The 1983 New England Patriots season was the franchise's 14th season in the National Football League and 24th overall. The Patriots played inconsistently all season, but at 8–7 had a chance for a playoff spot with a win in their final game of the season in Seattle. The Patriots would have problems with turnovers as rookie quarterback Tony Eason was swallowed up in a 24–6 loss to the Seahawks.
In the first week of December, in shocking conditions with sleet and snow,‘Kickoff Return Practices Pay Off as Patriots Slip Past Saints 7–0’; St. Petersburg Times, December 5, 1983, p. 5C the Patriots’ game with wild card contender New Orleans Saints saw just one score set up by Ricky Smith returning the Saints’ initial kickoff to the 3-yard line. As of 2023, this game remains the most recent 7–0 result in NFL history,Pro Football Reference; Games with Final Score 7–0 with only three games since seeing just one score,Pro Football Reference; Games with Final Score 3–0 all three of which a single field goal was the only score.These 3–0 scores occurred in 1993 when the Jets defeated the Redskins, in 2007 when the Steelers defeated the Dolphins, and in 2023 when the Vikings defeated the Raiders Draft
Staff New England Patriots 1983 staff Front office President – Billy Sullivan Executive vice president – Chuck Sullivan Vice-president – Bucko Kilroy General manager – Patrick Sullivan Director of player development – Dick Steinberg Director of college scouting – Joe Mendes Director of pro scouting – Bill McPeak
Head coaches Head coach – Ron Meyer
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Lew Erber Offensive backs – Cleve Bryant Receivers – Steve Endicott Offensive line – Bill Muir Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Rod Rust Defensive line – Tommy Brasher Linebackers – Steve Sidwell Secondary – Steve Walters
Special teams coaches Special teams/tight ends – Dante Scarnecchia
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – LeBaron Caruthers
Roster
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 4 Baltimore Colts L 23–29 0–1 Sullivan Stadium 45,526 2 September 11 at Miami Dolphins L 24–34 0–2 Miami Orange Bowl 59,343 3 September 18 New York Jets W 23–13 1–2 Sullivan Stadium 43,182 4 September 25 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 28–23 2–2 Three Rivers Stadium 58,282 5 October 2 San Francisco 49ers L 13–33 2–3 Sullivan Stadium 54,293 6 October 9 at Baltimore Colts L 7–12 2–4 Memorial Stadium 35,618 7 October 16 San Diego Chargers W 37–21 3–4 Sullivan Stadium 59,016 8 October 23 at Buffalo Bills W 31–0 4–4 Rich Stadium 60,424 9 October 30 at Atlanta Falcons L 13–24 4–5 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 47,546 10 November 6 Buffalo Bills W 21–7 5–5 Sullivan Stadium 42,604 11 November 13 Miami Dolphins W 17–6 6–5 Sullivan Stadium 60,771 12 November 20 Cleveland Browns L 0–30 6–6 Sullivan Stadium 40,987 13 November 27 at New York Jets L 3–26 6–7 Shea Stadium 48,620 14 December 4 New Orleans Saints W 7–0 7–7 Sullivan Stadium 24,579 15 December 11 at Los Angeles Rams W 21–7 8–7 Anaheim Stadium 46,503 16 December 18 at Seattle Seahawks L 6–24 8–8 Kingdome 59,688 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Notes
References
See also List of New England Patriots seasons