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NFL team season
The 1983 Denver Broncos season was its 24th in professional football and 14th in the National Football League (NFL). Led by third-year head coach Dan Reeves , the Broncos were 9–7, third in the AFC West , and made their first playoff appearance in four seasons .
Before the season, the Broncos traded with the Baltimore Colts for the rights to first overall pick in the 1983 draft , quarterback John Elway . He started ten games for the Broncos as a rookie, and the team won four of them.[ 1]
In his first two starts, both road wins, Elway left the game trailing, relieved by veteran Steve DeBerg .[ 2] [ 3]
After three straight losses, Elway was benched by Reeves in early October;[ 4] and DeBerg led the team to four consecutive victories and a 6–3 record. A shoulder injury in a loss in Seattle sidelined him and Elway again became the starter.[ 5] [ 6] In the rematch with Seattle two weeks later in Denver, Elway was out with the flu and third-string rookie Gary Kubiak led the Broncos to a win.[ 7] [ 8]
Elway's finest game as a rookie came in week 15, the Broncos' second game against Baltimore, the team that drafted him. Denver trailed 19–0 at the start of the fourth quarter, until Elway threw for three touchdowns in the final period to win 21–19 and kept their playoff hopes alive.[ 9] [ 10] The following week was a lopsided road loss at Kansas City in −30 °F (−34 °C) wind chill , but the Broncos made the playoffs, gaining the final AFC berth over Cleveland , also at 9–7, whom they defeated in week 14.[ 11]
DeBerg started the wild card playoff loss in Seattle,[ 8] [ 12] and was relieved by Elway in the fourth quarter.[ 13]
The Broncos' wild-card playoff loss to the Seahawks marked their only playoff appearance during the three-year ownership of Edgar Kaiser Jr. ; Pat Bowlen bought the team the following spring .
1983 Denver Broncos draft
Round
Pick
Player
Position
College
Notes
1
4
Chris Hinton
Guard
Northwestern
traded to the Baltimore Colts along with Quarterback Mark Herrmann and the Broncos' first round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft for John Elway
2
31
Mark Cooper
Tackle
Miami (FL)
1983-1987 (5 seasons) then Tampa Bay from 1987-1989
3
60
Clint Sampson
Wide Receiver
San Diego State
1983-1986 (4 seasons)
5
116
George "Weedy" Harris
Linebacker
Houston
5
125
Bruce Baldwin
Defensive Back
Harding
6
143
Victor Heflin
Defensive Back
Delaware State
not signed by the Broncos, but went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1983-1984
7
172
Myron Dupree
Defensive Back
North Carolina Central
1983
8
197
Gary Kubiak
Quarterback
Texas A&M
1983-1991 (9 seasons)
9
228
Brian Hawkins
Defensive Back
San Jose State
10
254
Walt Bowyer
Defensive End
Arizona State
1983-1984, 1987-1988 (4 seasons)
11
283
Don Bailey
Center
Miami (FL)
not signed by the Broncos, but went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts from 1984-1985
12
310
Karl Mecklenburg *
Linebacker
Minnesota
1983-1994 (12 seasons), 6x Pro Bowl, 4x First Team All-Pro, Denver Broncos Ring of Fame
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career
[ 14]
1983 Denver Broncos staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Source: [ 15]
1983 Denver Broncos roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
1
September 4
at Pittsburgh Steelers
W 14–10
1–0
Three Rivers Stadium
58,233
2
September 11
at Baltimore Colts
W 17–10
2–0
Memorial Stadium
52,613
3
September 18
Philadelphia Eagles
L 10–13
2–1
Mile High Stadium
74,202
4
September 25
Los Angeles Raiders
L 7–22
2–2
Mile High Stadium
74,289
5
October 2
at Chicago Bears
L 14–31
2–3
Soldier Field
58,210
6
October 9
at Houston Oilers
W 26–14
3–3
Astrodome
44,209
7
October 16
Cincinnati Bengals
W 24–17
4–3
Mile High Stadium
74,305
8
October 23
San Diego Chargers
W 14–6
5–3
Mile High Stadium
74,581
9
October 30
Kansas City Chiefs
W 27–24
6–3
Mile High Stadium
74,640
10
November 6
at Seattle Seahawks
L 19–27
6–4
Kingdome
61,189
11
November 13
at Los Angeles Raiders
L 20–22
6–5
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
51,945
12
November 20
Seattle Seahawks
W 38–27
7–5
Mile High Stadium
74,710
13
November 27
at San Diego Chargers
L 7–31
7–6
Jack Murphy Stadium
43,650
14
December 4
Cleveland Browns
W 27–6
8–6
Mile High Stadium
70,912
15
December 11
Baltimore Colts
W 21–19
9–6
Mile High Stadium
74,864
16
December 18
at Kansas City Chiefs
L 17–48
9–7
Arrowhead Stadium
11,377
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
PIT
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Steelers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
BAL
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Colts
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles (2–1)
7
0
0 6 13
Broncos (2–1)
0
0
3 7 10
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
