The 1985 Chicago Bears season was their 66th regular season and 16th post-season completed in the National Football League.
The club posted a 15–1 record becoming only the second team in NFL history to finish a season with a 15–1 record since the NFL went to a 16 game schedule in 1978.[1] They earned the top seed in the NFC for the playoffs; they remain the last 15-win team to win the Super Bowl.[2]
The Bears defeated their three post season opponents by a combined score of 91-10 en route to a victory in Super Bowl XX, their ninth NFL Championship. The Bears became the only team in NFL history to record back-to-back shutouts in the postseason, with a 21-0 win over New York and a 24-0 victory over the Rams.
This was also the team's cheerleading squad Chicago Honey Bears' final season with the team, as team owner Virginia Halas McCaskey eventually terminated them.[3]
The team's starting middle linebacker, linebacker Mike Singletary was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the UPI Defensive NFC Player of the Year. Running back Walter Payton won the NFC Offensive Player of the Year, head coach Mike Ditka was named NFL Coach of the Year and defensive end Richard Dent was named Super Bowl MVP.
The 1985 Chicago Bears are one of the few teams to consistently challenge the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins for the unofficial title of the greatest NFL team of all time.[4][5] In 2007, the 1985 Bears were ranked as the second greatest Super Bowl championship team on the NFL Network's documentary series America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, ranking behind the 1972 Dolphins. Many sources, however, such as ESPN, rate the 1985 Chicago Bears as the greatest NFL team ever.[6]
The Bears were first in scoring defense, allowing only 198 points in the regular season, with an average of allowing only 12.4 points/game, as well as scoring more points than given up. They were also second in scoring with 456 points, trailing only the Chargers that season. They also led the league in turnover differential at plus-23. The team also had 4 shutouts over the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the postseason.[7]
Their defense, with their 46 defense and led by Buddy Ryan, was known for being one of the greatest in league history, with their linebacking corps (Mike Singletary, Wilber Marshall, and Otis Wilson) being ranked #5 for the greatest linebacking corps in NFL history in NFL Top 10.[8] The Bears were famous (or infamous) for getting to the quarterback repeatedly, with a notable moment being a sack by Marshall against the Detroit Lions where he knocked quarterback Joe Ferguson unconscious..[9] The irony of the defense's success was that two of the Bears top defensive players, linebacker Al Harris and strong safety Todd Bell, missed the entire season due to contract disputes.[10] Additionally, the team possessed several talented offensive players to back up their defense.
After the loss to the Miami Dolphins, most of the team recorded the song The Super Bowl Shuffle (Defensive lineman Dan Hampton refused to play due to the song's arrogance), becoming the first sports team to record a rap song (The 49ers recorded a post-disco song the year before: We Are The 49ers). The song's popularity led to it being #41 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and the song funded $300,000 in profit for the Chicago Community Trust to help needy families in Chicago with clothing, shelter, and food, hence Walter Payton's rap lyric: "now we're not doing this because we're greedy, the Bears are doing it to feed the needy".
In 2011, the Bears made their visit to the White House, 25 years after their intended visit, due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.[11] A year before, during Super Bowl XLIV, the surviving members of the Bears recreated The Super Bowl Shuffle as the Boost Mobile Shuffle, promoting Boost Mobile.[12]
[edit] Offseason
[edit] 1985 NFL Draft
Main article:
1985 NFL Draft[edit] Preseason
[edit] Regular season
| "I think we were just a group of guys that came together at a point in time, that really loved the game, and really loved each other. We had so much passion for the game, and so much pride in what we did." |
| ~Bears linebacker Mike Singletary (In an America's Game segment[13] |
[edit] Schedule
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Game site |
Record |
Attendance |
| 1 |
September 8, 1985 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
W 38-28 |
Soldier Field |
1-0 |
57,828 |
| 2 |
September 15, 1985 |
New England Patriots |
W 20–7 |
Soldier Field |
2-0 |
60,533 |
| 3 |
September 19, 1985 |
