First Super Bowl Appearance (XX)

Lore & Background

Entering Super Bowl XX as underdogs against the Chicago Bears, who possessed perhaps the most fearsome defense in NFL history, the Patriots were outmatched from the opening whistle. The game is remembered not for a competitive struggle, but for the sheer dominance of Chicago's '46 Defense.' The Patriots' offense was held to just 10 points, and the team suffered one of the most lopsided defeats in Super Bowl history. Despite the loss, reaching this stage validated the franchise's potential and set the foundation for future aspirations.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Superdome was thick with humidity and anticipation, but on the field, it felt like a different planet. Steve Grogan walked out of the tunnel, his helmet reflecting the blinding stadium lights, only to be met by a wall of noise that seemed to shake the very foundations of New Orleans. As the Bears' defense lined up in their terrifying formation, the silence among the Patriots' offensive line was deafening. They knew they were about to face a force of nature. When the ball was snapped, it wasn't a play; it was an interrogation. The pocket collapsed before Grogan could even set his feet, and as the pile of bodies formed over the quarterback, the realization hit: tonight belonged to Chicago.

Reader's Guide

The era leading up to Super Bowl XX defined the Patriots' identity as a resilient, defensive-minded team capable of punching above its weight class. For decades prior, New England had been plagued by inconsistency and coaching instability. The 1985 season shattered that narrative, proving that with strong leadership and a dominant defense, the franchise could compete for the ultimate prize.

This chapter matters deeply to the club's identity because it was the first time the world saw the Patriots as a legitimate contender. While the loss to the Bears was painful, it served as a crucial learning experience. It highlighted the gap between being good and being great, a lesson that would eventually be learned in subsequent decades under different leadership.

The 1985 team is still revered by fans for their spirit and the sheer novelty of their success. They paved the way for future generations, showing that the path to the Super Bowl was possible from Foxborough. The memory of that season remains a touchstone of pride, reminding fans that even in defeat, the franchise had finally arrived on the national stage.

Did You Know?

• This was the first time the Patriots had ever reached the Super Bowl in their 26-year history at that point, having completed their 26th season since founding in 1960.
• The 46-10 final score remains one of the largest margins of victory in Super Bowl history.
• Raymond Berry, who led the team to this historic appearance, previously won NFL Championships (1958, 1959) as a star player for the Baltimore Colts, though he never won a Super Bowl ring.
• Steve Grogan threw for 235 yards but was sacked six times, illustrating the overwhelming pressure from the Bears' defense.

Historical Context and Host City Selection

Super Bowl XX marked a unique milestone as the fourth, and ultimately final, occasion where both competing franchises were making their Super Bowl debut. The event took place on January 26, 1986, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, which had been selected by NFL owners in December 1982 during a meeting in Dallas. This decision came after a competitive bidding process involving ten cities, including Miami and Houston, though Miami was rejected due to the deteriorating state of the Orange Bowl and failed local funding efforts. New Orleans secured the hosting rights for the sixth time, having previously hosted four games at Tulane Stadium and two at the Superdome. The city emphasized that missing this opportunity would delay their next potential hosting slot until 1990 due to scheduling conflicts. To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the championship game, the pregame ceremonies featured a special tribute honoring every previous Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, adding a layer of historical significance to the proceedings before the Bears and Patriots took the field.

The Chicago Bears' Dominant Season

Entering the game as the NFC champions, the Chicago Bears arrived with an unprecedented level of dominance under head coach Mike Ditka. They became only the second team in NFL history to win fifteen regular-season games, finishing with a staggering 15-1 record while outscoring opponents by nearly two points per play, 456 to 198. Their revolutionary '46 defense,' orchestrated by coordinator Buddy Ryan, was the league's most formidable unit, leading in fewest points allowed, total yards surrendered, and rushing yards given up. The defensive line featured future Hall of Famers like Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, and Steve McMichael, while linebacker Mike Singletary earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. On offense, quarterback Jim McMahon posted career highs in passing yards and touchdowns, complementing running back Walter Payton, who was then the NFL's all-time leading rusher. The team also gained significant attention for rookie 'The Refrigerator' Perry, whose versatility as both a defensive tackle and goal-line fullback became a defining characteristic of their championship run.

New England's Cinderella Run

In stark contrast to Chicago's juggernaut status, the New England Patriots entered Super Bowl XX as a classic underdog story. Despite finishing the regular season with an impressive 11-5 record, they qualified for the playoffs only as a wild card entry due to tiebreaker rules. Their journey to the championship game defied all expectations, requiring them to secure three consecutive road playoff victories against formidable opponents. This improbable ascent earned them the moniker of a 'Cinderella team' throughout the 1985 season. However, their offensive struggles became glaringly apparent once they faced Chicago's elite defense. While Tony Franklin kicked a field goal just over a minute into the game to set a record for the quickest lead in Super Bowl history following a Bears fumble, the Patriots were subsequently stifled. They finished with negative yardage in the first half and ended the game with only 123 total yards from scrimmage, marking the second-lowest total in Super Bowl history at that time.

Game Records and Lasting Legacy

The final score of 46-10 stands as one of the most lopsided victories in championship history, setting or tying several enduring Super Bowl records. The Bears recorded seven sacks, allowed only seven rushing yards, and achieved a margin of victory of 36 points. Defensive end Richard Dent was named the game's MVP after forcing two fumbles, blocking a pass, and recording 1.5 sacks, despite not scoring a touchdown himself. While Walter Payton did not score in the game, his presence drew such heavy coverage that it opened up significant opportunities for teammates to succeed. The broadcast on NBC attracted an estimated 92.57 million viewers, cementing the event's place in pop culture. This victory ended a 23-year championship drought for both the Bears franchise and the city of Chicago, marking their first NFL title since 1963 and remaining their only Super Bowl triumph to date.

Gallery