I'm a Packer fan and this is the best defense I have ever seen. There were no weak links and they were hungry. The offense with Walter, McMahon and Gault scared me much less than their psycho defense.
I'm an old Dallas fan and they had some great defensive teams but the Bears were without a doubt, the greatest ever. It got to the point during the '85 season that the other teams offensive players didn't even want to go out on the field - they really looked terrified - the Bears took no prisoners. No defense was ever close to the '85 Bears - my Cowboy hat is off to them.
Tb Adj That STEEL CURTAIN D was the best in the history of the game Chicago didn’t win back to back championships Pittsburgh did (4 championships in 7 years)
#1 77 falcons #2 2000 ravens #3 steel curtain #4 85 bears This is just facts the bears defense was good but they also had a great offense the 77 falcons had the best statistical defense and only one pro bowler making it pretty impressive at how good they were
Thanks Baltimore, because when the Patriots lose America wins, at least for tonight. Also what is it about Baltimore that gives the Patriots problems that other AFC teams can't do? Also Baltimore should be 4-0 vs Patriots in the playoffs.
@@joecoolberry911 the bears defense was good the whole 80s fool in 1986 they gave up the least amount of points in the league setting the NFL 16 game record.
I've played 35 seasons on the DL from Pop Warner until I was 43 yrs old on nationally ranked 3A teams, I've coached college kids on D that past 12 years,I know Defense....this was the best defense in the history of this game.
This made me tear up a bit. I was a child during this season. Watching them with my dad every week made me fall in love with football. The 85 Bears will always be #1 to me.
I think a lot of people forget that this team held the AFC Champions in the Super Bowl to 26 yards rushing 😳😳!!!! That’s UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! Hands down #1
Me: So why are they not #1? Film: They lost one game. Me: So the Dolphins had the best def ever? Film: No, it's the Steelers. Me: Um........ But they also lost at least a game.....
their reason why is total bullshit because the curtain of steel had lost games during the season, but managed to make a dynasty out of it. my reason the bears are #2 IMO was because that defense was a one hit wonder with a few pieces gone and their coach who made them left after that amazing season, while the steel curtain had a dominant decade with four rings to back it up. so in short of what I said, the reason the '85 bears were #2 wasn't because of losing games, its because of longevity.
@@donalddeluxe6407 really dumb logic. Now you're equating dynasty to INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE SEASON; which is WHAT THIS IS ABOUT!!! Who had the best defense?!!! Majority of people say 85 Bears. You say Steelers because of LONGEVITY. That IS NOT the QUESTION asked. The QUESTION IS "Who had the best defense... PERIOD!" The answer from most people - 85 Bears
Crazy thing nobody talks about is that in 1985, the Bears had 2 defensive starters from the previous season hold out all year. One was Pro Bowl safety Todd Bell (replaced by Dave Duerson) and the other was linebacker Al Harris (replaced by Wilber Marshall).
I bet this Bears defense could have had the best defensive stretch of all time if Buddy Ryan had stayed longer with the Bears because this was really the beginning of the 4-6 defense starting to work, they had mostly every starter back the next couple of seasons, and I bet at least one more Super Bowl trophy would be in Chicago today.
And if McMahon wasn't injured so much. Of course one injury was from that piece of shit Charles Martin on Green Bay who basically assaulted McMahon and should have been thrown out of the league.
Spear tackle?? Not sure what play you saw, but Amanda Davis is talking about the body slam 10 seconds after the play was whistled dead. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wilIF30NLRU.html
They needed good QB play too and 85 was the only year McMahon was consistently healthy and naturally he missed the Dolphins game. He also missed the 84 NFC title game although that was SFs year. But missing so much time in 86 was sad. The cheap shot injury still upsets me. I think the 86 Bears with McMahon had a real shot at beating the 86 Giants.
@@JABoyle3875 Best defense in a season belongs to 1977 falcons they gave up only 129 points in 14 games . Pittsburgh number 2 at 138 points given up in 14 games .
