1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season

1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner	Art Rooney
General manager	Dick Haley
Head coach	Chuck Noll
Home field	Three Rivers Stadium
Results
Record	10–6
Division place	1st AFC Central
Playoff finish	Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Raiders) 10–38
Pro Bowlers	PK Gary Anderson LB Jack Lambert C Mike Webster
AP All-Pros	Jack Lambert (1st team) Mike Webster (1st team) Gary Anderson (2nd team)
Team MVP	Gary Anderson

The 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 51st season in the National Football League.

Personnel

Staff

1983 Pittsburgh Steelers staff

Front office Chairman of the board – Arthur J. Rooney President – Daniel M. Rooney Vice president – John R. McGinley Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. Controller – Dennis P. Thimons Assistant controller – Dan Ferens Traveling secretary – James A. Boston Public relations director – Ed Kiely Publicity director – Joe Gordon Assistant publicity director – John Evenson Director of ticket sales – Geraldine Glenn Director of player personnel – Dick Haley Assistant director of player personnel – William Nunn, Jr. Pro talent scout – Tom Modrak Talent scout – West Coast – Bob Schmitz College talent scout – Joe Krupa Head coaches Head coach – Chuck Noll Assistant head coach – Woody Widenhofer Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Tom Moore Offensive line – Ron Blackledge Offensive backfield – Dick Hoak

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Woody Widenhofer Defensive backfield – Tony Dungy Defensive line – Jon Kolb Strength and conditioning Conditioning coach – Jon Kolb Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Paul Steele Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli Trainer – Ralph Berlin Assistant trainer – Gary Stragar Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel Film director – Bob McCartney Photographers – Harry Homa, Bill Amatucci

Roster

1983 Pittsburgh Steelers roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 12 Terry Bradshaw 16 Mark Malone 18 Cliff Stoudt Running backs (RB) 34 Walter Abercrombie 32 Franco Harris 43 Tim A. Harris KR 27 Greg Hawthorne WR 44 Henry Odom KR 30 Frank Pollard Wide receivers (WR) 80 Wayne Capers 86 Gregg Garrity 86 Paul Skansi 82 John Stallworth 85 Calvin Sweeney Tight ends (TE) 89 Bennie Cunningham 88 Craig Dunaway 87 John Rodgers

Offensive linemen (OL) 71 Emil Boures T 79 Larry Brown T 77 Steve Courson G 55 Rick Donnalley 62 Tunch Ilkin T 74 Mark Kirchner G 66 Ted Petersen T 52 Mike Webster C 61 Blake Wingle G 73 Craig Wolfley G Defensive linemen (DL) 65 Tom Beasley 67 Gary Dunn NT 92 Keith Gary DE 95 John Goodman DE 90 Bob Kohrs DE/LB 64 Edmund Nelson NT 93 Keith Willis DE

Linebackers (LB) 54 Craig Bingham ILB 56 Robin Cole OLB 53 Bryan Hinkle OLB 58 Jack Lambert ILB 50 David Little ILB 57 Mike Merriweather OLB 51 Loren Toews ILB Defensive backs (DB) 25 Greg Best S 47 Mel Blount CB 33 Harvey Clayton CB 29 Ron Johnson FS 31 Donnie Shell SS 41 Sam Washington DB 21 Eric Williams FS 49 Dwayne Woodruff CB 22 Rick Woods FS Special teams 52 Mike Webster LS  1 Gary Anderson K  5 Craig Colquitt

Practice squad Reserve 45 Russell Davis RB (PUP) 69 Gabe Rivera NT (IR) 73 Pete Rostosky T (IR) 59 Todd Seabaugh ILB (IR) Rookies in italics 51 active, 4 reserve

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Game Site	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Result	Record
1	Saturday, July 30	vs. New Orleans Saints	Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio)	2:00 p.m.	ABC	W 27–14	1–0
2	Saturday, August 6	vs. New England Patriots	Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, Tennessee)	7:30 p.m.	WPXI	W 27–16	2–0
3	Friday, August 12	New York Giants	Three Rivers Stadium	8:00 p.m.	ABC	L 22–13	2–1
4	Saturday, August 20	at Dallas Cowboys	Texas Stadium	9:00 p.m.	NBC	W 24–7	3–1
5	Thursday, August 25	at Philadelphia Eagles	Veterans Stadium	7:30 p.m.	WPXI	W 10–3	4–1

