A 57-day (20 September – 17 November) player strike shortened the scheduled 16 game days of the regular season to nine in the 1982 season. As a result, the play-off modalities had to be changed. The importance of the divisions was suspended for this season. In addition, the field of play-off participants was expanded to eight teams per conference (otherwise six play-off participants per conference).
The negotiated collective bargaining agreement was in effect until 1986. A minimum wage, wages for training camps and pre-season games as well as support for medical care, insurance and pensions were improved.
For the first time, the Sunday games began either at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (7:00 p.m. CET) or 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (10:00 p.m. CET). There was an exception for the Baltimore Colts, which due to local regulations could not start before 2 p.m.