1983 Shootout: Lynn Dickey Leads the Packers Past the Brown in Must-Win Thriller

The 1983 Green Bay Packers had an explosive offense that set franchise records for yards gained and points scored. But the team’s defense struggled with injuries and inconsistent play and gave up yards and points as fast as the offense could score them. That meant the Packers were often involved in exciting and high scoring games that went down to the final minutes. In Week 10, the Packers faced a must-win game against the Cleveland Browns at Milwaukee County Stadium. Today we look back to a 1983 shootout as Lynn Dickey led the Packers past the Browns in a must-win thriller.

Lynn Dickey Leads Packers Past Browns in Must-Win Thriller: The Buildup

The Packers entered the game with a 4-5 record having dropped their last two games after alternating wins and losses for their first seven contests. The team had an explosive offense led by quarterback Lynn Dickey. He had elite receivers led by future Hall of Famer James Lofton, John Jefferson and tight end Paul Coffman.

Head coach Bart Starr continued to be frustrated by his defense. Starting cornerback Mike McCoy was out of the lineup, so rookie first-round pick Tim Lewis had to step up and start for the first time in his career.

The Packers opponents would be the Cleveland Browns. They had a 5-4 record and were coming off a dramatic 25-19 overtime win over the Houston Oilers. The Browns also needed the win in the tight and competitive AFC Central Division. Sam Ratigliano would have his team ready in this must-win game as the playoff race entered the home stretch.

An Explosive Start

The Packers received the opening kickoff and marched down the field. Dickey Lofton for 20 yards and Jefferson for 13 more on the drive. Fullback Gerry Ellis ran three times for 19 yards, and the ball was quickly at the Browns 27. But on 3^rd-and-1, Harlan Huckleby fumbled and the Browns recovered to snuff out the drive.

The Browns then moved the ball deep into Green Bay territory. Quarterback Paul McDonald found Ozzie Newsome for 15 yards. At the Packers 30, McDonald found Willis Adams downfield for 18 yards. But Adams fumbled and linebacker Mike Douglass fell on the ball at the Green Bay 11.

That’s when Dickey went to work. He found Jefferson three times on the drive for 64 yards. The 10-play, 89-yard drive culminated with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jefferson. Jan Stenerud kicked the extra point and the Packers led 7-0.

Lynn Dickey Leads Packers Past Browns in Must-Win Thriller: Mistakes and Triumphs

The Packers mistakes hurt them the next time they had the ball. A holding penalty on center Larry McCarren backed the Packers up to their own 10. Cleveland’s Bob Golic intercepted Dickey and ran it back seven yards for the tying touchdown with 1:19 left in the first quarter.

But the Packers offense responded on their next drive. The Browns were called for 12 men on the field which gave the Packers a first down after the Packers punted. Dickey took advantage of that and a 30-yard pass interference penalty on Rod Perry who interfered with Phil Epps. Dickey found Coffman on a four-yard touchdown and the Pack led 14-7.

Lewis came up with his first career interception on the next drive. He stepped in front of receiver Dave Logan to give the Packers the ball at the Cleveland 22.

“I’m really proud of my first interception,” Lewis said. “I’m going to have it mounted on a stand and painted with bronze. I knew they were going to test me. Dave Logan told me they were going to go at me. I think I played pretty well. There were no blown assignments and the interceptions feel great.”

Four plays later, Dickey found backup tight end Gary Lewis for a 10-yard touchdown. The Packers led 21-7.

The Browns drove to the Packers one-yard line in the closing seconds of the half. On 4^th-and-goal from the one, McDonald’s pass fell incomplete and the Packers led 21-7 at the half.

Second Half Sprint

Brian Sipe replaced McDonald early in the third period, but Lewis intercepted him at the Green Bay five to end another Cleveland drive. The Packers drove 92 yards on eight plays for another score. Dickey connected with Lofton for 44 yards and to Epps for 12 on consecutive plays. He thew a two-yard touchdown pass to Ellis and the Packers led 28-7.

Early in the fourth quarter, Sipe found wideout Bobby Jones on a 20-yard touchdown pass to get the Browns to within two scores. With 1:31 left in the game, he found Dwight Walker for 19 yards and another score making it 28-21. Was the Packers defense going to betray them again?

The Packers recovered the Browns onsides kick and quickly ran for another score as Ellis ran three times for 37 yards on the drive including a 25-yard touchdown sprint. The Packers won the game 35-21.

Lynn Dickey Leads Packers Past Browns in Must-Win Thriller: The Aftermath

Dickey finished the game with 228 yards passing and four touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions. Ellis ran for 86 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown and caught another touchdown pass. Jefferson caught seven passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. It would be the last 100-yard receiving game of his career.

“We are in control of our own destiny which is how it should be,” Starr said after the game.

The Packers would continue to be inconsistent that season. They stood at 8-7 and could have made the playoffs with a win in the season finale, but they lost to the Bears in the final seconds, and Starr was let go after the season ended.

The 1983 Packers were not a great team. But their offense was explosive and they were always exciting.  This game exemplified the roller coaster ride this team put their fans on as they overcame their shortcomings and mistakes to win the game.