| 1983 New England Patriots season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Billy Sullivan |
| General manager | Patrick Sullivan |
| Head coach | Ron Meyer |
| Home field | Sullivan Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | T-2nd AFC East |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | P Rich Camarillo CB Raymond Clayborn RB Tony Collins G John Hannah T Brian Holloway |
| AP All-Pros | G John Hannah (1st team) P Rich Camarillo (2nd team) |
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,[1] 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,[2] with only three games since seeing just one score,[3] all three of which a single field goal was the only score.[note 1]
- ^ ‘Kickoff Return Practices Pay Off as Patriots Slip Past Saints 7–0’; St. Petersburg Times, December 5, 1983, p. 5C
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Games with Final Score 7–0
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Games with Final Score 3–0
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