFC Championship Game, as they failed to appear in one from 1984 to 2001, the rest of their time in the AFC. They would not reach a conference championship again until 2005, when they were in the NFC West. During the offseason, the Seahawks changed the color of the facemasks on their helmets from gray to blue.

Offseason

The Seattle Seahawks hired Chuck Knox, a coach capable of creating comebacks for teams. They also modified their uniforms, incorporating striping trim on the jersey collars, and incorprorating the Seahawks logo onto the jersey's sleeves. The TV numbers were moved from the jersey sleeves to the shoulders. The helmet facemasks became blue, and the socks lost their stripes and became all blue. The uniform would remain basically unchanged through the 2001 season.

NFL draft

1983 Seattle Seahawks draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
1 3 Curt Warner Running back Penn State
5 123 Chris Castor Wide receiver Duke
6 150Reginald GipsonRunning Back Alabama A&M
7 177 Sam Merriman Linebacker Idaho
8 210 Matt Hernandez Offensive tackle Purdue
9 236 Bob Clasby Defensive end Notre Dame
10 263Pete Speros Offensive Guard Penn State
11 290Bob MayberryOffensive Guard Clemson
12 317Don Dow Offensive tackle Washington

Personnel

Staff

1983 Seattle Seahawks staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Tom Catlin
  • Defensive line – George Dyer
  • Defensive backs – Ralph Hawkins
  • Special assignments – Joe Vitt

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Rusty Tillman


Final roster

1983 Seattle Seahawks 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 (ST)

Reserve

Rookies in italics
54 active, 1 reserve, 0 practice squad

[1]

Schedule

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteRecap
1August 5at Denver Broncos L 7–100–1 Mile High Stadium Recap
2August 12 Green Bay Packers W 38–211–1 Kingdome Recap
3August 19 Minnesota Vikings L 17–191–2Kingdome Recap
4August 26at San Francisco 49ers W 20–62–2 Candlestick Park Recap
Source: Seahawks Media Guides [2] [3]

Regular season

Divisional matchups have the AFC West playing the NFC East.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteRecap
1September 4at Kansas City Chiefs L 13–170–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
2September 11at New York Jets W 17–101–1 Shea Stadium Recap
3September 18 San Diego Chargers W 34–312–1 Kingdome Recap
4September 25 Washington Redskins L 17–272–2Kingdome Recap
5October 2at Cleveland Browns W 24–93–2 Cleveland Stadium Recap
6October 9at San Diego ChargersL 21–283–3 Jack Murphy Stadium Recap
7October 16 Los Angeles Raiders W 38–364–3Kingdome Recap
8October 23 Pittsburgh Steelers L 21–274–4Kingdome Recap
9October 30at Los Angeles RaidersW 34–215–4 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap
10November 6 Denver Broncos W 27–196–4Kingdome Recap
11November 13at St. Louis Cardinals L 28–336–5 Busch Stadium Recap
12November 20at Denver BroncosL 27–386–6 Mile High Stadium Recap
13November 27Kansas City ChiefsW 51–48 (OT)7–6Kingdome Recap
14December 4 Dallas Cowboys L 10–357–7Kingdome Recap
15December 11at New York Giants W 17–128–7 Giants Stadium Recap
16December 18 New England Patriots W 24–69–7Kingdome Recap
Bold indicates division opponents.
Source: 1983 NFL season results [4]

Postseason

The Seahawks entered the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, after two close attempts in 1978 and 1979.

RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordGame siteRecap
Wild CardDecember 24 Denver Broncos (5)W 31–71–0 Kingdome Recap
DivisionalDecember 31at Miami Dolphins (2)W 27–202–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap
AFC ChampionshipJanuary 8, 1984at Los Angeles Raiders (1)L 14–302–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap

Standings

AFC West
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Los Angeles Raiders (1)1240.7506–210–2442338W1
Seattle Seahawks (4)970.5635–38–4403397W2
Denver Broncos (5)970.5633–59–5302327L1
San Diego Chargers 6100.3754–44–8358462L1
Kansas City Chiefs 6100.3752–64–8386367W1

Game summaries

Preseason

Week P1: at Denver Broncos

Preseason Week One: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks07007
Broncos307010

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: August 5
  • Game time: 7:00 pm local
  • Game weather: cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C), 63% humidity, wind S 15 miles per hour (24 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 53,887
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (KING): Tony Ventrella & Gene Washington
  • Gamebook

