1983 NFC East Title Run
Joe Theismann and John Riggins lead the Redskins back to the NFC East summit.
The 1983 Washington Redskins season stands as a defining chapter in franchise history, marking the team's first NFC East division title since 1972 and their return to Super Bowl contention under head coach Joe Gibbs. This era was characterized by a high-powered offense led by quarterback Joe Theismann and running back John Riggins, who would later become the NFL MVP.
- Head Coach
- Joe Gibbs
- Quarterback
- Joe Theismann
- Division Title
- NFC East Champions
- MVP Winner
- John Riggins (NFL)
- Playoff Result
- Lost to Dallas Cowboys in Divisional Round
- Key Era
- The Gibbs Dynasty Foundation
Lore & Background
The team secured the NFC East title with a dramatic finish, culminating in a playoff berth against their arch-rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. Although the season ended in heartbreak with a Divisional Round loss to Dallas at Texas Stadium, the 1983 campaign laid the essential groundwork for the three Super Bowl victories that would follow within six years. It was the moment Washington transitioned from a struggling franchise into a perennial powerhouse.
In Their Own Story
The cold wind whipped through RFK Stadium as Joe Theismann took the snap, his eyes scanning the field with the calm of a veteran who had seen it all before. He spotted John Riggins breaking free in the gap, the crowd roaring as the running back lowered his shoulder and drove forward, untouched. It was 1983, and for the first time in over a decade, the red and gold felt unstoppable.
Reader's Guide
The 1983 season marked the beginning of the Joe Gibbs era, a period that would see Washington transform into a dynasty. Gibbs replaced long-time coach Jack Pardee, bringing a new offensive philosophy centered on balance and power running. Key turning points included the trade for John Riggins, who immediately became the focal point of the offense, and the emergence of Joe Theismann as a franchise quarterback. Their chemistry revitalized the team's morale and performance on the gridiron. Culturally, this era shifted Washington from a mid-tier club to a divisional force. While they fell short in the playoffs against Dallas, the foundation built in 1983 directly led to NFC championships in 1986, 1987, and Super Bowl victories in 1982, 1987, and 1991.
Did You Know?
- John Riggins became the oldest player to win the NFL MVP award at age 34 during this season.
- This was Joe Gibbs' first year as head coach of Washington, starting a tenure that would last until 1992.
- The Redskins finished with an 8-8 record but won the division on a tiebreaker over Dallas and St. Louis.