Super Bowl XX
The Monsters of the Midway delivered a historic defensive masterclass to claim their second title.
Super Bowl XX wasn't just a game; it was the coronation of the Chicago Bears' legendary 1985 season, a contest that instantly etched the franchise into NFL immortality. On January 26, 1986, under the humid lights of the New Orleans Superdome, the Bears didn't merely defeat the New England Patriots—they dismantled them. This was a matchup defined by an avalanche of defensive dominance so total it has rarely been approached, let alone matched, in the history of the sport.
- Date
- January 26, 1986
- Location
- Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
- Final Score
- Chicago Bears 46, New England Patriots 10
- MVP
- William 'The Refrigerator' Perry (Defensive Tackle)
- Key Defensive Stat
- Bears recorded 3 sacks and forced multiple turnovers
- Season Record
- 15-1
Lore & Background
Super Bowl XX served as the stage where the 'Monsters of the Midway' finally proved their immortality. While quarterback Jim McMahon and running back Walter Payton provided just enough offensive spark to keep the game out of reach, it was the defensive line's relentless, suffocating pressure that shattered the Patriots' spirit before halftime. The cultural zeitgeist reached its peak with the inclusion of 300-pound defensive tackle William 'The Refrigerator' Perry as a goal-line weapon. His transformation from a defensive jumbo to an offensive icon didn't just add a layer of novelty; it turned him into a national phenomenon overnight, symbolizing the sheer unpredictability and depth of that squad.
In Their Own Story
Inside the Superdome, the air hung heavy with humidity and electric anticipation, but on the field, the Chicago Bears moved with a cold, mechanical precision. As Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan scrambled for his life beneath a swirling vortex of blue and orange jerseys, the roar of the crowd seemed to fade into a singular, terrifying rhythm: the crunch of pads and the thunderous thud of tackles. By the fourth quarter, with the game already decided by an insurmountable margin, the stadium didn't just erupt for points; it roared as history was written in real-time. The Monsters had hunted their prey, and the Lombardi Trophy was theirs to claim.
Reader's Guide
Super Bowl XX capped a near-flawless regular season where the 15-1 Bears faced the surging New England Patriots, who had ridden an underdog wave through the playoffs. The game is forever remembered for the sheer, overwhelming force of the Chicago defense, which held the Patriots to a single touchdown, recorded three sacks, and forced a barrage of turnovers that suffocated any hope of a comeback.
The defining cultural moment arrived when defensive tackle William 'The Refrigerator' Perry was inserted into the offense in goal-line situations. His successful two-yard touchdown run became instant legend, a symbol of the 1985 squad's limitless versatility and confidence. The final score, 46-10, stands as one of the most lopsided victories in Super Bowl history.
More than just a win, this match showcased a defensive philosophy that overwhelmed the opposition from the opening whistle to the final second. By controlling the game without relying on a high-powered offense, the Bears redefined what a championship team could look like, leaving an indelible mark on football culture that resonates decades later.
Did You Know?
- William 'The Refrigerator' Perry is one of only two defensive players in Super Bowl history to score a rushing touchdown.
- The Bears' defense held the Patriots to just 10 points, which remains one of the lowest scores ever allowed by a team in a Super Bowl.
- Quarterback Jim McMahon wore a headband that became iconic, partly due to his injury history and partly as a style statement.
- This was the first Super Bowl played in January under the NFL's new playoff format introduced in 1978.