1983 Miami Dolphins season
Encyclopedia
The 1983 season was the 17th season in football for the Miami Dolphins
and they sought to return to the Super Bowl
after losing to the Washington Redskins
in Super Bowl XVII
. It was also a turning point in the team's history, as in the 1983 NFL Draft
a young quarterback slipped to deep in the opening round, being passed over by such teams as division rivals New York
who drafted Ken O'Brien
and New England
who drafted Tony Eason
. With the 27th pick, the Dolphins decided to take a chance on Dan Marino
. In the draft's eighth round the Dolphins also selected receiver Mark Clayton
.
David Woodley
started the team's first five games but despite wins over Buffalo
, New England, and Kansas City
the offense didn't move to Don Shula
's liking so in Week Six hosting the Bills the rookie Marino started. Marino had completed two touchdown throws in relief of Woodley in a 27–14 loss to the Raiders
and then replaced Woodley during a 17–7 loss to the Saints
with a touchdown and an interception, so the game against Buffalo was the third of his career but his first start. The game proved to be a wild affair as the Bills fumbled the opening kickoff at their 15 but Marino was intercepted on the next play. The Bills clawed to a 14–7 halftime lead but the Dolphins behind Marino stayed toe to toe as Marino threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns while handing off to Mark Clayton
on an option pass for a touchdown to Mark Duper
. The Bills tied the game in the final seconds and two Uwe von Shamann field goal attempts missed before Joe Danelo
ended the game in a 38–35 Bills win.
Despite the loss Marino's performance cemented his role as the team's starter, and the Dolphins raced to win nine of their last ten games. Marino finished with 2,210 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. With the division wrapped up following a 26–17 win over the Oilers
at the Astrodome Marino sat for the final two games of the season as Don Strock
quarterbacked the Dolphins to wins over the Falcons
and Jets.
rushed for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino
threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter: A 19-yard pass to Johnson and a 32-yard pass to wide receiver Mark Duper
. Seattle's only score in the first half was quarterback Dave Krieg's 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Cullen Bryant
. In the third quarter, a fumble led to Warner's 1-yard touchdown. A fourth quarter interception from Marino then led to Norm Johnson
's 27-yard field goal to give Seattle a 17–13 lead. After the Dolphins regained the lead off running back Woody Bennett
's 3-yard touchdown, Seattle responded with Warner's 2-yard touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Miami returner Fulton Walker fumbled, setting up Norm Johnson's 37-yard field goal.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and they sought to return to the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
after losing to the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII was an American football game played on January 30, 1983 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the strike-shortened 1982 regular season...
. It was also a turning point in the team's history, as in the 1983 NFL Draft
1983 NFL Draft
The 1983 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 26–27, 1983...
a young quarterback slipped to deep in the opening round, being passed over by such teams as division rivals New York
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
who drafted Ken O'Brien
Ken O'Brien
Kenneth John O'Brien is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. When he retired he was the only Jets quarterback to have ever been the top ranked passer in a season. He held the team record for most...
and New England
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
who drafted Tony Eason
Tony Eason
Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason, IV is a former quarterback. He played college football for the University of Illinois and professional football for the New England Patriots and New York Jets .-Early years:Eason grew up in Walnut Grove, California, and attended Delta High School in Clarksburg,...
. With the 27th pick, the Dolphins decided to take a chance on Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
. In the draft's eighth round the Dolphins also selected receiver Mark Clayton
Mark Clayton
Mark Gregory Clayton is a former American football wide receiver who played most of his career with the Miami Dolphins, entering the league in 1983 with the Dolphins and playing there until 1992. He finished out his career with the Green Bay Packers, playing a single season with them in 1993...
.
David Woodley
David Woodley
David Eugene Woodley was an American football player and quarterback for Louisiana State University , the National Football League's Miami Dolphins , and the Pittsburgh Steelers...
started the team's first five games but despite wins over Buffalo
1983 Buffalo Bills season
The 1983 Buffalo Bills season was the 24th season for the club and its 14th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-References:* * *...
, New England, and Kansas City
1983 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 1983 Kansas City Chiefs season ended with a second consecutive 6–10 record, and last place finish in the AFC West.To begin 1983, the Chiefs fired head coach Marv Levy on January 4 after compiling a 31–42 record. Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach John Mackovic was named the fifth head coach in...
the offense didn't move to Don Shula
Don Shula
Donald Francis "Don" Shula is a former American football cornerback and coach.He is best known as coach of the Miami Dolphins, the team he led to two Super Bowl victories, and to the National Football League's only perfect season. Shula was named 1993 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated....
's liking so in Week Six hosting the Bills the rookie Marino started. Marino had completed two touchdown throws in relief of Woodley in a 27–14 loss to the Raiders
1983 Los Angeles Raiders season
-Schedule:-Los Angeles Raiders 38, Pittsburgh Steelers 10:The Raiders scored 3 touchdowns in the third quarter en route to a 38–10 win over the Steelers. In the first quarter, Pittsburgh advanced on a 78-yard drive, but when faced with fourth down and inches near the goal line, they opted for...
and then replaced Woodley during a 17–7 loss to the Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
with a touchdown and an interception, so the game against Buffalo was the third of his career but his first start. The game proved to be a wild affair as the Bills fumbled the opening kickoff at their 15 but Marino was intercepted on the next play. The Bills clawed to a 14–7 halftime lead but the Dolphins behind Marino stayed toe to toe as Marino threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns while handing off to Mark Clayton
Mark Clayton
Mark Gregory Clayton is a former American football wide receiver who played most of his career with the Miami Dolphins, entering the league in 1983 with the Dolphins and playing there until 1992. He finished out his career with the Green Bay Packers, playing a single season with them in 1993...
on an option pass for a touchdown to Mark Duper
Mark Duper
Mark Super Duper is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League from 1982 to 1992. He played collegiately at Northwestern State University and was selected by the Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1982 NFL Draft...
