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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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. ua-cam.com/video/wilIF30NLRU/v-deo.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
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).
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
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).
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.
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.
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.
@@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'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 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.
#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.
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.
@@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 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.
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.
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 UA-cam, than any team except the Steelers.
'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.
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.
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
Bears were most dominant defense ever sorry the rules of the game today make any argument mute. Tampa had an awesome defense so did the Ravens but the Bears were a machine. They got unlucky had to face the greatest passing qb in history and he shredded them kept them undefeated. Manning , Brady would not have beat them. Broncos defense is really overrated and that's a joke. If the Patriots had kicked a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down over and over they still would have beat the Broncos with a patch work offensive line. Carolina had no game plan and Cam Newton is overrated and quit on his team. Hard to compare eras but the Bears were elite on a level the Broncos could only dream of.
The qbs the broncos faced were much tougher and the era they play in is much harder. Not saying theyre better but youre really not giving any credit to what they achieved.
I'm sorry, are you of the opinion that that the more recent NFL is 'harder' than it was in the past? In this day and age if you even look at a QB the wrong way the refs are throwing laundry....back then they were damn near decapitating guys and it was just part of the game. Look at the caliber of talent at QB during the early to mid 80's. Some of the absolute best to ever play the game....including the infamous Class of '83.
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.
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
And they would get exposed. No teams these days run 46 defenses because of the use of spread offenses. Why do you think the Miami Dolphins handed them that one loss on a otherwise perfect season? Dan Marino and the quick passing attack. In fact that’s where the West Coast offense with Bill Walsh was born. It was to counter what the Bears did.
(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.
#2? Seriously? The '85 Bears were easily the best defense I've ever seen.
Bears the Greatest and hardest hitting defense ever!
Did you not watch the 86 Bears? Statistically they were even better.
86 Bears played really bad teams though which is why in the playoffs they were bad unlike the 85 defense
You play the schedule you play. Statistically they were better. They lost to a very good WASH team.
The 77 falcons were the best defense
Why the hell did they ask the a "Miss America" winner who the best defense is?
😂😂😂
Because they needed money ha
exactly she probably wasnt even born then
Why not?
OutlawStarkiller Fair point...
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.
It was great but there were definitely weak links in the secondary
yeah now look at the Bears
Thomas Campbell lol
apequake well duh Walter was their only really good player on offense
LC Gamer76 Their offensive line was good (especially Jimbo Covert and Jay Hilgenberg) and Willie Gault was incredible (just wasn't thrown to enough).
I could watch the 85 Bears games over and over the rest of my life and never miss the current NFL.
I'm right there with ya brother!! 4:53
👍🏻
True!!!!
But you are so right I could watch them over and over again The greatest players ever put together they were all nuts
@@RJ-wy6cx I liked the ads they did together.
It's long forgotten, the '85 Bears also had the #1 offense. Best team ever.
Chargers had the best offense in 1985.
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.
So true!
And in '86 they had to go up against the Giants twice! They really didn't get any breaks!
doomsday cowboys should be #2
The 1977 defense was no joke at all.
Knocked Danny White out, then Steve Pelluer and who ever else, Pelluer gave himself up with a slide and Singletary killed him.
Best defense of all time:
#1 85 Bears
#2 70s Steelers
#3 2000 Ravens
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)
@@dumisatonyjohnson8145 please a bunch of bum as player played then shut up
@George Washington 4 and who cares all in season bears did 2 in playoffs
77' Falcons?
#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
I don't care who you are, this defense was #1.
@Hunter Fascher and the bears d gave up 7 in the playoffs
76 steelers
No 7 or 3 because Payton fumbeld
@Jhonny WollMort The Gritz Blitz defense
2000 Ravens >
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.
Yup
I'm an Eagles fan and we had some great defenses but the Chicago bears defense in 1985 was the best all time !
Even though they didn't win the Super Bowl the Philadelphia Eagles 91 defense is pound 4 pound statically the best defense.
Who cares if they weren’t as good the next year, In 85’ they were the best defense ever
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.
