1983 Chicago Bears season
| 1983 Chicago Bears season | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Head coach |
Mike Ditka (2nd season) |
| General manager | Jim Finks |
| Owner |
The McCaskey Family (Family control since 1921; Virginia McCaskey since 1983) |
| Home field | Soldier Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | 3rd NFC Central |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers |
2
|
| AP All-Pros |
2
|
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| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | MIN | Benny Ricardo 30 yard field goal | MIN 3–0 | |
| Q1 | MIN | Benny Ricardo 29 yard field goal | MIN 6–0 | |
| Q1 | CHI | Walter Payton 74 yard pass from Matt Suhey (Bob Thomas kick) | CHI 7–6 | |
| Q1 | CHI | Bob Thomas 42 yard field goal | CHI 10–6 | |
| Q2 | CHI | Emery Moorehead 2 yard pass from Jim McMahon (kick failed) | CHI 17–6 | |
| Q3 | MIN | Ted Brown 1 yard run (Benny Ricardo kick) | CHI 19–13 | |
| Q4 | CHI | Bob Thomas 22 yard field goal | CHI 19–13 | |
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| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bears | Willie Gault 35-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Bob Thomas kick) | Bears 7–0 | |
| 1 | Packers | Lynn Dickey 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick) | Tie 7–7 | |
| 2 | Packers | James Lofton 31-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Jan Stenerud kick) | Packers 14–7 | |
| 3 | Bears | Dennis McKinnon 22-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Bob Thomas kick) | Tie 14–14 | |
| 4 | Bears | Jim McMahon 6-yard run (run failed) | Bears 20–14 | |
| 4 | Packers | Paul Coffman 5-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Jan Stenerud kick) | Packers 21–20 | |
| 4 | Bears | Bob Thomas 22-yard field goal | Bears 23–21 | |
The 1983 Chicago Bears season was their 64th regular season completed in the National Football League. The club posted an 8–8 record under second year head coach Mike Ditka, but missed postseason play. Jim McMahon was the quarterback, who completed 175 of 295 pass attempts. The Bears 1983 NFL Draft class was ranked #3 in NFL Top 10's greatest draft classes.
The Bears were predicted to finish 7–9 and fourth in the division by Paul Zimmerman. Their prized new weapon would be Willie Gault, Dennis McKinnon (signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bears in 1983) and Jimbo Covert would help open bigger holes for Walter Payton but it was felt they were a few offensive lineman and a tight end away from being effective. The defense would be led by All-Pro Dan Hampton and new defensive backs Mike Richardson and Dave Duerson. The Bears started 1983 by losing 7 of their first 10, but won 5 of their last 6 to finish 8–8. The Bears would go 71–18 in regular season games from November 13, 1983, through October 2, 1989.
CHI: Mike Hartenstine 2.0 sacks, Terry Schmidt INT
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