Greetings, Bears fans. With this being the 30th anniversary of the Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears of 1985, here at Bear Goggles On we’ll be revisiting the regular season and playoff games — including re-watching them when possible — and posting information about a game each Throwback Thursday as we move closer to the 2015 regular season.
Sometimes, one good quarter is all you need, and the rest of the game is just a formality. The Washington Redskins found that out in this game, as the second quarter turned into a nightmare for the visiting Redskins. The only monster that didn’t torment the ‘Skins on this September 29th, 1985 match-up was Daniel Snyder.
More from Bears History
- 4 former Chicago Bears headline 2024 Hall of Fame candidates
- Chicago Bears legend Matt Forte celebrates 37th birthday
- Chicago Bears Flashback: Nick Foles fuels 4th quarter comeback
- The Chicago Bears hold this NFL record against Washington
- The six best fantasy football players to play for the Chicago Bears
Washington was a talented team, one that won the Super Bowl in 1982 and lost it in 1983 after going 14-2. They were one year removed from winning the NFC East, before falling to the Bears in the divisional round of the 1984 playoffs. They still featured a defense that would finish third in yards allowed (first against the pass) in 1985 and 11th in points allowed, according to Pro Football Reference.
The offense featured Joe Theismann and John Riggins and new back George Rogers, along with wide receivers Art Monk and Gary Clark.
It was a team that, even as they came into Soldier Field at 1-2, was dangerous, and more than capable of beating the Bears if things broke their way.
The first quarter looked like that might be the case, as the Bears offense was stagnant and the run defense looked weak. The Redskins – who racked up almost 200 rushing yards in this game – notched the game’s first touchdown on a Riggins 7-yard run, and was inside the Bears’ 20 when the gun sounded to end the first quarter.
The Bears first quarter offense? Almost as many first downs (0) and turnovers (1) as yards (2). Not exactly a great start.
The highlight for the Redskins in the second quarter came 8 seconds in, when Mark Moseley kicked a field goal to push the lead to 10-0.
It got ugly after that.
Willie Gault, flashing the elite speed that was really the only thing he offered the Bears, returned the following kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Jeff Hayes, who kicked off for the Redskins and doubled as the punter, was injured on the play, something that came back to haunt Washington just moments later.
The Bears defense, finally aware the game had started, forced a three-and-out, highlighted by Tyrone Keys’ sack of Theismann.
Theismann, then, went in to punt for Washington; his kick went one yard, setting the Bears up at the Washington 14. Quarterback Jim McMahon hit Dennis McKinnon for a touchdown on the next play. Bears, 14-10.
Defensive tackle Richard Dent stripped Theismann on the next Washington possession, with Dan Hampton recovering the fumble on the Washington 22.
McMahon later hit tight end Emery Moorehead for a 10-yard-touchdown.
Bears, 21-10. With plenty of time left.
The defense forced another three and out, and this time backup Redskins quarterback Jay Schroeder punted the ball for Washington – all the way out to the ‘Skins 36 yard line.
This was the drive where the fun hit its zenith.
With a third and goal at the 13, McMahon handed off to Payton, who ran right, rolled back to the middle of the field and lobbed a perfect pass to the back left corner of the end zone, hitting a stumbling McMahon for the score. Bears, 28-10.
Kevin Butler would tack on a field goal after the defense stuffed Washington on a fourth down in Bears’ territory. Heading into halftime, the Bears led the Redskins 31-10.
The second half of the game hardly mattered. The defense gave up a few drives, but no points, with the stops highlighted by Mike Richardson’s 90-yard interception return that set up a one-yard run by Dennis Gentry.
The final score – Bears, 45-10 – belied the fact that the offense struggled to gain yardage against the ‘Skins defense.
The offense had only 105 yards in the first half, only 250 yards total. Payton, who threw and caught a touchdown, ran for only six yards on seven carries, and the team ran for less than 100 yards. The Washington game marked the third straight game that Payton ran for less than 100 yards. McMahon, who threw for three touchdowns and caught a fourth, was the Bears leading rusher.
But just as the offense rescued the defense in week 3 against the Vikings, the defense saved the offense, setting up two short fields with Richardson’s interception, Dent’s strip-sack and forcing a handful of three-and-outs to set up other short fields. Even though the defense struggled to stop the run, they still forced three turnovers, lodged four sacks and shut the Redskins out for almost three straight quarters.
It was complimentary football, as the defense and special teams set up the offense, and the offense didn’t screw it up. Most teams would be lucky to play one or two games like this a year.
The scary part? 45 points scored, and this wasn’t close to as good as the Bears offense could play.
Even scarier? 10 points allowed, three turnovers, four sacks? Not even close to as good as the defense could play.
They knew it too. In the weeks following the game, so would we.
What do you think Bears fans? Despite the score, was the weak yardage showing out of the offense and the struggles of the Bears’ run defense cause for concern? Or was the complimentary play between the three units a sign of better things to come later in the season?
Next: How Does Bears' WR Marquess Wilson Fit in the Offense?