The 1983 season was the Chicago Bears' 64th in the National Football League, and their second under head coach Mike Ditka. The team improved from their 3–6 record from 1982 to finish at 8–8, but to failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Jim McMahon was the quarterback, who completed 175 of 295 pass attempts. The Bears 1983 NFL draft class was ranked #3 in NFL Top 10s greatest draft classes.
Offseason 1983 NFL draft
Undrafted free agents + 1983 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeDave McCarrellQuarterbackWheatonDan RuzichLinebackerKansas State
Roster and staff
Staff Coaching Staff of 1983 season Front office Virginia Halas McCaskey – Owner Michael McCaskey – Team president Jerry Vainisi – General manager Ray Earley – Equipment manager Coaches Mike Ditka – Head coach Steve Kazor – Assistant head coach Ed Hughes – Offensive coordinator Buddy Ryan – Defensive coordinator Position coaches Ted Plumb – Offensive specialist Johnny Roland – Running backs Dick Stanfel – Offensive line Dale Haupt – Defensive line Jim LaRue – Secondary Trainers Brian McCaskey – Assistant trainer Clyde Emrich – Weightlifting/Strength Scouts Jim Dooley Pete McGrane – Video team
Roster
Preseason The Bears were predicted to finish 7–9 and fourth in the division by Paul Zimmerman. Their prized new weapon would be Willie Gault. Dennis McKinnon (signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bears in 1983) would also play a key role in the receiving corps and Jimbo Covert would help open bigger holes for Walter Payton but it was felt they were a few offensive lineman and a tight end away from being effective. The defense would be led by All-Pro Dan Hampton and new defensive backs Mike Richardson and Dave Duerson.Sports Illustrated. 1 Sept 1983 The Bears started 1983 by losing 7 of their first 10, but won 5 of their last 6 to finish 8–8. The Bears would go 71–18 in regular season games from November 13, 1983, through October 2, 1989.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 August 6 Buffalo Bills W 27–17 1–0 Soldier Field 2 August 13 at St. Louis Cardinals L 24–27 1–1 Busch Stadium 3 August 20 at Los Angeles Raiders W 27–21 2–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 4 August 27 Kansas City Chiefs W 20–17 3–1 Soldier Field
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 4 Atlanta Falcons L 17–20 0–1 Soldier Field 60,165 2 September 11 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 17–10 1–1 Soldier Field 58,186 3 September 18 at New Orleans Saints L 31–34 1–2 Louisiana Superdome 64,692 4 September 25 at Baltimore Colts L 19–22 1–3 Memorial Stadium 34,350 5 October 2 Denver Broncos W 31–14 2–3 Soldier Field 58,210 6 October 9 Minnesota Vikings L 14–23 2–4 Soldier Field 59,632 7 October 16 at Detroit Lions L 17–31 2–5 Pontiac Silverdome 66,709 8 October 23 at Philadelphia Eagles W 7–6 3–5 Veterans Stadium 45,263 9 October 30 Detroit Lions L 17–38 3–6 Soldier Field 58,764 10 November 6 at Los Angeles Rams L 14–21 3–7 Anaheim Stadium 53,010 11 November 13 Philadelphia Eagles W 17–14 4–7 Soldier Field 47,524 12 November 20 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 27–0 5–7 Tampa Stadium 36,816 13 November 27 San Francisco 49ers W 13–3 6–7 Soldier Field 40,483 14 December 4 at Green Bay Packers L 28–31 6–8 Lambeau Field 51,147 15 December 11 at Minnesota Vikings W 19–13 7–8 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 57,880 16 December 18 Green Bay Packers W 23–21 8–8 Soldier Field 35,807 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 2 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHI: Mike Hartenstine 2.0 sacks, Terry Schmidt INT
Week 3: at New Orleans Saints
Week 4: at Baltimore Colts
Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 8: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 11: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 12: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers
Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings
Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Mar-02.
Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers
Standings
References
External links
1983 Chicago Bears Season at www.bearshistory.com