The1982 season was theChicago Bears' strike shortened 63rd season in theNational Football League, and their first underhead coachMike Ditka. The team failed to improve on their 6–10 record from 1981 to finish at 3–6 and failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Bears would end up being the only team in theNFC Central to not make the playoffs in 1982. This particular feat would be repeated in a full 16-game season in1997.
^abcdMinnesota (4–1), Atlanta (4–3), St. Louis (5–4), Tampa Bay (3–3) seeds were determined by best won-lost record in conference games.
^abcDetroit finished ahead of New Orleans and the N.Y. Giants based on best conference record (4–4 to Saints’ 3–5 to Giants’ 3–5).
^abcSan Francisco finished ahead of Chicago, and Chicago finished ahead of Philadelphia, based on conference record (49ers’ 2–3 to Bears’ 2–5 to Eagles’ 1–5).