Bears Trounce Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl

The Chicago Bears completed one of the most dominating NFL seasons in history by trouncing the New England Patriots, 46-10, Sunday in Super Bowl XX at the Superdome in New Orleans.

The Bears concluded an 18-1 season, second only to the Miami Dolphins’ 17-0 mark in 1973, with the most one-sided victory in Super Bowl history--surpassing the Raiders’ 38-9 rout of the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII.

It was Chicago’s first NFL title since 1963, when founder and Coach George Halas led them to a 14-10 victory over the New York Giants in the championship game. Mike Ditka, now coach of the Bears, played tight end on that team.

The Patriots, who upset the New York Jets, Raiders and Miami Dolphins on the road to reach the Super Bowl, scored first on Tony Franklin’s 36-yard field goal just 1:19 into the game--but weren’t competitive after that.

Chicago’s stifling defense threw the Patriots for minus 19 yards of total offense en route to a 23-3 half-time lead. Before it was over, the Bears sacked New England quarterbacks seven times, once for a safety.

The Bears allowed New England just 123 yards, the least in a Super Bowl since Minnesota gained 119 against Pittsburgh in 1975.

Defensive end Jim Dent, who threatened to boycott the game because of a contract dispute, led the charge and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Brash and controversial quarterback Jim McMahon wore a series of his now-famous headbands, completed 12 of 20 passes for 256 yards and scored on two short touchdown runs before leaving the game with a bruised wrist in the third quarter.

Even 300-pound defensive tackle William (The Refrigerator) Perry got into the act, moving to fullback and scoring on a one-yard run.