The 1985 Chicago Bears: The NFL's Most Dominant Season
Ditka's Bears went 15-1, recorded a hit single, and put together arguably the greatest defensive performance in league history.
The 1985 Chicago Bears are a franchise unto themselves in NFL lore. Their de
fense, anchored by Mike Singletary and Richard Dent, allowed just 198 points over the entire season — one of the lowest totals in the modern era.
Their only regular-season loss came on a Monday Night Football game against the Miami Dolphins that interrupted an undefeated run. Many believe Ditka's decision to keep the starters in during a meaningless late blow-out before that game cost them a perfect season.
We revisit that legendary season, interview surviving members of the championship squad, and assess their legacy in the context of today's analytically driven game. The verdict: they were genuinely ahead of their time.