In part two of our Bears’ historic rivalry with the Packers, this article focuses on games in the 70s and 80s. For the most part, the 70s and first half of the 80s were lean years for both franchises. While Green Bay was prolific in the ’60s, winning 5 NFL titles (including the first two Super Bowls, the Bears had eight NFL titles through 1970.
The Packers only had two playoff appearances from 1971-1990, losing divisional round games in 1972 and 1982, after making the playoffs six times in eight seasons from 1960-67. The Bears only had one playoff appearance in the 60s, winning the NFL title in 1963.
The Bears’ lean years began in 1964 and continued through 1976. With the arrival of Head Coack Jack Pardee before the 1975 season and the addition of future Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton in the 1975 draft, the Bears’ fortunes began to change. Making the playoffs in 1977 and 1979. In the 80s, the Bears were playoff-bound six times in seven years from 1984-1990, winning the Super Bowl in 1985.
During this time, the Bears won 23 of the 38 games played against the Packers. They did not play in 1982 as both games were postponed due to the player’s strike.
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1975: Payton’s first game vs the Packers
Walter Payton ran for a touchdown but only carried the ball 14 times for 46 yards. Craig Clemons closed out the Bears scoring with a 76-yard interception return, and the Bears beat the Packers 27-14 at Lambeau Field.
October 30, 1977 Bears win 26-0
Walter Payton scored twice and rushed for a career-high 205 yards (he would rush for 275 yards vs. the Vikings three weeks later). RB Johnny Musso scored in the first quarter, and Bob Thomas added two field goals for the final score of 26-0.
The most lopsided game in the history of the rivalry
After a bizarre ending to the season opener when the Packers scored in overtime after a blocked field goal bounced back in the arms of kicker Chester Marcol, who ran around the left end for a game-winning score, the rematch in Chicago had a far different outcome.
Despite no scoring in the first quarter, the Bears blasted Green Bay 61-7 at Soldier Field. QB Vince Evans was 18-22 for 316 yards and 3 TDs (a perfect QB rating of 158.33). Walter Payton added 130 yards rushing and 11 yards receiving and 3 TDs, in the most lopsided game in the history of the rivalry.
Refrigerator Perry in Prime Time
Coach Mike Ditka introduced William “The Refrigerator” to a National audience on Monday, October 21st when Chicago hosted Green Bay. Perry lined up in the offensive backfield and blocked for Walter Payton on a second-quarter TD run. Later in the quarter, the offense was looking to go ahead, but this time Perry was given the handoff and crashed into the endzone. Otis Wilson sacked QB Jim Zorn for a safety to close out the scoring on a night the Bears won 23-7.
The Instant Replay Game
November 5th, 1989. Chicago was hanging on to a 13-7 lead. Green Bay had the ball on the Bears’ 14-yard line on 4th down. QB Don Majkowski was flushed out of the pocket to his right and hit Sterling Sharp in the endzone for an apparent game-winning score. Majkowski, however, was ruled to have crossed the line of scrimmage, and the score was nullified, giving the Bears the win.
Instant replay was in its infancy in 1989, and the play went to review. After a long delay, the booth official overturned the call on the field, and Green Bay won 14-13. Coach Ditka was irate, as one could imagine and to pour salt in the wound, it was later revealed that this play was NOT subject to review and the Bears should have won the game.
In the last segment of this series, we will discuss the rivalry from the 90s to the present day. Did I miss one of your favorite games from the 70s and 80s in this storied rivalry? If so, please leave a comment below.
Last I checked, the Bears made the playoffs 7 times in the 8 years between 1984-1991. The 1991 team started off well at 9-2, but shrank down the stretch due to injuries, age and well….strength of opponent. The Bears finished with a record of 11-5, which they wouldn’t sniff again for 10yrs, when the 2001 team went 13-3. As an aside….I loved that 2001 team. Anyway, the ‘91 Bears made it to the Wild-Card Round in a home game against the Steve Beuerlein led Cowboys (Johnson had Benched Aikman) who were in the infancy of their dominant run. The Cowboys… Read more »
What year was the 61-7 Bears victory at Soldiers Field. I was at that game but can’t recall if it was 1977 ir 1978?
Been Bear Fan all my life. 73 years young. Please do this, 70’s and 80’s you had a great running game with SWEETNESS! Plus an ok passing game. So right now you are building towards a great passing game, don’t forget you will need a better running game. BEAR DOWN!!! GO BEAR’S GO!!!
Which game was it that the Packers had a “hit list” and Jim McMahon was on it. The Packers had quite a few illegal hits this game. The Bears won the game but it was later found out that the Packers hit list on the Bears actually existed
Miss those days It has been pretty lopsided in favor of GB for at least the last few decades