1983 Washington Redskins season


The Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 52nd season in the National Football League and their 47th in Washington, D.C. The season began with the team trying to win consecutive Super Bowls, following their victory in Super Bowl XVII against the Miami Dolphins. Washington's 14–2 record was a franchise record and the best in the NFL. Their two losses were by a combined 2 points. Though the Redskins won the NFC Championship and advanced to a second consecutive Super Bowl, they were blown out by the [1983 1983 Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders] 38–9 despite being 3-point favorites. They were the first defending Super Bowl champions to qualify for the playoffs since the 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Redskins' 541 points scored and +209 point differential was the best in the league, with the 541 points setting an NFL record at the time. The 1983 Redskins also had a turnover margin of +43, an NFL record. Washington was the first team since the merger to record more than 60 takeaways.
This season was
cornerback Darrell Green's first in the league. He would spend 20 seasons with the team until his retirement in 2002.
The 27–12 victory on September 18 against the Kansas City Chiefs is the only win in franchise history against them as of 2024.

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

To date, this marks the only time that Washington has defeated Kansas City.

Week 11: at New York Giants


Awards and records