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Game Site	Kickoff (ET)	TV	Result	Record
1	Sunday, September 4	Denver Broncos	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 14–10	0–1
2	Sunday, September 11	at Green Bay Packers	Lambeau Field	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 25–21	1–1
3	Sunday, September 18	at Houston Oilers	Astrodome	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 40–28	2–1
4	Sunday, September 25	New England Patriots	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 28–23	2–2
5	Sunday, October 2	Houston Oilers	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 17–10	3–2
6	Monday, October 10	at Cincinnati Bengals	Riverfront Stadium	9:00 p.m.	ABC	W 24–14	4–2
7	Sunday, October 16	Cleveland Browns	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 44–17	5–2
8	Sunday, October 23	at Seattle Seahawks	Kingdome	4:00 p.m.	NBC	W 27–21	6–2
9	Sunday, October 30	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	CBS	W 17–12	7–2
10	Sunday, November 6	San Diego Chargers	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	W 26–3	8–2
11	Sunday, November 13	at Baltimore Colts	Memorial Stadium	2:00 p.m.	NBC	W 24–13	9–2
12	Sunday, November 20	Minnesota Vikings	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	CBS	L 17–14	9–3
13	Thursday, November 24	at Detroit Lions	Pontiac Silverdome	12:30 p.m.	NBC	L 45–3	9–4
14	Sunday, December 4	Cincinnati Bengals	Three Rivers Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 23–10	9–5
15	Saturday, December 10	at New York Jets	Shea Stadium	12:30 p.m.	NBC	W 34–7	10–5
16	Sunday, December 18	at Cleveland Browns	Cleveland Municipal Stadium	1:00 p.m.	NBC	L 30–17	10–6

Week 1: vs. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	0	7	14
Steelers	0	7	3	0	10

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: September 4, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: 80 °F or 26.7 °C (Drizzle)
• Game attendance: 58,233
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Broncos Steelers 2 Broncos Sammy Winder 1-yard touchdown run, Rich Karlis kick good 7 0 2 Steelers Franco Harris 4-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 7 7 3 Steelers 31-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 7 10 4 Broncos Ron Egloff 2-yard touchdown reception from Steve DeBerg, Rich Karlis kick good 14 10 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 10

Week 2: at Green Bay Packers

Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	6	3	9	25
Packers	7	7	0	7	21

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Date: September 11, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), wind 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn)
• Game attendance: 58,144
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Steelers Packers 1 Steelers Franco Harris 3-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 7 0 1 Packers James Lofton 71-yard touchdown reception from Lynn Dickey, Jan Stenerud kick good 7 7 2 Steelers Cliff Stoudt 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick no good (blocked) 13 7 2 Packers James Lofton 73-yard touchdown reception from Lynn Dickey, Jan Stenerud kick good 13 14 3 Steelers 30-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 16 14 4 Steelers Frank Pollard 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 23 14 4 Packers James Lofton 13-yard touchdown reception from Lynn Dickey, Jan Stenerud kick good 23 21 4 Steelers Lynn Dickey tackled in end zone for a safety by Bob Kohrs 25 21 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 25 21

Week 3: at Houston Oilers

Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Oilers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	6	6	14	14	40
Oilers	7	0	0	21	28

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

• Date: September 18, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: Dome
• Game attendance: 44,150
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Steelers Oilers 1 Steelers 49-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 3 0 1 Oilers Carl Roaches 97-yard kickoff return touchdown 3 7 1 Steelers 35-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 6 7 2 Steelers 20-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 9 7 2 Steelers 22-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 12 7 3 Steelers Franco Harris 6-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 19 7 3 Steelers Walter Abercrombie 30-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 26 7 4 Steelers Interception returned 14 yards for touchdown by Bryan Hinkle, Gary Anderson kick good 33 7 4 Oilers Larry Moriarty 1-yard touchdown run, Florian Kempf kick good 33 14 4 Oilers Earl Campbell 1-yard touchdown run, Florian Kempf kick good 33 21 4 Steelers Walter Abercrombie 50-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 40 21 4 Oilers Herkie Walls 28-yard touchdown reception from Archie Manning, Florian Kempf kick good 40 28 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 40 28

Week 4: vs. New England Patriots

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Patriots	7	7	7	7	28
Steelers	7	6	0	10	23

