[1L]

>>Although Mike Ditka was the head coach, many thought it was Ryan’s coaching of the defense that really made the 1985 Bears one of the best teams in NFL history.

There WERE NOT one of the best teams in NFL history. The 1985 NFL was one of the weakest years in history. The Bears were literally the only good team. With basically the same team for several years, the Bears didn’t win another playoff game until 1988, and in 1985 they won 3 of the 5 total they won in the decade! The Cowboys and 49ers both had 3 playoff wins by the end of 1981. Hell, the Cowboys teams that never got to the Super Bowls in the early 1980s were better than the Bears team that did and won.

It would be accurate to say the Bears had a stout defense, giving up only 12 points per game, but even that is a bit misleading. Only 5 of those wins were over teams with a better than .500 record. The steel curtain or Doomsday probably would have had 6 or 7 shutouts. The Bears had 2 and gave up 29 and 24 to Tampa and Minnesota respectively. Plus, the ‘86 Bears, WITHOUT RYAN, gave up fewer points per game than the ‘85 one.

Out of all SB winners, I’d put this Bears team in the upper part of the lower half. Right around the middle, give or take 3 teams. McMahon was one of the 10 worst QBs to win the SB. He had some talent but couldn’t stay healthy, didn’t work very hard, and was a bit of a crap-head.

[BlueStateRightist]

Maybe true. But those Bears had the best football player of all time in their backfield. And I’m not talking about the Fridge.

[Alberta's Child]

I'm not a Bears fan, but I think you don't give that team enough credit. Maybe their 15-1 record is a reflection of a weak schedule, but there's no getting around a few other things that really made that a dominant team. For one thing, they outscored their opponents 91-10 in the post-season -- including two shutouts. How often do teams shut out opponents in the playoffs in the NFL even once?

Secondly, that roster was stacked with nine Pro Bowlers, several players who were among the best of their era at their positions, and may end up with a half-dozen players in the Hall of Fame.

[Tallguy]

The 1991 Eagles defense was pretty darned good, too. Ryan had another lopsided team with all the talent on the Defensive side of the roster. Randall Cunningham — another talented but (at the time) undisciplined QB.

The Eagles never won a playoff game under Ryan. They were a rollercoaster week to week. Alternately playing the tough teams tough, and the the weak teams weak. I loved the bluster, but Ryan was not a head coach.

[sjm_888]

Disagree with your assessment. The SB winning 85 Bears are listed as the 6th most intimidating here The 50 Most Intimidating Teams in NFL History

[sarge83]

Dan Marino and the Dolphins shredded Buddy’s defense. My friend made a crap load of money on that game. Had the Dolphins made the Super Bowl they had a better chance to beat the Bears than the Pats.

[Borges]

You do know that team produced a raft of Hall of Famers right?