Super Bowl XX: The Monsters of the Midway Maul the Patriots
On January 26, 1986, inside the raucous Louisiana Superdome, the Chicago Bears delivered one of the most dominant performances in Super Bowl history, crushing the New England Patriots 46–10 in Super Bowl XX. It was more than a victory; it was an annihilation, a full-force blitz of defense, swagger, and unrelenting power football.
With iconic coach Mike Ditka on the sideline, defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan orchestrating chaos, and a once-in-a-generation defense headlined by Richard Dent, Mike Singletary, and Dan Hampton, the Bears didn’t just win the game—they redefined it.
Setting the Stage: Chicago’s Return to Glory
The Chicago Bears entered Super Bowl XX with a 15–1 regular season record, having terrorized opponents all season long. Their famed 46 defense smothered quarterbacks, while quarterback Jim McMahon and running back Walter Payton controlled the tempo on offense. This was a team with swagger, intensity, and personality—from the headband-wearing McMahon to “The Refrigerator” William Perry.
The Patriots, meanwhile, were Cinderella. After finishing 11–5, they became the first team to reach the Super Bowl by winning three road playoff games, including upsets over the Jets, Raiders, and the powerhouse Dolphins.
“The Patriots were a great story,” said Dr. Harold Zimmler, senior fellow at the Super Bowl Historical Society. “But Super Bowl XX wasn’t about stories. It was about strength. And the Bears were stronger—mentally, physically, emotionally. It was an avalanche.”
First Quarter: A False Start for the Underdog
Super Bowl XX kicked off with drama. On New England’s first possession, Bears defensive end Dan Hampton forced a fumble that led to a 3-yard field goal by kicker Tony Franklin. The Patriots were up 3–0, and for one brief moment, it felt like maybe—just maybe—they could hang.
That illusion didn’t last long.
On the Bears’ next series, McMahon led a methodical drive capped off by a field goal of their own. Then the defense took over—completely. Patriots quarterback Tony Eason was sacked repeatedly and failed to complete a single pass. Eason finished the game 0-for-6 before being pulled for backup Steve Grogan.
Second Quarter: Bears Unleashed
The second quarter was a masterclass in defensive dominance and field control. Richard Dent and the Chicago front seven overwhelmed New England’s line. Multiple sacks and forced fumbles set up short fields.
McMahon executed with precision, rushing for a 2-yard touchdown and later connecting with wideout Willie Gault on a deep play-action route that kept the Patriots guessing. Running back Matt Suhey also added a 1-yard plunge into the end zone.
By halftime, the Bears were up 23–3, and the Patriots looked broken.
“You can study every frame of the second quarter, and you won’t find a moment the Patriots looked in control,” said Dr. Evelyn Rowe, defensive analyst with the Super Bowl Historical Society. “That wasn’t just domination—it was a complete systems failure caused by relentless pressure.”
Halftime Show: Upstaged by the Bears
The halftime entertainment featured the theme “Beat of the Future” with performances by Up with People. But the most entertaining part of the show, for many, was watching replays of the Bears’ total destruction during the first half. Fans in the Superdome and at home knew they were witnessing something historic.
Second Half: Fridge, Fireworks, and Finishing the Job
With a 20-point lead, most teams would sit on the ball. But not the 1985 Bears.
Jim McMahon ran in another touchdown early in the third quarter, bringing the score to 30–3. Then came the play that sealed the game in Super Bowl folklore: William “The Refrigerator” Perry, the 325-pound defensive tackle, lined up in the backfield and scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
The crowd erupted. It was the exclamation point on a game already well out of reach.
The Patriots scored their lone touchdown on a Grogan pass to Irving Fryar, but the Bears responded with a defensive touchdown when Henry Waechter sacked Grogan in the end zone for a safety.
Chicago kicker Kevin Butler tacked on a late field goal to make it 46–10—still the largest margin of victory in Bears history and one of the most lopsided Super Bowl wins ever.
