The 1983 season was the Los Angeles Raiders' 14th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 24th season overall, and their second season in Los Angeles. The team began by attempting to improve on their 8–1 record from 1982 and went on to win the Super Bowl for the third time in franchise history. Prior to the Los Angeles Rams victory in Super Bowl LVI, the 1983 Raiders were the only NFL team to win the Super Bowl while based in Los Angeles. They became the 2nd team in NFL history to win 3 Super Bowls, the first being the Steelers. As of 2025, this is the Raiders' most recent championship; they also would not make another appearance in the Super Bowl until the 2002 season, by then back in Oakland.
NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Just Win, Baby!; it was narrated by John Facenda, the 16th and final Raiders highlight film narrated by Facenda, who died on September 26, 1984. On November 24, 2006, NFL Network aired America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, in which they ranked the 1983 Raiders at #20; the film was narrated by Alec Baldwin and featured commentary from players Marcus Allen, Todd Christensen and Howie Long.
Contents
Offseason
NFL draft
During the draft the Raiders had attempted to execute a 3-team trade that would have brought future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway to Los Angeles, but this trade was blocked, and Elway was instead drafted by the Colts, for whom he refused to play, then traded to the Broncos.
Personnel
Staff / Coaches
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Training Camp
The 1983 Los Angeles Raiders training camp facility was the El Rancho Tropicana in Santa Rosa, California.
Preseason
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Regular season
Game summaries
Point spread: Raiders +2
Over/under: 42.0 (under)
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Individual stats
Starting Lineups
Point spread: Raiders −10
Over/under: 44.0 (under)
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Individual stats
Starting Lineups
Point spread: Raiders —1½
Over/under: 39.5 (over)
Time of game: 2 hours, 57 minutes
Individual stats
Starting Lineups
Point spread: Raiders —3½
Over/under: 34.0 (under)
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Individual stats
Starting Lineups
Point spread: Raiders +2
Over/under: 38.5 (over)
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Individual stats
Starting Lineups
Point spread: Raiders −9
Over/under: 40.5 (over)
Standings
Final statistics
Statistical comparison
Boxscore
Individual leaders
Offense
1Completions/attempts
2Carries
3Long gain
4Receptions
Defense
Special teams
Scoring
Postseason
Schedule
Notes:
The Raiders scored 3 touchdowns in the third quarter en route to a 38–10 win over the Steelers. In the first quarter, Pittsburgh advanced on a 78-yard drive, but when faced with fourth down and inches near the goal line, they opted for kicker Gary Anderson's 17-yard field goal. But the Raiders controlled the rest of the game, as Lester Hayes returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown. A 4-yard touchdown by running back Marcus Allen and a 45-yard field goal gave the Raiders a 17–3 lead. The Raiders then scored three touchdowns in the third period, including Allen's 49-yard run. Allen finished the game with 121 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on just 13 carries, while also catching 5 passes for 38 yards. The Steelers' lone score in the second half was wide receiver John Stallworth's 58-yard touchdown reception. Raiders go to the AFC Championship Game and win to the Seattle Seahawks 30–14. And win Super Bowl XVIII to the Redskins 38–9.
Point spread: Raiders −7
Over/under: 47.0 (under)
Time of game: 3 hours, 13 minutes
Individual stats
Starting Lineups
Seattle had defeated Los Angeles twice during the regular season, but this game had a very different outcome.
The Raiders jumped to a 20–0 halftime lead en route to a 30–14 victory. The Seahawks were held to 65 rushing yards while Raiders Running back Marcus Allen ran for 154 yards, caught 7 passes for 62 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns. Lester Hayes' interception on Seattle's first drive of the game set up a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Raiders running back Frank Hawkins then scored two touchdowns. In the second half, Seahawks starting quarterback Dave Krieg was benched and replaced by Jim Zorn. Zorn threw two touchdown passes, but it was not enough as Allen's 3-yard touchdown reception and another Raiders field goal put the game away. Seahawks running back Curt Warner, the AFC's leading rusher during the regular season, was held to just 26 yards on 11 carries. Raiders go to Super Bowl XVIII to the Washington Redskins 38–9.