. The Bills tied the game in the final seconds and two Uwe von Shamann field goal attempts missed before Joe Danelo
Joe Danelo
Joseph Peter Danelo is a former American football placekicker who played in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, the New York Giants, and the Buffalo Bills between 1975 and 1984...
ended the game in a 38–35 Bills win.
Despite the loss Marino's performance cemented his role as the team's starter, and the Dolphins raced to win nine of their last ten games. Marino finished with 2,210 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. With the division wrapped up following a 26–17 win over the Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
at the Astrodome Marino sat for the final two games of the season as Don Strock
Don Strock
Don Strock is a former professional football player who was the head coach of the Florida International University football team from 2002–2006.-College:Strock played college football at Virginia Tech, and graduated in 1973...
quarterbacked the Dolphins to wins over the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Jets.
NFL Draft
| Pick # | |Player | |College | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Miami Dolphins | Dan Marino Dan Marino Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League... |
Quarterback | Pittsburgh |
| 223 | Miami Dolphins | Mark Clayton Mark Clayton Mark Gregory Clayton is a former American football wide receiver who played most of his career with the Miami Dolphins, entering the league in 1983 with the Dolphins and playing there until 1992. He finished out his career with the Green Bay Packers, playing a single season with them in 1993... |
Wide receiver | Louisville |
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 4, 1983 | at Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 12–0 | |
| 2 | September 11, 1983 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
W 34–24 | |
| 3 | September 19, 1983 | at Los Angeles Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 27–14 | |
| 4 | September 25, 1983 | Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
W 14–6 | |
| 5 | October 2, 1983 | at New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
L 17–7 | |
| 6 | October 9, 1983 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 38–35 | |
| 7 | October 16, 1983 | at New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 32–14 | |
| 8 | October 23, 1983 | at Baltimore Colts | W 21–7 | |
| 9 | October 30, 1983 | Los Angeles Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
W 30–14 | |
| 10 | November 6, 1983 | at San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
W 20–17 | |
| 11 | November 13, 1983 | at New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
L 17–6 | |
| 12 | November 20, 1983 | Baltimore Colts | W 37–0 | |
| 13 | November 28, 1983 | Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... |
W 38–14 | |
| 14 | December 4, 1983 | at Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W 24–17 | |
| 15 | December 10, 1983 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 31–24 | |
| 16 | December 16, 1983 | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 34–14 | |
Standings
| AFC East AFC East The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets... |
||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 389 | 250 |
| New England Patriots 1983 New England Patriots season The New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1983 season with a record of eight wins and eight losses, and finished tied for second in the AFC East division.-Staff:-Schedule:- Standings :-Roster:... |
8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 274 | 289 |
| Buffalo Bills 1983 Buffalo Bills season The 1983 Buffalo Bills season was the 24th season for the club and its 14th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-References:* * *... |
8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 283 | 351 |
| Baltimore Colts 1983 Baltimore Colts season The 1983 Baltimore Colts season was the 31st season for the team in the National Football League. This would be the last season in Baltimore as they moved to Indianapolis for the following season. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1983 season with a record of 7 wins and 9... |
7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 264 | 354 |
| New York Jets 1983 New York Jets season The 1983 New York Jets season was the 24th season for the team and the 14th in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 6–3 record from 1982 and return to the playoffs under first-year head coach Joe Walton... |
7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 313 | 331 |
Passing
| Player | Att | Comp | Yds | TD | INT | Rating |
| Dan Marino | 296 | 173 | 2210 | 20 | 6 | 96.0 |
AFC Divisional Playoff
The Seahawks converted three turnovers in the second half into 13 points, while running back Curt WarnerCurt Warner
Curtis Edward Warner is a former professional American football running back. A two-time All-American at Penn State University, Warner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft...
rushed for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter: A 19-yard pass to Johnson and a 32-yard pass to wide receiver Mark Duper
Mark Duper
Mark Super Duper is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League from 1982 to 1992. He played collegiately at Northwestern State University and was selected by the Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1982 NFL Draft...
. Seattle's only score in the first half was quarterback Dave Krieg's 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Cullen Bryant
Cullen Bryant
William Cullen Bryant was a professional American football player who spent thirteen seasons in the National Football League as a running back and return specialist for the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks...
. In the third quarter, a fumble led to Warner's 1-yard touchdown. A fourth quarter interception from Marino then led to Norm Johnson
Norm Johnson
Norman Douglas "Norm" Johnson is a former professional American football placekicker who played for 18 seasons in the National Football League. During that time, he played for the Seattle Seahawks , Atlanta Falcons , Pittsburgh Steelers , and the Philadelphia Eagles...
's 27-yard field goal to give Seattle a 17–13 lead. After the Dolphins regained the lead off running back Woody Bennett
Woody Bennett
Woodrow Bennett, Jr. Woodrow Bennett, Jr. Woodrow Bennett, Jr. (born March 24, 1956 in York, Pennsylvania is a former professional American football player who played running back for ten seasons for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.----About Woody Bennett NOW Spiritual Life Coach:...
's 3-yard touchdown, Seattle responded with Warner's 2-yard touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Miami returner Fulton Walker fumbled, setting up Norm Johnson's 37-yard field goal.