PHI
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Eagles
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 4: Los Aneles Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Raiders (4–0)
0
7
13 2 22
Broncos (2–2)
0
0
0 7 7
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
Point spread : Broncos +3½
Over/Under: 34.0 (under)
Time of Game:
Raiders
Game Statistics
Broncos
11
First downs
16
37–82
Rushes–yards
30–130
154
Passing yards
188
13–24–1
Passes
14–33–2
3–22
Sacked–yards
5–50
132
Net passing yards
138
214
Total yards
268
113
Return yards
122
9–46.1
Punts
8–42.6
3–0
Fumbles–lost
4–2
4–22
Penalties–yards
9–78
29:29
Time of possession
30:31
Individual stats
Week 5: Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos (2–3)
0
0
7 7 14
Bears (2–3)
14
10
0 7 31
at Soldier Field • Chicago, Illinois
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
CHI
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Bears
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 6: Denver Broncos at Houston Oilers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos (3–3)
7
13
3 3 26
Oilers (0–6)
0
14
0 0 14
at Astrodome • Houston, Texas
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
HOU
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Oilers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 7: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bengals (1–6)
7
3
7 0 17
Broncos (4–3)
7
3
7 7 24
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
CIN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Bengals
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 8: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers (3–5)
0
3
3 0 6
Broncos (5–3)
0
0
0 14 14
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SD
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Chargers
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chiefs (4–5)
7
0
3 14 24
Broncos (6–3)
0
17
3 7 27
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
KC
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Chiefs
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 10: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos (6–4)
0
3
6 10 19
Seahawks (6–4)
6
0
14 7 27
at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SEA
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Seahawks
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
DEN
RAI
1
9:24
Broncos
23-yard field goal by Karlis
3
0
1
8:26
—
—
—
Broncos
Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Chavous , Karlis kick good
10
0
2
12:39
Raiders
28-yard field goal by Bahr
10
3
2
0:02
Raiders
42-yard field goal by Bahr
10
6
3
5:52
Raiders
Allen 7-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick good
10
13
4
11:44
Raiders
Hawkins 17-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick no good (aborted)
10
19
4
6:35
Broncos
22-yard field goal by Karlis
13
19
4
0:58
Broncos
Elway 4-yard touchdown run, Karlis kick good
20
19
4
0:04
Raiders
39-yard field goal by Bahr
20
22
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
20
22
Point spread : Broncos +7
Over/Under: 42.0 (push)
Time of Game:
Broncos
Game Statistics
Raiders
14
First downs
23
25–63
Rushes–yards
29–140
190
Passing yards
252
11–31–1
Passes
26–43–0
2–21
Sacked–yards
5–52
169
Net passing yards
200
232
Total yards
340
91
Return yards
147
7–36.4
Punts
5–44.8
2–1
Fumbles–lost
3–3
5–29
Penalties–yards
7–57
26:30
Time of possession
33:30
Individual stats
Week 12: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Seahawks (6–6)
0
7
13 7 27
Broncos (7–5)
10
10
7 11 38
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SEA
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Seahawks
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SD
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Chargers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
CLE
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Browns
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
BAL
Passing
Mike Pagel
13/27, 217 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Curtis Dickey
19 CAR, 92 YDS
Receiving
Bernard Henry
8 REC, 169 YDS, 1 TD
DEN
Passing
John Elway
23/44, 345 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing
John Elway
3 CAR, 23 YDS
Receiving
Steve Watson
4 REC, 98 YDS
Colts
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
KC
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Chiefs
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Source: [ 8] [ 12] [ 13]
Playoff game summaries [ edit ]
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos (0–1)
7
0
0 0 7
Seahawks (1–0)
7
3
7 14 31
at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Steve DeBerg
14/19, 131 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Sammy Winder
16 CAR, 59 YDS
Receiving
Jesse Myles
7 REC, 73 YDS, 1 TD
SEA
Passing
Dave Krieg