Week P2: vs. Green Bay Packers

Preseason Week Two: Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Packers7140021
Seahawks71471038

at Kingdome, Seattle

Week P3: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Preseason Week Three: Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Vikings0160319
Seahawks730717

at Kingdome, Seattle

  • Date: August 19
  • Game time: 7:34 pm local
  • Game weather: indoors
  • Game attendance: 54,402
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • Gamebook

Week P4: at San Francisco 49ers

Preseason Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks377320
49ers30306

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Regular season

Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week One: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks303713
Chiefs707317

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 2: at New York Jets

Week Two: Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks0100717
Jets030710

at Shea Stadium, New York

Game information

Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week Three: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chargers7302131
Seahawks14310734

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 4: vs. Washington Redskins

Week Four: Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Redskins7130727
Seahawks370717

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 5: at Cleveland Browns

Week Five: Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks3071424
Browns03069

at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 1:00 pm local
  • Game weather: clear, 68 °F (20 °C), 68% humidity, wind S 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 75,446
  • Referee: Chuck Heberling
  • TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone and Dave Rowe
  • Gamebook
Game information

Week 6: at San Diego Chargers

Week Six: Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks7140021
Chargers0771428

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Raiders

Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Raiders71051436
Seahawks70171438

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 8: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Eight: Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Steelers7170327
Seahawks0071421

at Kingdome, Seattle

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 1:01 pm local
  • Game weather: indoors
  • Game attendance: 61,615
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
  • Gamebook
Game information

Week 9: at Los Angeles Raiders

Week Nine: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks01771034
Raiders077721

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 1:00 pm local
  • Game weather: overcast, 74 °F (23 °C), 76% humidity, wind W 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 49,708
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg & Merlin Olsen
  • Gamebook
Game information

Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Ten: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos0361019
Seahawks6014727

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 11: at St. Louis Cardinals

Week Eleven: Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks7140728
Cardinals7210533

at Busch Memorial Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:00 pm local
  • Game weather: cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C), 75% humidity, wind S 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 33,280
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Gene Washington
  • Gamebook
Game information

Week 12: at Denver Broncos

Week Twelve: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks0713727
Broncos101071138

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 pm local
  • Game weather: clear, 50 °F (10 °C), 36% humidity, wind E 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 74,710
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and John Brodie
  • Gamebook
Game information

Week 13: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Thirteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Chiefs721713048
Seahawks771717351

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week Fourteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cowboys7771435
Seahawks030710

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 15: at New York Giants

Week Fifteen: Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks7100017
Giants333312

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 pm local
  • Game weather: cloudy, 38 °F (3 °C), wind E 17 miles per hour (27 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 48,945
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Gene Washington
  • Gamebook
Game information

Week 16: vs. New England Patriots

Week Sixteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Patriots06006
Seahawks377724

at Kingdome, Seattle

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 1:02 pm local
  • Game weather: indoors
  • Game attendance: 59,688
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Bob Griese
  • Gamebook
Game information

Postseason

Seattle entered the postseason as the #4 seed in the AFC.

AFC Wild Card Playoff: vs. #5 Denver Broncos

AFC Wild Card Playoff: #5 Denver Broncos at #4 Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Broncos70007
Seahawks7371431

at Kingdome, Seattle

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:04 pm local
  • Game weather: indoors
  • Game attendance: 60,752
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Bob Griese
  • Gamebook
Game information

AFC Divisional Playoff: at #2 Miami Dolphins

AFC Divisional Playoff: #4 Seattle Seahawks at #2 Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks0771327
Dolphins0130720

at Orange Bowl, Miami

Game information

AFC Championship Game: at #1 Los Angeles Raiders

AFC Championship Game: #4 Seattle Seahawks at #1 Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Seahawks007714
Raiders3177330

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

  • Date: January 8
  • Game time: 1:04 pm local
  • Game weather: overcast, 66 °F (19 °C), 81% humidity, wind E 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 88,734
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
  • Gamebook
Game information

References

  1. "Home". pro-football-reference.com.
  2. 1983 Seahawks Media Guide, accessed February 14, 2015.
  3. 1984 Seahawks Media Guide, accessed February 14, 2015.
  4. 1983 NFL season results, NFL.com, accessed February 14, 2015.