Football Daily

Monday Night Football, December 2, 1985, was a big evening for the Chicago Bears of Mike Ditka and Don Shula's Miami Dolphins. The Bears (12-0) were on a memorable undefeated championship season run. In their way was Miami sitting at 8-4, and Dolphins fans past and present were thinking that they had to disrupt this Bears' unbeaten streak to help preserve the 1972 Dolphin's legacy of being the only perfect Title team in the modern NFL. Many of the '72 Phins players were in the Orange Bowl, standing on the sidelines to help urge the current Miami team. The Bears had a stingy defense and had only allowed 3 points combined in their three previous games. Mike Singletary, William Refridgerator Perry, and Dan Hampton starred on the Bear's D that coordinator Buddy Ryan spearheaded. The Chicago offense was just as potent with Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, and Willie Gault. Miami had its stars, though, with Dan Marino, Mark Clayton, and Mark Duper, who led an aerial assault on the best of teams. Dan the Man helped Miami surge to a surprisingly big lead and coast to a 38-24 victory, giving the Bears their only blemish. Marino was 14-for-27 for 270 yards with three touchdowns but tossed one pick. Duper caught 107 yards of that total. The 1972 Dolphins later celebrated with champagne as the youngsters defended their honor. NFL.com declares that this is the 29th Greatest Pro Football Game ever.