@@mr.majestic2667 the steelers were better back then by far.. it wasn't even a close shot terry Bradshaw wouldn't even be In the hall of fame if it were not for the.....curtain.. so many interceptions lol
Really would have been awesome had the Dolphins beat the Pats in the AFC championship. 15-1. Bears vs Marino and the only team that had beaten them. Die hard Cowboys fan, but that Bears team was the best 1 season team I have ever seen. Im pretty confident they would have gotten revenge on Miami in a big way.
Beat the Giants 21-0. Beat the Rams 24-0. Won the Superbowl 46-10. Enough said. And I'm an Eagles fan and Buddy Ryan made a pretty damn good defense here. But this Bears defense is the GOAT
Does anybody really think that Miss America Katie Stam even has the slightest clue what type of team the "85 Bears were? I mean she wasn't even born yet when they were playing LOL
If Katy Stam thinks the 1985 Chicago Bears defense should be # 1 then she does have far more of a clue of what kind of team the 1985 Chicago Bears were.
Wilber Marshall was a beast in this defense. Probably the most athletic and hardest hitter from this group. His hit on the Lions QB would have had him suspended for 5 games today's game. Probably the most under appreciated LB of the 80s and early 90s. He was a beast on the 91 Redskins team as well. He deserves to be in the HOF along Dent, Singletary, and Hampton.
Yep. If I had to pick one team from one year to beat every all time great team, it would be the 85 Bears. They were ruthless and heartless. People rarely mention the offense, that had a good QB that year in McMahon, a world class sprinter WR in Willie Gault and some guy named Walter Payton.
While I'd put the 70s Steelers just ahead of the Bears as #1 overall, I'd have to agree that for a single year, '85 Bears would edge out the '76 Steelers. Both defenses led the league those years in points allowed and yards allowed, and other stats were fairly similar, but the Bears get the edge for defensive scoring (4 interceptions and 1 fumble returned for TDs plus 3 safeties by the '85 Bears, but the '76 Steelers defense only scored one safety).
The best of all time I swear "what buddie had in his sick mind when he created this defense" congratulations Chicago you own the best defense of all time. We love the shuffli'n crew
Buddy took this defensive scheme from the 77 Falcons. But Buddy may have been the best defensive mind ever. In doing my study of the greatest regular season defenses of all time his name keeps coming up for several teams on my top 51 list.
#1 defense! I have seen so many top 10 best defense and the 85 Bears are # 1 in everyone of them. You could argue that the 84 Bears defense and the 86 Bears defense were as good. 86 Bears aloud few points then the 85 team but the 84 Bears team has the record for most sacks in a seaaon, 72 sacks. One more thing, from 84-88, the Bears defense during these seasons are the most dominant, smashmouth and devastating football of all time.
I wanna see the 85 Bears, in their young and healthy bodies, play in today's game. They would beat the piss out of every team and actually what the Pats failed and that is go undefeated.
It's such a myth that they were only a great defense for one season.......the 1986 Bears actually gave up LESS points than the 85 version....just didn't win the super bowl. But still absolutely phenomenal.
I knew Detroit RB Wilbert Montgomery and asked him once was there anyone he FEARED in his playing career? He thought for a moment and said " I don't know if I FEARED anyone but I certainly went out of my way to know where Wilbur Marshall was at all times because if a play was called to his side of the field? You just prayed someone would get to you before he did".... Now THAT'S a legacy!!
I'm sure seeing that hit on Ferguson early in that Detroit game really made the Lions think twice about tangling with Marshall. I think Johnny Morris calling the game even said that might have been a penalty, and this is back in 1985. That was a really bad hit.
@@TheSands83 Yes, I’m aware. That was my response to the previous comment. Other than ‘85, Bears were blown out in the playoffs in ‘84, ‘86, ‘87, and ‘88 with three of those being at home. They put it all together in 1985, but are the poster child for one and done. Once Buddy left, Ditka could never keep them hungry in January. Some things weren’t made to last.
