1983 Seattle Seahawks season

1983 Seattle Seahawks season
OwnerThe Nordstrom family
General managerMike McCormack
Head coachChuck Knox
Home fieldKingdome
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd AFC West
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Broncos) 31–7
Won Divisional Playoffs
(at Dolphins) 27–20
Lost AFC Championship
(at Raiders) 14–30
Pro BowlersRB Curt Warner
SS Kenny Easley
AP All-ProsRB 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).

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

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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

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1983 Seattle Seahawks Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 3 Curt Warner Running back Penn State
5 123 Chris Castor Wide receiver Duke
6 150 Reginald Gipson Running 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
10 263 Pete Speros Offensive Guard Penn State
11 290 Bob Mayberry Offensive Guard Clemson
12 317 Don Dow Offensive tackle Washington

Personnel

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Staff

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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

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1983 Seattle Seahawks roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)
  • 54 Eugene Williams

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Reserve

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

[1]

Schedule

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Preseason

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site Recap
1 August 5 at Denver Broncos L 7–10 0–1 Mile High Stadium Recap
2 August 12 Green Bay Packers W 38–21 1–1 Kingdome Recap
3 August 19 Minnesota Vikings L 17–19 1–2 Kingdome Recap
4 August 26 at San Francisco 49ers W 20–6 2–2 Candlestick Park Recap
Source: Seahawks Media Guides[2][3]

Regular season

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Divisional matchups have the AFC West playing the NFC East.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site Recap
1 September 4 at Kansas City Chiefs L 13–17 0–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
2 September 11 at New York Jets W 17–10 1–1 Shea Stadium Recap
3 September 18 San Diego Chargers W 34–31 2–1 Kingdome Recap
4 September 25 Washington Redskins L 17–27 2–2 Kingdome Recap
5 October 2 at Cleveland Browns W 24–9 3–2 Cleveland Stadium Recap
6 October 9 at San Diego Chargers L 21–28 3–3 Jack Murphy Stadium Recap
7 October 16 Los Angeles Raiders W 38–36 4–3 Kingdome Recap
8 October 23 Pittsburgh Steelers L 21–27 4–4 Kingdome Recap
9 October 30 at Los Angeles Raiders W 34–21 5–4 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap
10 November 6 Denver Broncos W 27–19 6–4 Kingdome Recap
11 November 13 at St. Louis Cardinals L 28–33 6–5 Busch Stadium Recap
12 November 20 at Denver Broncos L 27–38 6–6 Mile High Stadium Recap
13 November 27 Kansas City Chiefs W 51–48 (OT) 7–6 Kingdome Recap
14 December 4 Dallas Cowboys L 10–35 7–7 Kingdome Recap
15 December 11 at New York Giants W 17–12 8–7 Giants Stadium Recap
16 December 18 New England Patriots W 24–6 9–7 Kingdome Recap
Bold indicates division opponents.
Source: 1983 NFL season results[4]

Postseason

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

Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Game site Recap
Wild Card December 24 Denver Broncos (5) W 31–7 1–0 Kingdome Recap
Divisional December 31 at Miami Dolphins (2) W 27–20 2–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap
AFC Championship January 8, 1984 at Los Angeles Raiders (1) L 14–30 2–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap

Standings

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AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Los Angeles Raiders(1) 12 4 0 .750 6–2 10–2 442 338 W1
Seattle Seahawks(4) 9 7 0 .563 5–3 8–4 403 397 W2
Denver Broncos(5) 9 7 0 .563 3–5 9–5 302 327 L1
San Diego Chargers 6 10 0 .375 4–4 4–8 358 462 L1
Kansas City Chiefs 6 10 0 .375 2–6 4–8 386 367 W1

Game summaries

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Preseason

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Week P1: at Denver Broncos

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Preseason Week One: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 7 007
Broncos 3 0 7010

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

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Preseason Week Two: Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 14 0021
Seahawks 7 14 71038

at Kingdome, Seattle

Week P3: vs. Minnesota Vikings

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Preseason Week Three: Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 16 0319
Seahawks 7 3 0717

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

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Preseason Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 7 7320
49ers 3 0 306

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Regular season

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Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs

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Week One: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 0 3713
Chiefs 7 0 7317

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 2: at New York Jets

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Week Two: Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 10 0717
Jets 0 3 0710

at Shea Stadium, New York

Game information

Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers

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Week Three: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 3 02131
Seahawks 14 3 10734

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 4: vs. Washington Redskins

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Week Four: Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Redskins 7 13 0727
Seahawks 3 7 0717

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 5: at Cleveland Browns

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Week Five: Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 3 0 71424
Browns 0 3 069

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

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Week Six: Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 7 14 0021
Chargers 0 7 71428

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Raiders

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Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 10 51436
Seahawks 7 0 171438

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 8: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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Week Eight: Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 17 0327
Seahawks 0 0 71421

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

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Week Nine: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 17 71034
Raiders 0 7 7721

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

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Week Ten: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 3 61019
Seahawks 6 0 14727

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 11: at St. Louis Cardinals

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Week Eleven: Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 7 14 0728
Cardinals 7 21 0533

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

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Week Twelve: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 7 13727
Broncos 10 10 71138

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

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Week Thirteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Chiefs 7 21 713048
Seahawks 7 7 1717351

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys

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Week Fourteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cowboys 7 7 71435
Seahawks 0 3 0710

at Kingdome, Seattle

Game information

Week 15: at New York Giants

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Week Fifteen: Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 7 10 0017
Giants 3 3 3312

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

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Week Sixteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 6 006
Seahawks 3 7 7724

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

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

AFC Wild Card Playoff: vs. #5 Denver Broncos

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AFC Wild Card Playoff: #5 Denver Broncos at #4 Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 007
Seahawks 7 3 71431

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

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AFC Divisional Playoff: #4 Seattle Seahawks at #2 Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 7 71327
Dolphins 0 13 0720

at Orange Bowl, Miami

Game information

AFC Championship Game: at #1 Los Angeles Raiders

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AFC Championship Game: #4 Seattle Seahawks at #1 Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 0 0 7714
Raiders 3 17 7330

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

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  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.
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