Gridiron Time Machine: 5 Bears Week 14 Flashbacks

1.) 1980, Bears vs. Packers: Walter Payton and the Chicago Bears offense account for 8 touchdowns in 61-7 blowout, most points surrendered by the Packers all time.

It’s the second biggest blowout in Packers history, and most points they have ever surrendered.

The 1980 season version of the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers rivalry started off oddly. The teams’ squared off in week 1, a largely defensive battle that was ultimately won in overtime by the Packers after a game winning field goal attempt was blocked, and then scooped up for a touchdown by Packers kicker Chester Marcol.

Flash forward to week 14, and the season for both teams have not gone they way that either team had planned. The Packers came into Soldier Field hoping to keep their dying playoff chances alive sitting at 5-7-1. The Bears were just trying to build momentum heading into the ‘81 season sitting at 5-8.

At the very least, for one week, the Bears were the best team in the league, and the Packers were the victims of it.

Each team played a scoreless 1st quarter, it wasn’t until the 2nd quarter that the Bears exploded, which included 4 straight touchdown drives. Walter Payton was the benefactor of two of those touchdowns, as Payton would go on to rush for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day.

Not to be outdone, Bears quarterback Vince Evans had a career day, completing 18 of 22 passes for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns, all for a flawless 158.3 passer rating.

It was a high water mark for a team on the cusp of it’s mid 80’s to early 90’s run of dominance, the most lopsided beating in the Bears vs. Packers rivalry.

Here’s to hoping this Sunday it’s replicated in our favor.

2.) 1993, Bears vs. Packer: Bears defense forces 4 Brett Favre turnovers, scored 3 touchdowns to move into 3 way tie for NFC Central lead.

The 1993 season was a landmark for change, Mike Ditka, Bears long time head coach was fired during the previous off-season, despite only posting 3 losing seasons in his 11 year run with the Bears, the 1992 season, however, being the worst aside from the strike shortened 1982 season in a season that saw the Bears win just 5 games.

In comes Dave Wannstedt to take over the reins from Ditka. The former Cowboys defensive coordinator had done a good job up to this point in his freshman year, piloting the Chicago Bears to a 6-5 record heading into week 14.

In come the Mike Holmgren and Brett Favre Green Bay Packers who at 7-4 were looking to try and separate themselves in a crowded NFC Central race. The tandem had surprisingly finished 2nd in the Central in 1992, giving Packers fans hopes that the post Lombardi dark days may be coming to and end.

But the Monsters of the Midway said “Hold off on those thoughts, at least for 1 more week.”

Despite being...