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Soldier Field bears little resemblance to its appearance four decades ago, marking significant changes since the Chicago Bears last faced off against the Los Angeles Rams in a playoff match. As the teams prepare to clash again on Sunday, Bears fans are hopeful for a repeat of history.
The last notable encounter was during the NFC Championship game in January 1986, a pivotal match that determined which team would advance to the Super Bowl. This historic game featured legendary Bears players, including future Hall of Famer Walter Payton.
The match saw two iconic head coaches, Mike Ditka for the Bears and John Robinson for the Rams, pitted against each other, though the game itself was decisively one-sided.
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Tom Thayer, now a seasoned radio analyst for the Bears, was a key player on the offensive line of the 1985 Super Bowl-winning team.
Reflecting on those days, Thayer remarked, “It’s the most confident group of players I’ve ever been around. It was almost a foregone conclusion that we were going to go out and win the game.”
Thayer’s Super Bowl jersey and trophy are on display at his home. He says this season’s Bears team has been fun to watch.
Hall of Fame defensive tackle Dan Hampton, another ’85 Bear, had a quarterback sack and a forced fumble in that NFC Championship game against the Rams. The Bears won it easily 24 to nothing. He believes the current Bears can win this time around as well.
“They’re not scared of anybody,” Hampton said. “They think they can match up with anyone, anywhere.”
The ’85 Bears were full of colorful characters like “The Fridge,” William Perry, and the punky quarterback Jim McMahon.
Thayer says the current team has plenty of characters as well, led by the “Iceman” quarterback Caleb Williams. Thayer says they have the talent to make this a truly memorable season.
“This ride has been as enjoyable as any sports ride we’ve had in Chicago of any of the sports,” Thayer said.
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Sunday night should be by far the most frigid temperatures the Rams have played in. He says that should play to the Bears advantage. he Rams have not played in below freezing temperatures while the Bears are used to the cold.
No matter the result however, the ’85 Super Bowl Bears say they are rooting for the current team to end the 40-year championship drought.
“We want the Bears to win, and unfortunately they haven’t,” Hampton said. “This is the first time I can say what they’re doing makes us all proud and we can’t wait for this week.”
The Bears were overwhelming favorites coming into the game against the Rams 40 years ago. Oddsmakers however have the Rams as the favorite for Sunday’s game.
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