Bears-Rams playoff game: Looking back at '85 Bears' victory over Rams on way to Super Bowl

Soldier Field looks quite a bit different now than it did 40 years ago. That was the last time the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams met in the playoffs, and Bears fans are hoping for a similar result on Sunday.

It was the NFC Championship game, with the winner going to the Super Bowl in January 1986. The game featured legendary Bears, including future hall of famers like Walter Payton.

It matched two legendary head coaches in Mike Ditka and the Rams' John Robinson, but the game was never close.

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Tom Thayer is the longtime radio analyst for the Bears and played on the offensive line for the Super Bowl champion 1985 team.

"It's the most confident group of players I've ever been around," Thayer said. "It was almost a forgone conclusion we were gonna go out and win the game."

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Thayer's Super Bowl jersey and trophy are on display at his home. He says this season's Bears team has been fun to watch.

Hall of Fame defensive tackle Dan Hampton, another '85 Bear, had a quarterback sack and a forced fumble in that NFC Championship game against the Rams. The Bears won it easily 24 to nothing. He believes the current Bears can win this time around as well.

"They're not scared of anybody," Hampton said. "They think they can match up with anyone, anywhere."

The '85 Bears were full of colorful characters like "The Fridge," William Perry, and the punky quarterback Jim McMahon.

Thayer says the current team has plenty of characters as well, led by the "Iceman" quarterback Caleb Williams. Thayer says they have the talent to make this a truly memorable season.

"This ride has been as enjoyable as any sports ride we've had in Chicago of any of the sports," Thayer said.

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Sunday night should be by far the most frigid temperatures the Rams have played in. He says that should play to the Bears advantage. he Rams have not played in below freezing temperatures while the Bears are used to the cold.

No matter the result however, the '85 Super Bowl Bears say they are rooting for the current team to end the 40-year championship drought.

"We want the Bears to win, and unfortunately they haven't," Hampton said. "This is the first time I can say what they're doing makes us all proud and we can't wait for this week."

The Bears were overwhelming favorites coming into the game against the Rams 40 years ago. Oddsmakers however have the Rams as the favorite for Sunday's game.

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