24th season in franchise history
The1983 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 14th season in theNational Football League , and the 24th overall. It was the first of three seasons for head coachKay Stephenson . Billsrunning back Joe Cribbs was both the Bills' leading rusher (1,131 yards), and the team's leader in receptions and receiving yards (57 catches for 524 yards).[ 1] 1982 . With the NFL schedule back to 16 games, the Bills were a more competitive team during 1983. The team started 5–2 through its first 7 games. However, they would struggle the rest of the way, as they went 3–6 in its final 9 games en route to a mediocre 8–8 season. This season also saw the Bills beatthe Dolphins in Miami for the first time since1966 , Miami's inaugural season. After beating the Chiefs, 14–9, in Arrowhead Stadium on December 4, the Bills would lose 22 road games in a row, which included going 0–8 on the road in each of the following two seasons.
The Bills drafted futureHall of Fame quarterbackJim Kelly , the third of a record six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 1983 draft. Kelly received opposing offers from theUnited States Football League [ 2] Canadian Football League ’sMontreal Concordes .[ 3] Houston Gamblers for the following three seasons[ 4] 1986 season . The Bills later retired Kelly's #12, at the time the only number the franchise retired. LinebackerDarryl Talley played for twelve years with the Bills. He was a two-timePro Bowler , in1990 and1991 . He was inducted into theBills Wall of Fame .
[ 5]
1983 Buffalo Bills staff Front office
Head coaches
Head Coach – Kay Stephenson Offensive coaches
Running Backs –Andy MacDonald Receivers – Milt Jackson Tight Ends – Al Sandahl Offensive Line – Jim Niblack Offensive Assistant –Perry Moss Defensive coaches Special teams coaches
Special Teams – Miller McCalmon
Week Date Opponent Result Record Attendance Notes 1 September 4, 1983 Miami Dolphins L 12–00–1 78,715 Uwe von Schamann accounted for all points scored2 September 11, 1983 atCincinnati Bengals W 10–61–1 46,839 Joe Ferguson threw a 14-yard touchdown3 September 18, 1983 Baltimore Colts W 28–232–1 40,937 Game lead changed seven times in final three quarters 4 September 25, 1983 Houston Oilers W 30–133–1 60,070 Ferguson threw for only 127 yards 5 October 3, 1983 New York Jets L 34–103–2 79,933 Buffalo's onlyMonday Night Football appearance of the year 6 October 9, 1983 at Miami Dolphins W 38–354–2 59,948 Ferguson threw five touchdowns and 419 yards; first road win over Miami since 1966 7 October 16, 1983 at Baltimore Colts W 30–75–2 38,565 Last trip to Baltimore until formation ofRavens 8 October 23, 1983 New England Patriots L 31–05–3 60,424 Ferguson intercepted three times byRoland James 9 October 30, 1983 New Orleans Saints W 27–216–3 49,413 Ferguson threw four touchdowns 10 November 6, 1983 atNew England Patriots L 21–76–4 42,604 Ferguson intercepted four times 11 November 13, 1983 atNew York Jets W 24–177–4 48,513 Bills outscored Jets 24–3 in second half; Bills last visit ever toShea Stadium andQueens, NY 12 November 20, 1983 Los Angeles Raiders L 27–247–5 72,393
Bills lost despite erasing 21-point Raiders lead in the fourth 13 November 27, 1983 atLos Angeles Rams L 41–177–6 48,246 Eric Dickerson rushed for 125 yards14 December 4, 1983 atKansas City Chiefs W 14–98–6 27,104 Joe Cribbs ' 185 rushing yards constituted almost all of Buffalo's offense15 December 11, 1983 San Francisco 49ers L 23–108–7 38,039 Ferguson intercepted three times 16 December 18, 1983 atAtlanta Falcons L 31–148–8 31,015 Matt Kofler threw for 125 yardsNote : Intra-divisional opponents are inbold text
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • Dolphins 0 6 3 3 12 Bills 0 0 0 0 0
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • Bills 0 3 7 0 10 Bengals 0 3 0 3 6
Team 1 2 3 4 Total Colts 6 3 7 7 23 • Bills 0 7 7 14 28
Date: September 18Location: Rich StadiumReferee: Pat Haggerty
Team 1 2 3 4 Total Oilers 3 3 7 0 13 • Bills 7 6 3 14 30
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • Jets 0 7 10 17 34 Bills 0 0 0 10 10
Date: October 5Location: Rich StadiumReferee: Jerry Markbreit TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, OJ Simpson
Team 1 2 3 4 OT Total • Bills 7 7 7 14 3 38 Dolphins 0 7 14 14 0 35
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • Bills 7 17 3 3 30 Colts 7 0 0 0 7
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • Patriots 0 7 0 24 31 Bills 0 0 0 0 0
Date: October 23Location: Rich StadiumReferee: Tom Dooley
Team 1 2 3 4 Total Saints 0 7 0 14 21 • Bills 7 13 7 0 27
Scoring summary Q1 4:06 BUF Butler 15 yard pass from Ferguson (Danelo kick) BUF 7–0 Q2 13:14 BUF Hunter 40 yard pass from Ferguson (Danelo kick) BUF 14–0 Q2 5:59 BUF Mosley 22 yard pass from Ferguson (kick failed) BUF 20–0 Q2 1:57 NO Tice 12 yard pass from Wilson (Andersen kick) BUF 20–7 Q3 0:19 BUF Mosley 8 yard pass from Ferguson (Danelo kick) BUF 27–7 Q4 7:33 NO Brenner 3 yard pass from Wilson (Andersen kick) BUF 27–14 Q4 3:34 NO Young 5 yard pass from Wilson (Andersen kick) BUF 27–21
The Bills knockedKen Stabler out of the game at the end of the first quarter with a rib injury.[ 6]
Team 1 2 3 4 Total Bills 0 0 0 7 7 • Patriots 0 14 7 0 21
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • Bills 0 0 14 10 24 Jets 0 14 3 0 17
Los Angeles Raiders (8-3) at Buffalo Bills (7-4)
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • Raiders 7 3 7 10 27 Bills 0 3 0 21 24
Team 1 2 3 4 Total Bills 0 7 7 3 17 • Rams 0 14 10 17 41
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • Bills 0 7 0 7 14 Chiefs 0 3 3 3 9
Team 1 2 3 4 Total • 49ers 3 3 14 3 23 Bills 0 10 0 0 10
Team 1 2 3 4 Total Bills 0 7 0 7 14 • Falcons 3 14 7 7 31
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (15) Conference championships (4) League championships (2) Wall of Fame Media Owners Current league affiliations Former league affiliation
