1984 Chicago Bears season
| 1984 Chicago Bears season | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Head coach |
Mike Ditka (3rd season) |
| General manager |
Jerry Vainisi (Since 1983) |
| Owner |
The McCaskey Family (Family control since 1921; Virginia McCaskey since 1983) |
| Home field | Soldier Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–6 |
| Division place | 1st NFC Central |
| Playoff finish |
Won Divisional Playoffs (Redskins) 23–19 Lost NFC Championship Playoffs (49ers) 23–0 |
| Pro Bowlers |
5
|
| AP All-Pros |
7
|
The 1984 Chicago Bears season was their 65th regular season and 15th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 10–6 record, earning them a spot in the NFL playoffs. The Bears went on to lose in the NFC Championship Game 23–0 to the eventual Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers.
The Bears opened their 1984 training camp in a new location, Platteville, Wisconsin as head coach Mike Ditka needed his team to get away from any distractions they might face at home. The team was on the verge of discovering a group of young leaders for the first time, and began to show the dominating defense that would emerge in full the following season, and pushed much farther than anyone expected them to go.
Chicago opened the season by routing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 34–14. In Week Two, they shut out the Denver Broncos 27–0 behind a huge day from star running back Walter Payton. This game featured a famous image from Payton's career: a 50+ yard run down the sideline, led by 2nd-year guard Mark Bortz, an 8th round draft pick that was converted from defensive tackle.
In Week Three, they were without the services of starting quarterback Jim McMahon at Green Bay, reserve quarterback Bob Avellini took the reins. Chicago's offense performed poorly, but still managed a 9–7 victory. This contest marked the first meeting between Mike Ditka and Packers head coach Forrest Gregg. It would be a rivalry that would go down in history as arguably the dirtiest era in Chicago-Green Bay football.
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