I am an old lifelong Dolphins' fan going back to '70 when Shula showed up. I have heard accounts that on the Bears sideline when Marino was lighting them up that Ditka was screaming at Buddy "Why the F do you have a LB covering #89? (Nat Moore in the slot)...and Buddy replied "because that is who we had covering him in practice"...to which Ditka yelled, "Well put a F'n DB on him". I remember the game like it was yesterday...to my eyes one of the big reasons we won taht game was our Center Dwight Stephens...he Dominated every bears player they put over him, including the fridge and Dan Hampton.
I remember that game vividly as well..the Dolphins had the PERFECT game plan and execution and I believe the Bears were smugly buying into their own press about their invincibility and were caught off guard. I know they were DYING to face them again in the playoffs but were beaten by the Pats. Shame we never got to see what that rematch would have looked like. But many on that defense credit Marino and the Dolphins with waking them up because they stepped up their game after that loss…
DStevens had an awesome game. Maybe the most impressive game I can recall from a center. His rolling out to block for a rolled out Marino was a thing of beauty.
84 Bears were great too. Had more sacks and All Pro's SS Todd Bell and All Pro LB 6 foot 6 Al Harris. You would think NFL films would do their homework.
It’s funny, the 1976 Steelers are always being touted as the number one defense ever, because the Bears lost 1 game to Miami. It’s funny because the Steelers were 1 win and 4 losses over 5 games to start their 1976 season. So how is that, “the best”?
First game of the season Bears gave up 20 or 23 points to Tampa in the first half. Bears starting playing the second half and won the game. At Miami the Bears had their backup QB in because McMan was injured.
hemmingway bg ...they were always a second half team, especially the defense. No matter what happened in the first half, we could always count on them being brutal in the second half. And that was the beauty of this defense, they almost lulled teams to sleep in the first half creating a false sense of being able to actually win the game, and the flood gates would open, and they would experience the feeding frenzy and realize their mistake. It was just too late to do anything about it, the Bears had figured out their offenses in the first half, and shut it down in the second half.
@@TheOtteroo the bears got shredded by the only real offense they faced it’s a clear formula to beat the 46. The Steelers could get pressure with just 4 people and cover man the man. The bears had to send 6 or more if you have a quarterback that can get rid of the ball quick and decent receivers you’ll shread that defense
I wouldn't call losing to Miami 38-24 a shredding. Everybody likes to forget the Bears were #1 defense for a decade and to this day, they still hold records that will probably never be beaten. nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-1980s-chicago-bears-defensive.html
@@TheOtteroo but they never really faced a truly elite offense they faced running teams. Unless you’re maybe the 90s Cowboys your not going to lineup and run the ball on a 8 man front. The 07 patriots or many of the 2010 patriots teams would shred this defense because they need there entire front 7 to get any heat on the quarterback the Steelers of the 70s were better as well as the 2013 Seahawks. They could get pressure with 4 and cover.
'85 Bears were the greatest defense ever, there has never been a more dominating pass rush than theirs. had Buddy Ryan stayed there, they would have gone 16-0 no problem.
the 1985 bears are hands down the greatest football team to ever play, 72 dolphins were elite and arguably also one of the best teams to play, but in my personal opinion i think the 85 bears take it
Ladies n’gentleman ,the monsters of midway show ,simply awesone !!!!! In my opinión the Best of all Time AND I tell you I’m an Steelers fan who have seen the steel courtain mash up many ofenses , congratulations Chicago bears you have an special place in Cantón Ohio but also in our minds for those who have seen the monsters of midway!!!! Hugs from Mexico
As for why the 85 Bears are still being talked about from a historical perspective in terms of championships, the Bears’ last NFL Championship win (pre-Super Bowl) was in 1963, which was also the last time the City of Chicago won a major sports championship. Jordan’s Bulls were six years away from winning their first NBA Finals. The Cubs and White Sox haven’t won the World Series since the late 1910s. The Blackhawks’ last Stanley Cup win was in 1961.
