Revisiting 5 Classic Moments in Bears Week 8 History

Walter Payton’s Historic Triple-Threat Performance in 1979

In a cold October matchup between the 3-4 Chicago Bears and the 3-4 Minnesota Vikings, Walter Payton delivered a legendary individual performance. The Bears established an early 14-3 lead, initiated by a 54-yard touchdown pass from Payton to Brian Baschnagel—the first of the Hall of Fame running back’s eight career touchdown passes. Chicago extended its lead when quarterback Bob Avellini found Payton for a two-yard touchdown reception.

The Vikings rallied in the second half behind two touchdown passes from Tommy Kramer, seizing a 17-14 lead in the third quarter. Chicago responded with two field goals from kicker Bob Thomas before Payton scored again, this time on a two-yard run. The score gave him a passing, receiving, and rushing touchdown in the same game, making him only the eighth player in NFL history to achieve the feat. To this day, he remains one of just twelve players to do so. Despite Payton’s heroics, the Vikings secured a 30-27 victory when Kramer connected with Rickey Young for a five-yard touchdown with 13 seconds remaining.

Dramatic Fourth-Quarter Comeback Lifts Bears Over Panthers in 2012

The 2012 Chicago Bears season is often remembered for a 7-1 start that devolved into a 10-6 finish, ultimately costing head coach Lovie Smith his job. Before that collapse, however, the 5-1 Bears hosted the 1-5 Carolina Panthers in a memorable contest.

Chicago started strong with a 13-yard touchdown run by Matt Forte in the first quarter. The Panthers’ defense then stiffened, and their offense scored 19 unanswered points, leaving the Bears in a 19-7 hole entering the final frame.

Midway through the fourth quarter, quarterback Jay Cutler connected with tight end Kellen Davis for a 12-yard touchdown. On the very next play from scrimmage, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton targeted receiver Steve Smith, who slipped on his route. Cornerback Tim Jennings capitalized on the mistake, intercepting the pass and returning it for a touchdown to give Chicago a 20-19 lead. Carolina responded with a drive that ended in a 45-yard field goal, reclaiming the lead at 22-20.

With the game on the line, Cutler led a 55-yard drive, connecting with Brandon Marshall four times for 36 yards. The march set up a 41-yard, game-winning field goal for Robbie Gould, who converted as time expired to seal a dramatic 23-22 Bears victory.

Bears Score Franchise-Record 41 First-Half Points in 2006 Blowout

In a performance that defined their dominant 2006 season, the Chicago Bears dismantled the San Francisco 49ers from the opening kickoff. The Bears’ defense forced five turnovers, converting three first-quarter takeaways into 21 points and building a 24-0 lead before the second quarter began.

The onslaught continued as Ricky Manning Jr. recorded an interception that set up a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rex Grossman to tight end Desmond Clark. By the time the first half concluded, Chicago held an insurmountable 41-0 lead.

The 41 points remain a franchise record for the most scored in a first half. The Bears coasted in the second half to a 41-10 victory, improving their undefeated record to 7-0.

Legendary 1985 Bears Defense Dismantles Vikings

In Week 8 of their historic Super Bowl-winning 1985 season, the Chicago Bears’ defense delivered another masterclass against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings entered the game with momentum after a fourth-quarter comeback win the previous week, but that vanished against one of the most formidable defenses in NFL history.

Minnesota quarterbacks Tommy Kramer and Wade Wilson were overwhelmed, combining to go 21-of-46 for 236 yards with no touchdowns and five interceptions, finishing with a dismal 21.9 passer rating. For perspective, a quarterback throwing only incompletions earns a 39.6 rating. The duo was also sacked four times, with two credited to linebacker Otis Wilson and one to defensive tackle William “The Fridge” Perry.

This was one of six games that season in which the 1985 Bears defense forced five or more turnovers. The Vikings were the only team to suffer that fate twice, having also committed five turnovers in a 33-24 loss to Chicago in Week 3.

Mike Brown’s Miraculous Pick-Six Seals Improbable Comeback vs. Browns

In a 2001 game against the Cleveland Browns, the Chicago Bears pulled off one of the most improbable victories in franchise history. The contest began as a defensive battle, with Cleveland’s first score coming on a fumble return touchdown by defensive end Courtney Brown. The Bears didn’t get on the board until rookie running back Anthony Thomas scored from two yards out with 23 seconds left in the first half.

The Browns’ offense, led by quarterback Tim Couch, came alive in the second half, scoring on a 70-yard drive and then again on a 55-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kevin Johnson, building a 21-7 lead.

Trailing by two touchdowns with under two minutes remaining, the Bears’ offense, which had struggled all day, faced a 0.3% win probability. Quarterback Shane Matthews led an efficient drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to Marty Booker, cutting the deficit to 21-14. The Bears then successfully recovered an onside kick with 24 seconds left. Two quick completions set up a last-second, 34-yard Hail Mary from the Cleveland 34-yard line. Matthews’ pass was tipped by a Browns defender but fell into the hands of a diving James Allen for a touchdown as time expired, and the extra point sent the game to overtime.

After the Bears punted on their opening overtime possession, the Browns took over at their own 12-yard line. On second down, Couch fired a quick pass that was batted into the air by defensive end Bryan Robinson. Safety Mike Brown, who had crept toward the line of scrimmage, intercepted the deflected ball and returned it 16 yards for the game-winning touchdown, completing a miraculous comeback. The stunning play prompted commentator Greg Gumbel to exclaim, “Throws, that’s batted in the air, INTERCEPTED, AND THE BEARS ARE GONNA WIN IT! MIKE BROWN HAS DONE IT AGAIN!”

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