Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) with Bears defender Mark Bortz (62) in front gets some yardage in action against the Washington Redskins on December 30, 1984 in Washington. Skins Curtis Jordan (22) is shown. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
DOG COMMENTARY:
Iron Mike Ditka coached the Chicago Bears from 1982 to 1992….winning Super Bowl XX in 1985….but his best coaching year really was the year before winning the NFL Title….yep, in 1984….cuz that is when Da Bears had not sniffed the NFL Division Playoff win since 1963…..some 21 years back when their last NFL Championship.
Chicago wanted a winner….and after Mike Ditka’s 2nd season, he put together a core group of football players….Jim McMahon, Walter Payton, Willie Gault, Jim Covert, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, Steve McMichael, Mike Singletary, Wilbur Marshall, Dave Duerson et al….all who not only wanted to win their 1st Division Playoff game for the past two decades…..for this team was the prelude to winning Super Bowl XX the following year in 1985….. so, after winning their NFC Division Playoff game against the Washington Redskins…..was the point in which Coach Ditka’s team crossed over the threshold toward winning a world championship…..for this was a truly significant Fight to the Finish for the Chicago Bears in 1984.
