In May 1982, running back
Joe Delaney underwent
surgery to repair a detached
retina in his
eye, a radical procedure at the time.[1] Optimism abounded at
Arrowhead Stadium thanks to the club's promising 9–7 record from
1981, but swelling labor unrest from NFL players spelled doom for both the Chiefs and Levy in 1982. The Chiefs split their first two games of the year before a 57-day strike by the
NFL Players Association began at midnight on September 20. The strike concluded on November 17 after seven games were canceled and one was rescheduled, but the Chiefs would never recover, losing four straight games after their return to the field.[1] Center
Jack Rudnay, who had been one of the franchise's most durable and decorated offensive performers over the past decade, announced on December 20 that he would retire after the season. The Chiefs finished the strike-shortened season at 3–6. Following the season, head coach
Marv Levy was fired after going 31–42 in five seasons with zero playoff appearances.[1]
^
abMiami finished ahead of Cincinnati based on better conference record (6–1 to Cincinnati’s 6–2).
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abPittsburgh finished ahead of San Diego based on better record against common opponents (3–1 to Chargers' 2–1). Conference tiebreak was initially used to eliminate New York Jets.
^
abc Pittsburgh and San Diego finished ahead of New York Jets based on conference record (Pittsburgh and San Diego 5–3 against Jets’ 2–3)
^
abcCleveland finished ahead of Buffalo and Buffalo ahead of Seattle based on conference record (4–3 to Buffalo’s 3–3 to Seattle’s 3–5).
In May 1982, running back
Joe Delaney underwent
surgery to repair a detached
retina in his
eye, a radical procedure at the time.[1] Optimism abounded at
Arrowhead Stadium thanks to the club's promising 9–7 record from
1981, but swelling labor unrest from NFL players spelled doom for both the Chiefs and Levy in 1982. The Chiefs split their first two games of the year before a 57-day strike by the
NFL Players Association began at midnight on September 20. The strike concluded on November 17 after seven games were canceled and one was rescheduled, but the Chiefs would never recover, losing four straight games after their return to the field.[1] Center
Jack Rudnay, who had been one of the franchise's most durable and decorated offensive performers over the past decade, announced on December 20 that he would retire after the season. The Chiefs finished the strike-shortened season at 3–6. Following the season, head coach
Marv Levy was fired after going 31–42 in five seasons with zero playoff appearances.[1]
^
abMiami finished ahead of Cincinnati based on better conference record (6–1 to Cincinnati’s 6–2).
^
abPittsburgh finished ahead of San Diego based on better record against common opponents (3–1 to Chargers' 2–1). Conference tiebreak was initially used to eliminate New York Jets.
^
abc Pittsburgh and San Diego finished ahead of New York Jets based on conference record (Pittsburgh and San Diego 5–3 against Jets’ 2–3)
^
abcCleveland finished ahead of Buffalo and Buffalo ahead of Seattle based on conference record (4–3 to Buffalo’s 3–3 to Seattle’s 3–5).