1984 USFL season


The 1984 USFL season was the second season of the United States Football League.

Rule changes

  • The USFL added the side judge to the game officials, making a seven-man crew.
  • Teams played preseason games in 1984. There had been no preseason games in 1983.

Franchise changes

  • Boston Breakers are sold and relocate to New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans Breakers on October 18, 1983.
  • Six expansion teams: Houston Gamblers, Jacksonville Bulls, Memphis Showboats, Oklahoma Outlaws, Pittsburgh Maulers and San Antonio Gunslingers
  • Chicago Blitz's owner buys Arizona Wranglers and sells Blitz, all but two Blitz players are traded to Arizona, all but two Wranglers players are traded to Chicago. The Blitz coaches also go to Arizona, with Chicago acquiring a new coaching staff in 1984. The franchises also trade draft choices.

General news

On September 21, 1983, the New Jersey Generals were sold to Donald Trump.
On October 19, 1983, the United States Football League awarded the 1984 USFL Champion Game to Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL and the 1985 USFL Championship Game to the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, MI.
On February 15, the USFL took control of the Chicago Blitz.
The Denver Gold were sold during the 1984 season.
In May 1984, the USFL announced a "new" Chicago franchise would be created for the 1985 season.
Players vote to form a union, United States Football League Players Association, with former Buffalo Bills linebacker Doug Allen serving as executive director.
Philadelphia and Tampa Bay played in a post season exhibition game billed as "The Jetsave Challenge Cup" in Wembley Stadium on July 21. Philadelphia won 24–21.
On August 22, 1984, the owners voted to move to a fall schedule starting in 1986.
On October 19, 1984, the owners reaffirmed the move to the fall.

Regular season

W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PCT= Winning Percentage, PF= Points For, PA = Points Against
= Division Champion, = Wild Card
Birmingham won the Southern Division championship over Tampa Bay based on a division record tiebreaker advantage. Birmingham and Tampa Bay tied in the first tiebreaking step, head-to-head.
Tampa Bay won the tiebreaker over New Jersey for the 3rd seed based on winning the head-to-head game.
Los Angeles won the Pacific Division championship over Arizona based on a conference record tiebreaker advantage. Los Angeles and Arizona tied in the first two tiebreaking steps, head-to-head and best divisional record.
Michigan won the tiebreaker over Arizona for the 3rd seed based on winning the head-to-head game.
''Pittsburgh finished ahead of Washington based on a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage.''

Playoffs

USFL Championship Game

July 15
  • Philadelphia 23, Arizona 3

Awards

1984 USFL All-League Team
1984 The Sporting News USFL All-Star Team