12/13, 200 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing
Curt Warner
23 CAR, 99 YDS
Receiving
Steve Largent
4 REC, 76 YDS, 1 TD
Broncos
Game Statistics
Seahawks
21
First downs
17
33–125
Rushes–yards
38–145
254
Passing yards
200
24–34–2
Passes
12–13–0
2–19
Sacked–yards
2–21
233
Net passing yards
179
360
Total yards
324
128
Return yards
146
4–47.8
Punts
3–41.7
1–1
Fumbles–lost
1–0
5–35
Penalties–yards
3–34
30:57
Time of possession
29:03
Individual stats
Playoff Game Officials
Playoff
Round
Opponent
Referee
Umpire
Head Linesman
Line Judge
Back Judge
Side Judge
Field Judge
Alternate
Wild Card
at Seattle
(43) Red Cashion
(67) John Keck
(109) Sid Semon
(41) Dick McKenzie
(28) Don Wedge
(90) Gil Mace
(84) Bob Wortman
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1983 Denver Broncos
^ "Elway hurt; DeBerg directs Broncos win" . Gadsden Times . Alabama. Associated Press. September 5, 1983. p. B4.
^ "Denver's DeBerg keeps rescuing $5 million man" . Palm Beach Post . wire services. September 13, 1983. p. D6.[permanent dead link ]
^ "Struggling Broncos bench Elway, DeBerg starter for rest of season" . Montreal Gazette . UPI. October 6, 1983. p. D-14.
^ Harris, John (November 7, 1983). "Warner shows off for grandfather" . Spokane Chronicle . p. 21.
^ "Elway back as starter after Broncos lose DeBerg" . Montreal Gazette . news services. November 8, 1983. p. D10.
^ Mossman, John (November 21, 1983). "Broncos romp behind reserve QB" . Spokane Chronicle . Associated Press. p. C1.
^ a b c "Broncos center ball to DeBerg for playoff against Seahawks" . Pittsburgh Press . Associated Press. December 23, 1983. p. C2.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: Baltimore Colts 19 at Denver Broncos 21; Sunday, December 11, 1983
^ "NFL roundup" . Spokane Chronicle . Associated Press. December 12, 1983. p. 15.
^ "NFL roundup" . Spokane Chronicle . Associated Press. December 19, 1983. p. 28.
^ a b Cour, Jim (December 23, 1983). "Broncos to bench Elway, start DeBerg" . Evening News . Newburgh-Beacon, New York. Associated Press. p. 2B.
^ a b Hewitt, Brian (December 26, 1983). "The laughing stops" . Spokane Chronicle . (Washington). (Chicago Sun-Times). p. 21.
^ "1983 Denver Broncos Draftees" . Pro-Football-Reference.com .
^ 2010 Denver Broncos Media Guide . p. 361. Retrieved March 6, 2011 .
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 4, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 4, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Baltimore Colts – September 11, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Baltimore Colts – September 11, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos – September 18, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos – September 18, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Los Angeles Raiders at Denver Broncos – September 25, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Los Angeles Raiders at Denver Broncos – September 25, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – October 2, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – October 2, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Houston Oilers – October 9, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Houston Oilers – October 9, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – October 16, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – October 16, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – October 23, 1983
^ The Football Database ; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – October 23, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 30, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 30, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – November 6, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – November 6, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – November 13, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – November 13, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 20, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 20, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 27, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 27, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – December 4, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – December 4, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – December 11, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – December 11, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – December 18, 1983
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – December 18, 1983
^ Pro Football Reference ; 1983 AFC Wild Card Playoffs – (5) Denver Broncos at (4) Seattle Seahawks – December 24, 1983
^ The Football Database ; 1983 AFC Wild Card Playoffs – (5) Denver Broncos at (4) Seattle Seahawks – December 24, 1983
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