The Eagles only really had one top defensive season, and Buddy Ryan wasn’t even the head coach then. The rest of them were just *meh.*
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.....
85 bears should’ve been 1#
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.
And, a, marino only “solved” the bear defense for one half.
@@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
James L. Alright then bears fan. 1973.
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
"I thought he killed him" That Mike Dikta quote makes me laugh every time I hear it
The hit on Detroit's QB. Joe Ferguson total knock out ;)
Best Defense ever.
They were also the 2nd highest scoring team in the NFL that year and led the league in rushing too.
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.
It's sad Defenses won't be like this anymore due to the terrible changes in the NFL.
You mean football period!
Changes needed to be maybe, where have you been living?
Yea 100% agree. NFL is becoming flag football. 1985 Bears epitomized what football should be.
@@jnestor481 , not that bad. I use to love football, but all the money and advertisement has made it much less fun.
@Richard_Head true but the rule changes did play a part wouldn't you agree
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.
yup
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.
Yeah I've seen that Spear Tackle when the play was broken, he would get a life time ban these days and no one would disagree.
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. ua-cam.com/video/wilIF30NLRU/v-deo.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.
'85 bears are by far the best defense ever. Period.
They were so good I couldn't even remember who #1 was
No. 2015 Broncos. Compare opponents in the playoffs.
@@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
@@mr.majestic2667that team didn't even make playoffs.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I remember when the Bears beat Dallas 44-0. Best defense I had ever seen.
They beat poor Danny White
to a pulp... Ditka had to beg Buddy to. Call off the dogs on his mentor.
NUMBER #1 DEFENSE OF ALL TIME - HANDS DOWN!!!
85 bears defense isn't #2 defense correction there #1 defense the best NFL ever had!!!
MrTeatreeoil research the 77 falcons
By the numbers they're the #2 defense ever 2000 ravens number 1 as a bears fan they're the goats BEAR DOWN
MrTeatreeoil lies buddy ryan copied the grits blitz he took it from thw 77 falcons its proven the bears are trash without thier scheme they stole
I think the 2017 Browns are the best defense to ever do it. Much better than the 85 Bears, like it's not even close
MrTeatreeoil Sorry the Steel Curtain was better
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).
This is the best defense the NFL will ever see
As a lifelong bears fan the fact Walter Payton didn't get to score a touchdown in that super bowl is a crime against humanity.
It’s also on record as Ditkas biggest regret…
What a season that was. Great time to be a Bears fan in Chicago.
I respect the Steel Curtain, don't get me wrong. That being said, the '85 Bears deserve to be number one
👌
They were a one ring wonder though.
It's not close. They destroyed offenses. The sad part is the break up right after the SB. Very disappointing.
1976 steelers gave up 138 in 14 games , 77 falcons gave up 129 .
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
The rams and patriots had no quarterback
“But they played against CFL star Dieter Brock! I’M better than Dieter Brock!” - Dave Dameshek
Go Birds!
best team of all time for a single year imo
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).
1985 best team ever no doubt
Jordan Groff 2007 Patriots better
bears best team not just in football history but sports history
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.
The Chicago Bears NFL team 1985 Number 1 team defense ever of all times. Love my 85 Bears. Bear Down.
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.
bahaha Did they just run out of people to interview for this list?
hell ya she knows!!!
Woman can be sport enthusiasts too fellas
She had a better clue than the people who voted them #2
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.
The 1980's is the Golden Era Of The NFL!!!! 😎
I'm a Giants fan and the '85 Bears had the best defense in NFL history and no D is even close. Believe me, I know what I saw in 1985. Holy cow.
I've been a lifelong redskin fan but the 1986 giants were in my opinion the 2nd best defense behind the 85 bears.
1977 falcons defense gave up only 129 points in 14 games .
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.
This is a joke, right?
The 1985 Bears were by far the best defense ever, beyond a doubt.
This is a joke.
@@bretyeilding9215 google the '77 falcons
hot dog water nah.