The 85 Bears were the greatest defense of all time. The reason is simple- they had the best defensive line of all time. That line would get pressure up the middle more often than any line in the NFL before or since. Edge rushers are fine and dandy, but the 85 Bears achieved a level of disruption that is unparalleled by going straight over center. You can't execute an offense when you can't even wait for the pocket to collapse BECAUSE THERE IS NO DAMN POCKET.
Their secret was putting great pressure on the QB but they used lots of different blitzes to do it. This is no where near the greatest line of all time.
@@bryanjones4444 Is it the greatest defense of all time? You tell me one defense that caused more chaos and disruption than this one. It's that center push. Carolina had it going in the early 2000s, but it turns out two of their guys were juiced. After their suspensions the line was never as good.
@@DV1287 uh, no. This is clearly about the best defensive team ever, not the "best span of good defensive teams." The best football defense of all time, without any question whatsoever, was the '85 bears. Also the '86 bears were still even better than any steelers version. Case closed, end of story, period.
@@Dave-lr2wo uh no. Apparently how many years these defenses played great did matter because of who number one is, you need an 8 year span to describe how great the steelers defense was, not 3 seasons like the bears were from 84-86. The 76 steelers defense that lost in the afc championship game is actually better than any defense ever. 28 points allowed during the final 7 games of the season is all anyone needs to know., everyone forgets that because they don't have a ring to show for it.
It amazes me how people think the 46 was a gimic defense. Oh and the Eagles of the late 80's and early ninety's were pretty good too. They also ran the 46. The Bears set the record for sacks in 84. Set the record for points allowed in 86. I want even mention the 85 year, when they gave up 10 point throughout the playoffs. This includes recording back to back shut outs. The defense works. The west coast offense has been exposed time and time again, but teams continue to run it. With any system you have to believe in it. They say it is a passing league. I maintain that a QB can't throw if he is on the ground. Thumbs down to all of these zone defenses. Play man on the outside and get after the QB. GO 84,85, and 86 bears! Buddy Ryan didn't coach like he was scared.
The fact that if I ask a person if they have ever heard of the best defense in the NFL ever and they always respond 85 Bears without knowing football means they have to be #1
Imagine if they had had LT with them as well...I think opposing QBs would've refused to play against them. I love Wilbur and Otis...they were the epitome of a tough LB
THE REASON WHY I SAID THE 85 BEARS WAS THE BEST EVER...NOT ONLY THROUGH REGULAR SEASON BUT IN THE PLAYOFFS THEY SHOWED THEY WASN'T A FLUKE..2 SHUTOUTS AND ONLY 10 POINTS IN THE SUPER BOWL...END OF STORY!!!!
There regular season was outstanding but as far as regular seasons are concerned there have been at least 40 better than the 85 Bears. Including the 86 Bears the 05 Bears, the 18 Bears and the 63 Bears. The Bears have more teams on the top 51 list, coming soon to RU-vid, than any team except the Steelers.
Great memories of the greatest season of football as far as I am concerned. Some may argue with including the opinion of Miss America, but at least she knew who the greatest defense of all time was. That makes her more knowledgeable than whoever labeled this video.
This was before everyone figured out the 46 defense. Thanks to the Dolphins for showing everyone how to beat them. And Buddy Ryan feud vs Ditka helped out a lot.
They were the best of all time. $ and ego split up the greatest show on earth in the NFL. Their only loss was from having to much of a good time the night before.
(A) The Steel Curtain had years as the #1 scoring defense both before the rule change (1976) and after (1978). They adjusted successfully. The decline after that wasn't as much because of the rules change as it was they were just getting old. (B) Every other team in the league could do the same thing. It's not so much what you're allowed to do, it's who can do it the best.
Some of the greatest defenses - The Steelers in the 1970s. Probably their best defense was the 1976 season even though they didn't win the Super Bowl that season. This Bears team. The Ravens in 2000.
