Today in Sports History: 1/26 | Chicago Bears Win Super Bowl XX

Today in sports history (1986), the Chicago Bears dominated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The Bears won their first and only Super Bowl, 46-10. Although the Bears have not won another Super Bowl, they have been to one more. They lost to the Indianapolis Colts in 2006.

This 1985 Chicago Bears team was noted for their tenacious defense, as they are often called one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan formed one of the best coaching duos ever. Players including Mike Singletary, Walter Payton and Richard Dent were stars for the Bears. The Patriots also featured Hall of Famers in John Hannah and Andre Tippet.

1985 Chicago Bears Dominate Super Bowl XX

This game was the fourth and overall last time that both teams playing were making their Super Bowl debut. The New England Patriots entered the game, going on a Cinderella run, winning three straight road playoff games. On the second play of the game, the Patriots returned a Payton fumble back to the 19-yard line. They eventually settled for a field goal. Chicago immediately answered with a 43-yard pass from Jim McMahon to Willie Gault to set up a field goal. New England’s first positive yardage play came on the last play of the first quarter.

The second quarter was similar to the first, as Chicago once again limited the Patriots offense. Chicago scored one touchdown in the quarter, a McMahon rush. They added another field goal to go into halftime, up 23-3. The Bears held the Patriots to -19 first-half yards, including only two pass completions and one first down.

The third quarter opened with New England matching their first down total on their first drive. The drive eventually stalled and the Patriots were forced to punt. McMahon and Payton led the Bears down the field, which culminated in a McMahon one-yard touchdown run. The drive went 96 yards, a Super Bowl record. On the Patriots’ subsequent drive, a pass was intercepted by Chicago and returned for a touchdown to push the score to 37-3. On the Bears’ next drive, they found themselves with one yard to go to score. Rookie defensive lineman William Perry came into the game and plowed in a one-yard touchdown to put the Bears up 44-3.

An Irving Fryar eight-yard touchdown reception gave the Patriots their first points since the opening drive of the game. The Bears added on another forced fumble, interception and safety to win the game, 46-10.

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