Final Score
- Chicago Bears: 46
- New England Patriots: 10
MVP and Standout Performers
Richard Dent, the Bears’ dominant defensive end, was named Super Bowl XX MVP. His performance included:
- 1.5 sacks
- 2 forced fumbles
- Multiple pressures that disrupted every phase of New England’s offense
Dent’s relentless motor and disruption set the tone from the opening snap, validating his reputation as one of the NFL’s premier edge rushers.
Other standout performances:
- Jim McMahon: 12/20 passing, 256 total yards, 2 rushing TDs
- Matt Suhey: 52 yards, 1 TD
- Walter Payton: 61 hard-earned yards (though controversially, no touchdowns)
- “Fridge” Perry: 1 rushing TD, national stardom
- Bears Defense: 7 sacks, 6 forced turnovers, 1 safety, 0 completions allowed from the starting QB
New England’s numbers were grim:
- Tony Eason: 0/6, 3 sacks
- Steve Grogan: 17/30, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Total rushing yards: 7
- Turnovers: 6
The Walter Payton Controversy
Despite the blowout, one of the most enduring storylines after the game was the absence of Walter Payton in the end zone. The Bears legend, who had carried the franchise for over a decade, was used as a decoy during several red-zone possessions.
Instead, Ditka opted to give goal-line carries to Suhey and Perry. Payton was visibly disappointed after the game and refused interviews.
Mike Ditka later called the decision his greatest regret as a coach.
Coaching Brilliance—and Tension
Mike Ditka, a fiery former tight end, and Buddy Ryan, the defensive mastermind, clashed often. But their collaboration in 1985 was undeniable. Ditka gave the offense identity. Ryan made the defense legendary.
The “46 defense” wasn’t just aggressive—it was innovative. Ryan stacked the box, disguised blitzes, and dared quarterbacks to survive the pocket. Few did.
Immediately after the game, Ryan was carried off the field by his defenders in a separate ceremony from Ditka. Within weeks, he’d leave to become head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Strategic Takeaways
- Defense wins championships: Chicago forced six turnovers and allowed just 7 rushing yards.
- Game script matters: The early deficit forced New England to abandon the run, playing into Chicago’s blitz-heavy defense.
- Depth and personality matter: Chicago had stars at every level—and the charisma to match.
Cultural Impact
Super Bowl XX catapulted the Bears from regional heroes to national legends. They were loud, they were tough, and they had personality. Their rap video—“The Super Bowl Shuffle”—had already gone platinum before the game even began, making them the first team to boast a hit song before winning it all.
America couldn’t get enough. McMahon was on every magazine cover. Perry became a pop culture icon. Even defensive players became household names.
“No team in NFL history has blended dominance and celebrity quite like the ’85 Bears,” said Dr. Rowe. “They weren’t just champions. They were cultural giants.”
Broadcast and Records
Super Bowl XX was aired on NBC, with Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen on the call. The broadcast drew an estimated 92 million viewers, breaking records at the time.
Several records were set or tied:
- Largest Super Bowl win at the time (36-point margin)
- Most points scored by an NFC team in a Super Bowl
- Most sacks by a team (7)
Legacy
The 1985 Chicago Bears are widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Their blend of elite defense, efficient offense, and off-field charisma has never quite been replicated.
Mike Ditka became a Chicago icon. Buddy Ryan launched his own coaching tree. Richard Dent was enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Walter Payton, despite not scoring, remains one of the most beloved players of all time.
New England, on the other hand, wouldn’t return to the Super Bowl until 1996. But Super Bowl XX marked their first taste of the big stage—a precursor to future dominance under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Final Word
Super Bowl XX wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. A culmination of brutality, pride, and perfection from a team that played every game like a fistfight and backed it up every step of the way.
The Bears didn't just beat the Patriots—they overwhelmed them, outclassed them, and introduced the country to the terrifying beauty of defensive football at its peak.
It was their only title of the era—but it was so convincing, it still echoes through NFL history.
“If you want to understand what dominance looks like,” said Dr. Zimmler, “watch Super Bowl XX. That wasn’t just a team—it was a force of nature.”