The steel curtain is #1 the bears lasted abt 1-2 seasons, while the steel curtain was dominant for most of the 70s
@@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.
Hampton is one of the most underrated DL ever. Very few inside guys could pressure like he did.
What they did in the playoffs was a little unreal.
best defense of all time
Steelers 72-79 my young confused brother!!
best defense ever
Best I have ever seen in 55+ years watching football. Totally on a different level. They drive the other teams backwards and then shredded them up.
Buddy Ryan had created 2 of the best defenses in the bears and eagles what a legend
The 1985 bears copied the 1977 Falcons defense strategy
He was also on the staff of the Purple People Eaters defense in Minnesota, and on the Broadway Joe Jets defense. Dude left a mark.
Otis Wilson, Mike Singletary, Wilbur Marshall. What a linebacking corp that was.
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.
And this was after Buddy Ryan, the 46 Defense’s architect, headed to the Eagles.
R.I.P
Sweetness.....
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.
#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.
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.
Anyone who was alive and watched the 85 bears knows!!! THEY ARE THE BEST TO EVER DO IT!! THEY WERE JUST UN-FRICKEN-REAL!!!!
Best defense I saw ever to this day .
I love watching these clips. It was back when football was worth watching.
That defense was the best period!
The Bears went 14-2 the next year and the defense allowed fewer points than in 1985. The defense didn’t “go away in a year.”
Exactly and buddy 46 was great in Philly and Houston
In ‘86 - blown out in 1st round. Good, but never hungry as ‘85. Played in a woefully weak Central, 8 easy wins to pad numbers. One and done.
@@jasonwardy8192 they lost in the second round not the first they were 14-2😂 n u thought they played in the first round
@@jasonwardy8192 that was the 86 bears not 85 dummy n Doug flutie was the qb after coming off the street 4 weeks b4 n buddy Ryan was gone
@@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.
Greatest Defense of all time, period!!!!
The '85 Chicago Bears Defense were assaulting QB's legally! They're by far the Best Defense of All-Time!!
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.
I used to love Wilbert Montgomery, but he was a Philadelphia Eagle. He played less than half a season for Detroit.
Them not being 1 in the list is a freaking tragedy.
the 86 Bears were statistically even better than the 85 Bears...
Ace II Hermit 1984 bears defense set the record for sacks in a season with 72.
Ace II Hermit but they didn’t dominate every game as much as they did in 85. Stats don’t always tell everything about a story
Not in terms of Super Bowl appearances and victories.
True, but 85 won the Super Bowl
86 was the year of the Giants, they had a killer defense that year too.
2 playoff shut outs and they’re only number 2????!!!!!! Defense ever 🐻🏈
That was the best defense ever. Period.
1985 bears best defense
The only team in NFL history to shut out their opponents in the playoffs . They only gave up 10 total points in the playoffs and Superbowl combined .
This is the number one defense of all time. Sorry. This ranking is wrong.
The #1 defense of all time
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.
Oh Buddy Ryan!! Old-school tough as nails coach!!!!
#1 greatest defense ever .....im an eagles fan i know good defenses thanks to jim johnson but thd 85 bears, dam man they were something else
Right on ;)
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 UA-cam, than any team except the Steelers.
The 85 Bears would've been the greatest team ever if we had McMahon at quarterback against Miami. That would've been an offensive shootout.
Nah Marino is too good
McMahon Sucks
Remember a doink off I believe Hampton's helmet to a Dolphin helmet for a TD. That helped plus a back up QB for "Da Bears."
85 Bears defense best ever, RIP Buddy Ryan
The best..no question...#1...GO BEARS...
Patriots' John Hannah said after the super bowl loss: Now I know what its' like to play the Harlem Glob trotters.
Great video with one small typo. Change title from "#2" to "#1". Best ever!
Ken Arthur 2017 browns are #1 85 bears should’ve been #3 after 08 lions
The bears would’ve won the super the next season too if the packers wouldn’t of had that insanely dirty hit on McMahon.