at Minnesota Vikings |
W 33-24 |
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
3-0 |
61,242 |
| 4 |
September 29, 1985 |
Washington Redskins |
W 45-10 |
Soldier Field |
4-0 |
63,708 |
| 5 |
October 6, 1985 |
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
W 27-19 |
Tampa Stadium |
5-0 |
51,795 |
| 6 |
October 13, 1985 |
at San Francisco 49ers |
W 26-10 |
Candlestick Park |
6-0 |
60,523 |
| 7 |
October 21, 1985 |
Green Bay Packers |
W 23-7 |
Soldier Field |
7-0 |
65,095 |
| 8 |
October 27, 1985 |
Minnesota Vikings |
W 27-9 |
Soldier Field |
8-0 |
63,815 |
| 9 |
November 3, 1985 |
at Green Bay Packers |
W 16-10 |
Lambeau Field |
9-0 |
55,343 |
| 10 |
November 10, 1985 |
Detroit Lions |
W 24-3 |
Soldier Field |
10-0 |
53,467 |
| 11 |
November 17, 1985 |
at Dallas Cowboys |
W 44-0 |
Texas Stadium |
11-0 |
63,855 |
| 12 |
November 24, 1985 |
Atlanta Falcons |
W 36-0 |
Soldier Field |
12-0 |
61,769 |
| 13 |
December 2, 1985 |
at Miami Dolphins |
L 24-38 |
Orange Bowl |
12-1 |
75,594 |
| 14 |
December 8, 1985 |
Indianapolis Colts |
W 17-10 |
Soldier Field |
13-1 |
59,997 |
| 15 |
December 14, 1985 |
at New York Jets |
W 19-6 |
The Meadowlands |
14-1 |
74,752 |
| 16 |
December 22, 1985 |
at Detroit Lions |
W 37-17 |
Pontiac Silverdome |
15-1 |
74,042 |
[edit] Regular season results
[edit] Week 1: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In the season opener against the Bucs, the Bears defense seemed lost for much of the first half of the game by allowing 28 points, but the offense was able to lead the Bears to a victory after Jim McMahon scored 3 touchdowns, with Matt Suhey scoring on another. Leslie Frazier was also able to give the Bears defense their first highlight of the season by returning a Steve DeBerg interception 29 yards for a touchdown.
[edit] Week 2: vs New England Patriots
In a Super Bowl XX preview, the Bears defense was able to find their groove by forcing 4 turnovers on New England, and allowing them to only a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
[edit] Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings
The following week against rival Minnesota, backup quarterback Steve Fuller was called up to take the place of Jim McMahon, who was sidelined with a pinched nerve. With the Bears trailing the Vikings, eventually allowed an anxious McMahon to return to the game. Without any delay, McMahon spearheaded a Bears comeback and victory, with the game being famously called The Viking Miracle.[17]
[edit] Week 4: vs Washington Redskins
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Redskins |
7 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
| Bears |
0 |
31 |
7 |
7 |
45 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Date: September 29, 1985
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C)
- Referee: Bob Frederic
- [18]
|
|
[edit] Week 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
[edit] Week 6: at San Francisco 49ers
9 months after their humiliating defeat at the hands of the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, the Bears claimed their revenge by sacking Joe Montana a then-career high 7 times. In return for 49ers coach Bill Walsh's idea of sending in lineman Guy McIntyre in as fullback the season before, Mike Ditka sent in rookie William Perry in, but as a runner, rather than a blocker. After the game, Ditka was arrested for DWI.[21]
[edit] Week 7: vs Green Bay Packers
The Bears defeated the Packers on Monday Night Football in a decisive 23-7 victory, with Perry becoming a folk hero after scoring his first career touchdown on a 1-yard run.[23]
[edit] Week 8: vs Minnesota Vikings
[edit] Week 9: at Green Bay Packers
The Packers increased tensions in the Bears-Packers rivalry after putting horse manure in the Bears locker room. However, the Bears had the last laugh against their hated rival, winning 16-10, and Perry scored his first career receiving touchdown along the way, and Packers Mark Lee (American football) and Ken Stills intensified the game after Lee sent Payton over a bench and Stills leveling Matt Suhey.[26]
[edit] Week 10: vs Detroit Lions
The Bears recorded their first of 3 consecutive shutouts against the Lions.
[edit] Week 11: at Dallas Cowboys
In a student vs teacher matchup, the Bears shutout the Cowboys, handing them their worst loss in franchise history, as well as the first time they were shutout in 15 years. The win also gave the Bears the NFC Central division title.
[edit] Week 12: vs Atlanta Falcons
In the coldest game of the season, the Bears recorded their third straight shutout against Atlanta, with defensive lineman Henry Waechter sacking Bob Holly in the endzone for a safety.
