Definition
The 1982 NFL season was the 63rd regular season of the National Football League (NFL), marked by a players' strike that reduced the regular schedule to nine games per team and led to an expanded playoff format.
Overview
The season commenced on September 12, 1982, but was interrupted after the second week of play by a 57‑day strike initiated by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) over free‑agency rights and revenue sharing. The strike caused the cancellation of 57 of the originally scheduled 256 regular‑season games. When play resumed on November 21, the league adopted a 16‑team playoff tournament—often referred to as the "Super Bowl Tournament"—in which the top eight teams from each conference qualified, regardless of division standing. The Washington Redskins, coached by Joe Gibbs, finished the regular season with a 8–1 record, the best in the league, and proceeded to win Super Bowl XVII on January 30, 1983, defeating the Miami Dolphins 27–17.
Etymology/Origin
The term “1982 NFL season” follows the standard naming convention for annual professional American football seasons, combining the calendar year with the acronym “NFL” (National Football League) and the word “season.” The designation is used by the league, media, and historians to refer specifically to the events, games, and outcomes occurring during the 1982 calendar year.
Characteristics
- Strike Impact: The 57‑day labor dispute was the longest in NFL history up to that point. It resulted in a truncated nine‑game schedule, the fewest regular‑season games since the league’s inception.
- Playoff Expansion: To compensate for the abbreviated schedule, the NFL introduced a 16‑team postseason, the largest in league history at the time, eliminating the usual division‑based qualification.
- Statistical Anomalies: Traditional statistical comparisons (e.g., yards per game, points per game) are adjusted for the reduced number of games. League leaders included Dan Fouts (passing yards) and Earl Campbell (rushing yards).
- Team Performance: Six teams finished with a winning record (8–1) and secured home‑field advantage in the playoffs. The San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants were among the notable teams that qualified despite the shortened season.
- Broadcasting: Television contracts remained in effect, with CBS, NBC, and ESPN providing coverage. The strike prompted renegotiations concerning revenue sharing and player compensation.
- Rule Changes: No major rule changes were enacted specifically for the 1982 season; however, the strike accelerated discussions that later led to the adoption of modern free‑agency and salary‑cap policies in the 1990s.
Related Topics
- 1982 NFL players’ strike
- Super Bowl XVII
- NFL playoff format history
- Labor relations in professional sports
- Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders) franchise history
- Joe Gibbs coaching career
- NFL salary cap development
- Comparison of NFL seasons affected by strikes (e.g., 1987, 2011)