@Jukesville That hit did no favors to McMahon’s career, but he did show up to training camp overnight. McMahon’s dedication was questionable.
'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.
Number 1 without ANY Doubt !!! Thank You for the Great Memories
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.
Definitely props to the Dolphins that year figuring how to stop our defense.
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.
How tf are the 85 bears not number 1?
85 Bears best NFL team of all time! #Go Bears!!
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
That Chicago pride is strong man. The Bears ‘85 defense was a work of art. I am proud to be from Chicago
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
THEY'RE NO#1 DA BEARSSSSSS🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈
Back-to-back shutouts in the playoffs Need I say more Number one defense Chicago Bears
Bears were most dominant defense ever sorry the rules of the game today make any argument mute. Tampa had an awesome defense so did the Ravens but the Bears were a machine. They got unlucky had to face the greatest passing qb in history and he shredded them kept them undefeated. Manning , Brady would not have beat them. Broncos defense is really overrated and that's a joke. If the Patriots had kicked a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down over and over they still would have beat the Broncos with a patch work offensive line. Carolina had no game plan and Cam Newton is overrated and quit on his team. Hard to compare eras but the Bears were elite on a level the Broncos could only dream of.
The qbs the broncos faced were much tougher and the era they play in is much harder. Not saying theyre better but youre really not giving any credit to what they achieved.
I'm sorry, are you of the opinion that that the more recent NFL is 'harder' than it was in the past? In this day and age if you even look at a QB the wrong way the refs are throwing laundry....back then they were damn near decapitating guys and it was just part of the game. Look at the caliber of talent at QB during the early to mid 80's. Some of the absolute best to ever play the game....including the infamous Class of '83.
Bears the Greatest and hardest hitting defense ever!
you are right that cam newton is overrated.
Today's defences are handcuffed against today's offense von Miller would've shined back then with the rules
You put the 85 Bears in the 70s & Miami would have never went undefeated
Back to back shutouts in the playoffs and the Super Bowl was over before it started!!! Best defense ever!!! Hands down no questions asked!!!
Finally, an intelligent comment on here. No question 85 Bears best D ever
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.
Excellent.... Wow ;)
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.
wtf easy the number 1 defense how is it number 2
The amount of Hall Of Famers doesn't rank a defense tho
Albert wyp bears have 4
Ig because they lost a game? And the 70’s Steelers didn’t…
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.
Wow, nice.. you schooled me bro... ;) Go Chicago Bears 🐻.... Let's goooooooooooo.... ;)
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
And the #1 defense was the 1977 Atlanta Falcons. They allowed fewer average touchdowns and THEY invented the defense 85 Chicago used.
back to back shutouts in the playoffs
lol
How tf 85 bears arent the best defense of all time?
Bears the Greatest and hardest hitting defense ever!
Because.... 77 Falcons has a better defense...
longevity
Why they number 2 ???
Should be #1 🐻⬇
Dan Marino torching the Bears should not take anything away from this defense, Marino best passer of all time against greatest defense of all time.
Ryan failure to switch to a nickleback defense at halftime and Ditka failure to get the ball to Payton while McMahon out.
Should have surveyed the quarterbacks of the era. I think they’d vote #1.
85 bears, n always be monsters of the midway
This defense would be ejected in 2018
Bigg B lol!
Out the gate
And they would get exposed.
No teams these days run 46 defenses because of the use of spread offenses. Why do you think the Miami Dolphins handed them that one loss on a otherwise perfect season? Dan Marino and the quick passing attack.
In fact that’s where the West Coast offense with Bill Walsh was born. It was to counter what the Bears did.
#2 my ass! The Steel Curtain could mug WRs all the way down field before the 1978 5-yard chuck rule.
Best defense is the '77 falcons.
Jacob Geeslin its true
(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.
And then they won back-to-back Super Bowls after the rule changes. Quit your crying.
Well, I still say the '86 Bears D was better than the '85 version...so yes, the '85 Bears are #2, the '86 Bears are #1.
85 Bears Defense is still the gold standard to measure defenses to this day.
#1 defense of all time