[edit] Week 13: at Miami Dolphins
The Bears’ hopes for a perfect season were thwarted when Dan Marino and the Dolphins defeated the McMahon-less Bears on Monday Night Football, 38-24.
[edit] Week 14: vs Indianapolis Colts
[edit] Week 15: at New York Jets
[edit] Week 16: at Detroit Lions
The game featured a particular sack on Lions quarterback Joe Ferguson where he was knocked unconscious by Bears linebacker Wilber Marshall.[33][34]
[edit] Standings
[35]
[edit] 1985 roster
| Complete Roster of 1985 season (1/26/1986) |
|
Quarterbacks
Offensive backs
Receivers
Tight ends
|
|
Kickers
Offensive line
Defensive line
|
|
Linebackers
Cornerbacks
Defensive backs
Safeties
|
[edit] Depth chart
[edit] Playoffs
|
Details
|
The Bears defense dominated the game by allowing only 32 rushing yards and sacked Giants quarterback Phil Simms for 60 yards. Chicago's first touchdown resulted on a New York punt attempt from their own 12-yard line. The wind caught the ball just enough for punter Sean Landeta to completely miss it, and Shaun Gayle picked it up and ran 5 yards for a touchdown. Bears quarterback Jim McMahon later threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter, both to Dennis McKinnon. McMahon finished the game with 216 passing yards, while running back Walter Payton rushed for 94 yards.
The Bears defense dominated the game by limiting Rams running back Eric Dickerson to 46 yards, and holding quarterback Dieter Brock to 10 out of 31 completions for 66 passing yards. Los Angeles only gained 130 yards of total offense. Chicago quarterback Jim McMahon scored on a 16-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and later threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Willie Gault in the third quarter. Kicker Kevin Butler kicked a 34-yard field goal in the first period. In the fourth quarter, defensive lineman Richard Dent forced Brock to fumble, and linebacker Wilber Marshall picked up the loose ball and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown.
The Patriots took a quick lead after linebacker Larry McGrew recovered a fumble from Walter Payton at the Chicago 19-yard line on the second play of the game, setting up Tony Franklin's 36-yard field goal 1:19 into the first quarter. The Bears struck back with a 7 play, 59-yard drive, featuring a 43-yard pass completion from Jim McMahon to wide receiver Willie Gault, to set up a field goal from Kevin Butler, tying the score 3-3.
After both teams traded punts, Richard Dent and linebacker Wilber Marshall shared a sack on Eason, forcing a fumble that lineman Dan Hampton recovered on the Patriots 13-yard line. Chicago then drove to the 3-yard line, but had to settle for another field goal from Butler after rookie defensive lineman William "Refrigerator" Perry was tackled for a 1-yard loss while trying to throw his first NFL pass on a halfback option play. On the Patriots' ensuing drive, Dent forced running back Craig James to fumble, which was recovered by linebacker Mike Singletary at the 13-yard line. Two plays later, Bears fullback Matt Suhey scored on an 11-yard touchdown run to increase the lead 13-3.
New England took the ensuing kickoff and ran one play before the first quarter ended, which resulted in positive yardage for the first time in the game (a 3-yard run by James). But after an incomplete pass and a 4-yard loss, they had to send in punter Rich Camarillo again, and receiver Keith Ortego returned the ball 12 yards to the 41-yard line. The Bears subsequently drove 59 yards in 10 plays, featuring a 24-yard reception by Suhey, to score on McMahon's 2-yard touchdown run to increase their lead, 20-3. After the ensuing kickoff, New England lost 13 yards in 3 plays and had to punt again, but got the ball back with great field position when defensive back Raymond Clayborn recovered a fumble from Suhey at their own 46-yard line. Patriots coach Raymond Berry then replaced Eason with Steve Grogan to see if he could spark the Patriots offense. But Grogan could only lead them to the 37-yard line and they decided to punt rather than risk a 55-yard field goal attempt. The Bears then marched 72 yards in 11 plays, moving the ball inside the Patriots 10-yard line. New England kept them out of the end zone, but Butler kicked his third field goal on the last play of the half to give Chicago a 23-3 halftime lead.
The Bears had absolutely dominated New England in the first half, holding them to 21 offensive plays (only 4 of which resulted in positive yardage), -19 total offensive yards, 2 pass completions, 1 first down, and 3 points. Meanwhile, Chicago gained 236 yards and scored 23 points themselves.