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: September 25, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: 71 °F or 21.7 °C (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 55,282
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Patriots Steelers 1 Steelers Calvin Sweeney 3-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 0 7 1 Patriots Clayton Weishuhn 27-yard run for touchdown off lateral pass from interception by Steve Nelson 7 7 2 Steelers 20-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 7 10 2 Patriots Derrick Ramsey 4-yard touchdown reception from Steve Grogan, John Smith kick good 14 10 2 Steelers 34-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 14 13 3 Patriots Tony Collins 4-yard touchdown run, John Smith kick good 21 13 4 Steelers 28-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 21 16 4 Steelers Walter Abercrombie 26-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 21 23 4 Patriots Stephen Starring 76-yard touchdown reception from Steve Grogan, John Smith kick good 28 23 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 28 23

Week 5: vs. Houston Oilers

Houston Oilers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	3	7	0	10
Steelers	0	7	0	10	17

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: October 2, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: 73 °F or 22.8 °C (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 56,901
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play by play), Ahmad Rashad (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Oilers Steelers 2 Steelers Frank Pollard 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 0 7 2 Oilers 34-yard field goal by Florian Kempf 3 7 3 Oilers Earl Campbell 1-yard touchdown run, Florian Kempf kick good 10 7 4 Steelers Walter Abercrombie 51-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 10 14 4 Steelers 18-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 10 17 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 10 17

Week 6: at Cincinnati Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	3	0	14	24
Bengals	0	14	0	0	14

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati

• Date: October 10, 1983
• Game time: 9:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: 56 °F (13.3 °C), wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
• Game attendance: 56,086
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play by play), Don Meredith & O. J. Simpson (color commentators)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP 1 Steelers Fumble recovery returned 38 yards for touchdown by Rick Woods, Gary Anderson kick good 7 0 2 Steelers 35-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 10 0 2 Bengals Pete Johnson 1-yard touchdown run, Jim Breech kick good 10 7 2 Bengals Interception returned 41 yards for touchdown by James Griffin, Jim Breech kick good 10 14 4 Steelers Interception returned 34 yards for touchdown by Johnson, Gary Anderson kick good 17 14 4 Steelers Interception returned 70 yards for touchdown by Harvey Clayton, Gary Anderson kick good/no good (blocked)/no good (miss right)/no good (miss left)/no good (miss short)/no good 24 14 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 14

Week 7: vs. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	3	7	7	0	17
Steelers	20	14	0	10	44

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: October 16, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: 73 °F or 22.8 °C (Mostly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 59,263
• Referee: Bob McElwee
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Bob Griese (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Browns Steelers 1 Steelers 18-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 0 3 1 Steelers Walter Abercrombie 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 0 10 1 Steelers Interception returned 31 yards for touchdown by Mike Merriweather, Gary Anderson kick good 0 17 1 Browns 27-yard field goal by Matt Bahr 3 17 1 Steelers 29-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 3 20 2 Browns Boyce Green 23-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good 10 20 2 Steelers Franco Harris 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 10 27 2 Steelers Calvin Sweeney 40-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 10 34 3 Browns Boyce Green 1-yard touchdown run, Matt Bahr kick good 17 34 4 Steelers 26-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 17 37 4 Steelers Fumble recovery returned 94 yards for touchdown by Greg Best, Gary Anderson kick good 17 44 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 44

Week 8: at Seattle Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	17	0	3	27
Seahawks	0	0	7	14	21

at Kingdome, Seattle

• Date: October 23, 1983
• Game time: 4:00 pm EDT
• Game weather: Dome
• Game attendance: 61,615
• Referee: Gordon McCarter
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Steelers Seahawks 1 Steelers Franco Harris 9-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 7 0 2 Steelers Cliff Stoudt 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 14 0 2 Steelers Frank Pollard 1-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 21 0 2 Steelers 20-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 24 0 3 Seahawks Curt Warner 1-yard touchdown run, Norm Johnson kick good 24 7 4 Seahawks Steve Largent 21-yard touchdown reception from Dave Krieg, Norm Johnson kick good 24 14 4 Steelers 32-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 27 14 4 Seahawks Paul Johns 26-yard touchdown reception from Dave Krieg, Norm Johnson kick good 27 21 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 27 21

Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	6	3	3	0	12
Steelers	0	0	0	17	17

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: October 30, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 57 °F or 13.9 °C (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 57,468
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Kelly (play by play), John Dockery (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Buccaneers Steelers 1 Buccaneers 26-yard field goal by Bill Capece 3 0 1 Buccaneers 49-yard field goal by Bill Capece 6 0 2 Buccaneers 27-yard field goal by Bill Capece 9 0 3 Buccaneers 28-yard field goal by Bill Capece 12 0 4 Steelers Wayne Capers 11-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 12 7 4 Steelers 42-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 12 10 4 Steelers Frank Pollard 2-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 12 17 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 12 17

