The '85 Chicago Bears went 15-1 during the regular season and then steamrolled their way through the playoffs, beating our own New York Giants 21-0 on a brutally cold Chicago day*, and then the Los Angeles Rams 24-0 in the NFC Championship game. The Bears then slaughtered the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX 46-10.
The Bears were one of the five best single season teams of our lifetime and easily had the best defense we've ever seen.** There was not a week spot on that defense and just about the most ferocious pass rush we've ever seen. They played the infamous '46' defense in which six linemen were up front. The object here was to always leave a linemen unblocked so that they could continuously bring pressure on the QB. The system worked because the Bears had great pass rushers and a lockdown secondary that didn't rely on double covering wide receivers. The Bears defense gave up a paltry 12.4 points per game in 1985. It was a moment in time not to be repeated, at least not as well.
The Bears had a solid offense too. Jim McMahon*** was an above average quarterback with good receivers like Willie Gault to throw to. Of course he had hall of fame running back Walter Payton to run the ball. The Bears were actually second in points scored that seaon.
Coach Mike Ditka (106-62 career with the Bears) brought it all together with Buddy Ryan leading the defense. The two personalities often clashed. The Bears had lots of personalities, but well get to that in another post.
*The Giants won Super Bowl XXI the next year
**'85 Bears, '00 Ravens, '86 Giants, '02 Bucs, '04 Patriots
***Not better than the Giants' Phil Simms
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