After the Patriots received the second half opening kickoff, they managed to get one first down, but then had to punt after Grogan was sacked twice. Camarillo, who punted 4 times in the first half, managed to pin the Bears back at their own 4-yard line with a Super Bowl record 62-yard punt. But the Patriots defense still had no ability to stop Chicago's offense. On their very first play, McMahon faked a handoff to Payton, then threw a 60-yard completion to Gault. Eight plays later, McMahon finished the Super Bowl record 96-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make the Bears lead 30-3. On New England's second drive of the period, Chicago cornerback Reggie Phillips intercepted a pass from Grogan and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead 37-3.
On the second play of their ensuing possession, the Patriots turned the ball over again, when receiver Cedric Jones lost a fumble after catching a 19-yard pass from Grogan. A few plays later, McMahon's 27-yard completion to receiver Dennis Gentry moved the ball to the 1-yard line, setting up perhaps the most memorable moment of the game. William "the Refrigerator" Perry was brought on to score on offense, as he had done twice in the regular season. His touchdown made the score 44-3.
The Patriots finally scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, advancing the ball 76 yards in 12 plays and scoring on an 8-yard pass from Grogan to receiver Irving Fryar. But the Bears defense dominated New England for the rest of the game, forcing another fumble, another interception, and defensive lineman Henry Waechter's sack on Grogan in the end zone for a safety to make the final score 46-10.
One irony in the Bears victory was that Payton had a relatively poor performance statistically running the ball and never scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XX, his first and only Super Bowl appearance during his Hall of Fame career. However, if one views the game and watches the Patriot's defense, it is clear that their primary goal was stopping Payton and he frequently had three and four defenders keyed on him on nearly every play. This allowed the rest of the Bear's offense far more opportunities to score than had the Patriots employed a more balanced defense. Ultimately Payton was the Bears' leading rusher during the game, the Patriots defense held him to only 61 yards on 22 carries, with his longest run being only 7 yards. He was given several opportunities to score near the goal line, but New England stopped him every time before he reached the end zone (such as his 2-yard loss from the New England 3-yard line a few plays before Butler's second field goal, and his 2-yard run from the 4-yard line right before McMahon's first rushing touchdown). Thus, Chicago head coach Mike Ditka opted to go for other plays to counter the Patriots defense. Perry's touchdown and McMahon's rushing touchdowns are widely considered as scoring opportunities that were denied to Payton. Ditka has since gone on record stating that his biggest regret of his career was not creating a scoring opportunity for Payton during the game.
McMahon, who completed 12 out of 20 passes for 256 yards, became the first quarterback in a Super Bowl to score 2 rushing touchdowns. Bears receiver Willie Gault finished the game with 129 receiving yards on just 4 receptions, an average of over 32.2 yards per catch. He also returned 4 kickoffs for 49 yards. Suhey had 11 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown, and caught a pass for 24 yards. Singletary tied a Super Bowl record with 2 fumble recoveries.
Eason became the first Super Bowl starting quarterback to fail to complete a pass, going 0 for 6 attempts. The Bears also dominated Patriots starting running back James, holding him to 1 yard on 5 carries, with 1 fumble. Grogan completed 17 out of 30 passes for 177 yards and 1 touchdown, with 2 interceptions. Although Fullback Tony Collins was the Patriots leading rusher, he was limited to just 4 yards on 3 carries, and caught 2 passes for 19 yards. New England receiver Stephen Starring returned 7 kickoffs for 153 yards and caught 2 passes for 39 yards.
