First Super Bowl Appearance (XX)

Lore & Background

This was the fourth Super Bowl and, to date, the last time in which both teams made their Super Bowl debuts. The Bears entered the game after becoming the second team in NFL history to win 15 regular season games. The Patriots were considered a Cinderella team during the 1985 season, and posted an 11–5 regular season record, but entered the playoffs as a wild card because of tiebreakers; defying the odds, New England posted three road playoff wins to advance to Super Bowl XX.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Superdome was thick with humidity and anticipation, but on the field, it felt like a different planet. Steve Grogan walked out of the tunnel, his helmet reflecting the blinding stadium lights, only to be met by a wall of noise that seemed to shake the very foundations of New Orleans. As the Bears' defense lined up in their terrifying formation, the silence among the Patriots' offensive line was deafening. They knew they were about to face a force of nature. When the ball was snapped, it wasn't a play; it was an interrogation. The pocket collapsed before Grogan could even set his feet, and as the pile of bodies formed over the quarterback, the realization hit: tonight belonged to Chicago.

Reader's Guide

In their victory over the Patriots, the Bears set or tied Super Bowl records for sacks (seven), fewest rushing yards allowed (seven), and margin of victory (36 points). At the time, New England broke the record for the quickest lead in Super Bowl history, with Tony Franklin's 36-yard field goal 1:19 into the first quarter after a Chicago fumble. But the Patriots were eventually held to negative yardage (−19) throughout the entire first half, and finished with just 123 total yards from scrimmage, the second lowest total yards in Super Bowl history. Bears defensive end Richard Dent, who had 1.5 quarterback sacks, forced two fumbles, and blocked a pass, was named the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Did You Know?

• The Bears' 46 defense was revolutionary and led the league in several defensive categories.
• The Patriots were the first team to reach the Super Bowl after winning three road playoff games as a wild card.
• The telecast of the game on NBC was watched by an estimated 92.57 million viewers.

Historical Context and Host City Selection

Super Bowl XX marked a unique milestone as the fourth, and ultimately final, occasion where both competing franchises were making their Super Bowl debut. This decision came after a competitive bidding process involving ten cities, including Miami and Houston, though Miami was rejected due to the deteriorating state of the Orange Bowl and failed local funding efforts. New Orleans secured the hosting rights for the sixth time, having previously hosted four games at Tulane Stadium and two at the Superdome. The city emphasized that missing this opportunity would delay their next potential hosting slot until 1990 due to scheduling conflicts. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the championship game, the pregame ceremonies featured a special tribute honoring every previous Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, adding a layer of historical significance to the proceedings before the Bears and Patriots took the field.

The Chicago Bears' Dominant Season

Entering the game as the NFC champions, the Chicago Bears arrived with an unprecedented level of dominance under head coach Mike Ditka. Their revolutionary '46 defense,' orchestrated by coordinator Buddy Ryan, was the league's most formidable unit, leading in fewest points allowed, total yards surrendered, and rushing yards given up. The defensive line featured future Hall of Famers like Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, and Steve McMichael, while linebacker Mike Singletary earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. On offense, quarterback Jim McMahon posted career highs in passing yards and touchdowns, complementing running back Walter Payton, who was then the NFL's all-time leading rusher. The team also gained significant attention for rookie 'The Refrigerator' Perry, whose versatility as both a defensive tackle and goal-line fullback became a defining characteristic of their championship run.

New England's Cinderella Run

In stark contrast to Chicago's juggernaut status, the New England Patriots entered Super Bowl XX as a classic underdog story. Despite finishing the regular season with an impressive 11-5 record, they qualified for the playoffs only as a wild card entry due to tiebreaker rules. Their journey to the championship game defied all expectations, requiring them to secure three consecutive road playoff victories against formidable opponents. This improbable ascent earned them the moniker of a 'Cinderella team' throughout the 1985 season. However, their offensive struggles became glaringly apparent once they faced Chicago's elite defense. While Tony Franklin kicked a field goal just over a minute into the game to set a record for the quickest lead in Super Bowl history following a Bears fumble, the Patriots were subsequently stifled.

Game Records and Lasting Legacy

The final score of 46-10 stands as one of the most lopsided victories in championship history, setting or tying several enduring Super Bowl records. The Bears recorded seven sacks, allowed only seven rushing yards, and achieved a margin of victory of 36 points. Defensive end Richard Dent was named the game's MVP after forcing two fumbles, blocking a pass, and recording 1.5 sacks, despite not scoring a touchdown himself. While Walter Payton did not score in the game, his presence drew such heavy coverage that it opened up significant opportunities for teammates to succeed. The broadcast on NBC attracted an estimated 92.57 million viewers, cementing the event's place in pop culture. This victory ended a 23-year championship drought for both the Bears franchise and the city of Chicago, marking their first NFL title since 1963 and remaining their only Super Bowl triumph to date.