1985 NFC Championship vs Rams
The defense silenced St. Louis to crown a dynasty in the snow.
On January 5, 1986, Soldier Field hosted the final hurdle before Super Bowl XX glory. In a 24-0 shutout against the St. Louis Rams, the Chicago Bears secured their first NFC Championship since 1963. This victory validated the 'Monsters of the Midway' defense not just as a regular-season force, but as a postseason juggernaut capable of dismantling a playoff opponent without mercy.
- Date
- January 5, 1986
- Location
- Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Final Score
- Bears 24, Rams 0
- Defensive MVP
- Mike Singletary
- Key Defensive Play
- Multiple sacks and interceptions by the '46 Defense'
- Series Context
- NFC Championship Game
Lore & Background
Entering January 1986, the Bears operated as an institution built on fear. The '46 Defense,' coordinated by Buddy Ryan and led by Mike Singletary, had allowed just 20 points across three playoff games. St. Louis quarterback Neil Lomax, typically adept at exploiting coverages, found his options stripped away before he could process them. Richard Dent and Dan Hampton clogged the interior line, while the biting cold added a physical weight to every collision. The result was a tactical suffocation where the Rams' potent offense looked lost against Chicago's singular purpose.
In Their Own Story
The wind cut through wool and leather at Soldier Field, but inside the huddle, the focus was absolute. Singletary paced the defensive line, his intensity radiating outward to keep the Rams' rhythm broken before the snap. When Lomax tried to scramble, the front seven swarmed like a pack, collapsing the pocket instantly. Gary Fencik's interception sailed through the frozen air, sealing the first half with a 17-0 lead. As the clock wound down on the second quarter, the silence from the St. Louis sideline spoke louder than any cheer; under the grey sky, victory was being claimed not by offense, but by an unyielding defense.
Reader's Guide
Game Significance - First NFC Championship title for the Bears since 1963. - Neil Lomax sacked five times and intercepted twice. - Advanced Chicago to Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots. - The '46 Defense allowed only 20 total points across the three preceding playoff games.
Did You Know?
- The 1985 NFC Championship marked the first time the Bears had won an NFC title since 1963.
- St. Louis Rams quarterback Neil Lomax was sacked five times and intercepted twice in the game.
- This victory sent the Bears to their third Super Bowl appearance, where they would defeat the New England Patriots.
- The '46 Defense' allowed only 20 total points across all three playoff games leading up to this championship.