- Scoring
- NE - Tony Franklin 36 yd FG (NE 3-0)
- CHI - Kevin Butler 28 yd FG (3-3)
- CHI - Kevin Butler 24 yd FG (CHI 6-3)
- CHI - Matt Suhey 11 yd TD run (Butler kick) (CHI 13-3)
- CHI - Jim McMahon 2 yd TD run (Butler kick) (CHI 20-3)
- CHI - Kevin Butler 24 yd FG (CHI 23-3)
- CHI - Jim McMahon 1 yd TD run (Butler kick) (CHI 30-3)
- CHI - Reggie Phillips 28 yd interception return TD (Butler kick) (CHI 37-3)
- CHI - William Perry 1 yd TD run (Butler kick) (CHI 44-3)
- NE - 8 yd TD pass from Steve Grogan to Irving Fryar (Franklin kick) (CHI 44-10)
- CHI - Safety, Steve Grogan sacked in end zone by Henry Waechter (CHI 46-10)
|
[edit] Awards
- NFL Champions (9)
- National Football Conference Championship
- NFC Central Division Championship
- Richard Dent, Super Bowl XX Most Valuable Player
- Mike Ditka, 1985 AP NFL Coach of Year
- Mike Ditka, 1985 Sporting News NFL Coach of Year
- Mike Ditka, 1985 UPI NFL Coach of Year
- Walter Payton, Bert Bell Award[38]
- Walter Payton, UPI NFC Player of the Year, Offense
- Mike Singletary, National Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
- Mike Singletary, UPI NFC Player of the Year, Defense
- Mike Singletary, NFC Defensive Player of the Year
[edit] Hall of Famers
- 1988 Enshrinement Mike Ditka: 1961-1966 (player)
- 1993 Enshrinement Walter Payton: 1975-1987
- 1998 Enshrinement Mike Singletary: 1981-1992
- 2002 Enshrinement Dan Hampton: 1979-1990
- 2011 Enshrinement Richard Dent: 1983-1993, 1995
[edit] Players that became coaches
- Mike Singletary, Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers (2008–2010); Minnesota Vikings (2011–present; linebackers coach)
- Leslie Frazier, Head Coach of the Minnesota Vikings (2010–present)
- Ron Rivera, Defensive Coordinator of the Bears (2004–2006); Head Coach of the Carolina Panthers (2011–present)
- Brian Cabral, Interim Head Coach of the Colorado Buffaloes (2010)
- Steve McMichael, Head Coach Chicago Slaughter, CIFL (2007–present)
- Dennis Gentry, Running Backs Coach Chicago Enforcers, XFL (2001)
- Jeff Fisher, Head Coach of the Tennessee Titans, (1994–2010); St. Louis Rams (2012–present) was on injured reserve
[edit] References
- ^ The first team in history to accomplish this feat was the San Francisco 49ers who did it the previous season and were later joined by the 1998 Minnesota Vikings, the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2011 Green Bay Packers as the only teams in league history to go 15-1. The 2007 New England Patriots went undefeated in the regular season, winning all 16 of their games.
- ^ as of 2011
- ^ Chicago Honey Bears.net
- ^ ESPN.com - Page2 - Greatest NFL teams of all time
- ^ Greatest NFL Teams of All Time
- ^ 1985 Bears Voted Best Super Bowl Winner
- ^ 1985 Chicago Bears - NFL's 10 Greatest Teams - 125th Anniversary - Sporting News
- ^ Top 10 linebacking corps in NFL history
- ^ 1985 Bears: Wilber Marshall's Bonecrushing Hit [Video] - Chicago Sports Mob
- ^ Numbelivable!, p.105, Michael X. Ferraro and John Veneziano, Triumph Books, Chicago, Illinois, 2007, ISBN 978-1-57243-990-0
- ^ 1985 Bears honored by President Obama
- ^ MediaPost Publications Boost Mobile 'Shuffles' Into Its First Super Bowl 01/21/2010
- ^ America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, "#2. 1985 Chicago Bears." Premiered on CBS, Feb. 3, 2007
- ^ Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears - September 8th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ New England Patriots at Chicago Bears - September 15th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings - September 19th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Hey-Let's check out the Viking Miracle (McMahon owns the Vikings) - Windy City Gridiron
- ^ Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears - September 29th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - October 6th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers - October 13th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ SPORTS PEOPLE - SPORTS PEOPLE - Ditka's Defense Falters - NYTimes.com
- ^ Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - October 21st, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Fridge a huge hero after icing Packers
- ^ Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears - October 27th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - November 3rd, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: A Look Back at the NFL's Oldest Rivalry | Bleacher Report
- ^ a b Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears - November 10th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears - November 24th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins - December 2nd, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears - December 8th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Chicago Bears at New York Jets - December 14th, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions - December 22nd, 1985 - Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ Taking a Look in the Bears History Book: Wilber Marshall, Part 1 - Windy City Gridiron
- ^ Marshall's torments not likely to fade - USATODAY.com
- ^ (PDF) 2010 NFL Record and Fact Book. National Football League. p. 383. http://www.nfl.info/download/2010%20NFL%20Record%20and%20Fact%20Book.pdf. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
- ^
- ^
- ^ Bert Bell Award Professional Player of the Year | Maxwell Football Club
[edit] Further reading
[edit] External links
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Formerly the Decatur Staleys and the Chicago Staleys • Founded in 1919 • Based in Chicago, Illinois |
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