Week 10: vs. San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	3	0	0	3
Steelers	17	3	3	3	26

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: November 6, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 57 °F or 13.9 °C (Partly Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 58,191
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Chargers Steelers 1 Steelers Walter Abercrombie 6-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 0 7 1 Steelers 45-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 0 10 1 Steelers Fumble recovery returned 3 yards for touchdown by Mel Blount, Gary Anderson kick good 0 17 2 Chargers 39-yard field goal by Rolf Benirschke 3 17 2 Steelers 30-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 3 20 3 Steelers 49-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 3 23 4 Steelers 42-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 3 26 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 3 26

Week 11: at Baltimore Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Colts

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	10	0	7	24
Colts	3	3	7	0	13

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

• Date: November 13, 1983
• Game time: 2:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 38 °F (3.3 °C), wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
• Game attendance: 57,319
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon (play by play), Jim Turner (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Steelers Colts 1 Steelers Walter Abercrombie 11-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 7 0 1 Colts 46-yard field goal by Raul Allegre 7 3 2 Colts 37-yard field goal by Raul Allegre 7 6 2 Steelers 42-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 10 6 2 Steelers Calvin Sweeney 7-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 17 6 3 Colts Curtis Dickey 5-yard touchdown run, Raul Allegre kick good 17 13 4 Steelers Bennie Cunningham 2-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 24 13 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 13

The Colts' first sellout since 1977, and last in Baltimore, came about because thousands of Steelers fans who normally could not purchase tickets at Three Rivers Stadium found them cheap and plentiful in Maryland. Pittsburgh returned to Memorial Stadium with the birth of the Baltimore Ravens in 1996.

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	7	0	10	0	17
Steelers	7	0	0	7	14

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: November 20, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 63 °F or 17.2 °C (Light Rain)
• Game attendance: 58,417
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Kelly (play by play), John Dockery (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Vikings Steelers 1 Steelers Bennie Cunningham 3-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 0 7 1 Vikings Sam McCullum 30-yard touchdown reception from Steve Dils, Benny Ricardo kick good 7 7 3 Vikings Tony Galbreath 6-yard touchdown reception from Steve Dils, Benny Ricardo kick good 14 7 3 Vikings 39-yard field goal by Benny Ricardo 17 7 4 Steelers Cliff Stoudt 4-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 17 14 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 14

Week 13: at Detroit Lions

Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	3	0	0	3
Lions	17	7	7	14	45

at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

• Date: November 24, 1983
• Game time: 12:30 pm EST
• Game weather: Dome
• Game attendance: 77,724
• Referee: Gene Barth
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Steelers Lions 1 Lions Billy Sims 2-yard touchdown run, Eddie Murray kick good 0 7 1 Lions 27-yard field goal by Eddie Murray 0 10 1 Lions Ulysses Norris 13-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hipple, Eddie Murray kick good 0 17 2 Steelers 38-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 3 17 2 Lions Ulysses Norris 4-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hipple, Eddie Murray kick good 3 24 3 Lions Billy Sims 2-yard touchdown run, Eddie Murray kick good 3 31 4 Lions Robbie Martin 81-yard punt return touchdown 3 38 4 Lions Jeff Chadwick 4-yard touchdown reception from Gary Danielson, Eddie Murray kick good 3 45 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 3 45

Pittsburgh's first trip to the Motor City since 1967 was nothing short of disastrous. It was the Steelers' most lopsided loss under Noll, eclipsed only by a 51-0 embarrassment by the Browns at home in the 1989 opener.

Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	14	3	3	3	23
Steelers	0	3	0	7	10

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: December 4, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 44 °F or 6.7 °C (Fog & Light Drizzle)
• Game attendance: 55,832
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play by play), Bob Griese (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP 1 Bengals Pete Johnson 1-yard touchdown run, Jim Breech kick good 7 0 1 Bengals Pete Johnson 16-yard touchdown run, Jim Breech kick good 14 0 2 Bengals 19-yard field goal by Jim Breech 17 0 2 Steelers 48-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 17 3 3 Bengals 27-yard field goal by Jim Breech 20 3 4 Steelers Franco Harris 29-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 20 10 4 Bengals 32-yard field goal by Jim Breech 23 10 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 23 10

Week 15: at New York Jets

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	13	7	7	34
Jets	0	0	7	0	7

at Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York

• Date: December 10, 1983
• Game time: 12:30 pm EST
• Game weather: 45 °F (7.2 °C), wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
• Game attendance: 53,996
• Referee: Bob McElwee
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
• Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets – December 10th, 1983

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Steelers Jets 1 Steelers Gregg Garrity 17-yard touchdown reception from Terry Bradshaw, Gary Anderson kick good 7 0 2 Steelers Calvin Sweeney 10-yard touchdown reception from Terry Bradshaw, Gary Anderson kick good 14 0 2 Steelers 29-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 17 0 2 Steelers 40-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 20 0 3 Steelers Bennie Cunningham 13-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 27 0 3 Jets Johnny Lam Jones 27-yard touchdown reception from Pat Ryan, Pat Leahy kick good 27 7 4 Steelers Calvin Sweeney 18-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 34 7 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 34 7

After having been sidelined with an elbow injury for the first 14 games of the season, 36-year old Terry Bradshaw started his first game of the season. Despite still clearly being hampered by his elbow, he was able to impress in limited time. It would the final time Bradshaw would see the field as a player, as he felt a pop in his elbow while throwing his final pass, a 10-yard touchdown to Calvin Sweeney. Bradshaw did not play during the play-offs and retired after the season.

This was also the final NFL game held at Shea Stadium.

Week 16: at Cleveland Browns

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	7	0	7	17
Browns	9	14	7	0	30

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

• Date: December 18, 1983
• Game time: 1:00 pm EST
• Game weather: 18 °F (−7.8 °C), wind 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn), wind chill 6 °F or −14.4 °C
• Game attendance: 72,313
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Steelers Browns 1 Steelers 34-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 3 0 1 Browns Rocky Belk 64-yard touchdown reception from Brian Sipe, Matt Bahr kick no good 3 6 1 Browns 30-yard field goal by Matt Bahr 3 9 2 Browns Harry Holt 3-yard touchdown reception from Brian Sipe, Matt Bahr kick good 3 16 2 Steelers Cliff Stoudt 3-yard touchdown run, Gary Anderson kick good 10 16 2 Browns Ricky Feacher 4-yard touchdown reception from Brian Sipe, Matt Bahr kick good 10 23 3 Browns Harry Holt 1-yard touchdown reception from Brian Sipe, Matt Bahr kick good 10 30 4 Steelers Franco Harris 2-yard touchdown reception from Mark Malone, Gary Anderson kick good 17 30 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 30

Eight days after Bradshaw threw his last pass, Brian Sipe started his last NFL game in what turned out to be a hollow victory for the Browns, who were eliminated from the playoffs three hours later when the Seahawks defeated the Patriots in Seattle.

Standings

AFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Pittsburgh Steelers(3)	10	6	0	.625	4–2	8–4	355	303	L1
Cleveland Browns	9	7	0	.563	3–3	7–5	356	342	W1
Cincinnati Bengals	7	9	0	.438	4–2	4–8	346	302	L1
Houston Oilers	2	14	0	.125	1–5	1–11	288	460	L1

Playoffs

AFC Divisional Playoff: at Los Angeles Raiders

Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Raiders

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	0	7	0	10
Raiders	7	10	21	0	38

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

• Date: January 1, 1984
• Game time: 4:00 pm EST/1:00 pm PST
• Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn)
• Game attendance: 90,380
• Referee: Gene Barth
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play by play), Merlin Olsen (color commentator)

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Steelers Raiders 1 Steelers 17-yard field goal by Gary Anderson 3 0 1 Raiders Interception returned 18 yards for touchdown by Lester Hayes, Chris Bahr kick good 3 7 2 Raiders Marcus Allen 4-yard touchdown run, Chris Bahr kick good 3 14 2 Raiders 45-yard field goal by Chris Bahr 3 17 3 Raiders Kenny King 9-yard touchdown run, Chris Bahr kick good 3 24 3 Raiders Marcus Allen 49-yard touchdown run, Chris Bahr kick good 3 31 3 Steelers John Stallworth 58-yard touchdown reception from Cliff Stoudt, Gary Anderson kick good 10 31 3 Raiders Frank Hawkins 2-yard touchdown run, Chris Bahr kick good 10 38 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 10 38

External links

• 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
• 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com