1983 Houston Oilers season
The 1983 Houston Oilers season was the 24th season overall and 14th with the National Football League (NFL). After a strike-shorted 1–8 season, the Oilers traded their second draft choice to the Los Angeles Rams, probably fearing that Eric Dickerson, the player they desired to pick with that second choice, would join the Los Angeles Express of the USFL. Dickerson was cool about playing for the Oilers, while his family was firmly opposed.
| 1983 Houston Oilers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Bud Adams |
| General manager | Ladd Herzeg |
| Head coach | Ed Biles Chuck Studley (interim) |
| Home field | Houston Astrodome |
| Results | |
| Record | 2–14 |
| Division place | 4th AFC Central |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | RB Earl Campbell |
The Oilers ultimately made a marginal improvement, winning two games, but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The 460 points allowed by the team are the most given up by the team in franchise history.
The week 13 game against Tampa Bay, before which both teams had 1–11 records, was nicknamed the "Repus Bowl". Steve Wulf wrote of the game, "Yes, this was the Small One, the battle of the beatens, the movable object meeting the resistible force. There were only tomorrows. When these two teams get together, nothing can happen. This game was for a marble." Tampa Bay won the game 33–24.
The last remaining active member of the 1983 Houston Oilers was offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, who retired after the 2001 season.