The 1985 NFC Championship

Lore & Background

The narrative of this game is one of defensive dominance and emotional release for the Bears. The Rams knew they could not out-muscle Chicago in a physical war; however, the Bears' legendary defense stifled Los Angeles at every turn, shutting down quarterback Dieter Brock and the elusive running style of Eric Dickerson. The shutout victory was a statement that the Bears' '46 defense' was an unstoppable force, proving that Chicago could dominate on the national stage and earn their trip to Super Bowl XX.

In Their Own Story

The air in Anaheim Stadium was crisp, carrying the weight of expectation as the sun began to dip behind the stadium lights. On the sidelines, John Robinson watched with a calm intensity he rarely showed, knowing his team had prepared for this specific moment. As Eric Dickerson took the snap, the roar of the crowd seemed to vanish into the focused silence of execution. Every step, every block, and every catch felt like a calculated move in a chess game where the Rams held all the winning pieces. When the final whistle blew on a 24-0 scoreline, the realization washed over the stadium: the Bears' dynasty had been halted by the sheer brilliance of Los Angeles.

Reader's Guide

The occasion was the 1985 NFC Championship Game, where the Rams hosted the heavily favored Chicago Bears. The game is remembered for its one-sided nature; the Rams dominated from the opening kickoff, exploiting the Bears' defense with a balanced attack that resulted in a shutout victory. The Rams' defense also played a crucial role, containing the Bears' rushing game and forcing turnovers at key moments. This performance was historic because it ended the Bears' perfect season run in the regular season and their aura of invincibility. It propelled the Rams to Super Bowl XX, where they would face the Miami Dolphins. Ultimately, this match is celebrated as a masterpiece of coaching and execution by John Robinson's squad. It remains one of the most significant upsets in NFC Championship history, showcasing that speed and precision could overcome brute force. The 24-0 scoreline stands as a testament to the Rams' ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.

Did You Know?

• This was the Bears' first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history (they had not been to the Super Bowl since their NFL Championship win in 1963, which predated the Super Bowl era).
• The Bears entered the game having won their previous 12 games, but they had lost at home to the Miami Dolphins in Week 13, so they were not undefeated at home all season.
• Eric Dickerson did not score any touchdowns in this game; the Rams were shut out 24-0.
• The shutout victory was the first time the Bears had blanked a playoff opponent en route to a Super Bowl championship.

Franchise Origins and Relocation

The Los Angeles Rams trace their roots back to 1936 as the Cleveland Rams within a short-lived league before joining the NFL in 1937. A pivotal moment occurred on January 12, 1946, when owner Dan Reeves threatened to abandon professional football entirely unless he could relocate his struggling franchise to Los Angeles. Facing massive financial losses and unable to compete with the well-funded Cleveland Browns of the rival All-America Football Conference, Reeves successfully negotiated a move to the 103,000-seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This decision not only saved the team but established the NFL as the first professional coast-to-coast sports industry. The franchise remained in Southern California for nearly five decades, eventually moving to St. Louis in 1995 before returning to Los Angeles in 2016. Their home grounds shifted from the historic Coliseum (1946–1979) to Anaheim Stadium (1980–1994), and finally to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood starting in 2020, marking a complex journey through the city's sports landscape.

Breaking the Color Barrier

The Rams' move to Los Angeles catalyzed one of the most significant social shifts in professional sports history. Upon securing approval to lease the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, team officials were informed that integration was a strict precondition for their tenancy. Consequently, the franchise agreed to sign African-American players, ending a 13-year period where no Black athletes played in American pro football. On March 21, 1946, they signed Kenny Washington, followed by Woody Strode on May 7, making them the first NFL team to field an integrated roster. This bold move caused significant controversy among other league owners but proved essential for the team's survival and legitimacy in the new market. By entering the 1946 season with two Black players, the Rams not only fulfilled a contractual obligation but also paved the way for future diversity across the entire National Football League.

The Fearsome Fifties Offense

From 1949 to 1955, the Los Angeles Rams defined an era of explosive football known as their first heyday. During this pre-Super Bowl period, the team reached the NFL Championship Game four times, securing a victory in 1951. Their success was built upon a revolutionary wide-open offense featuring Hall of Famers Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin at quarterback, alongside receivers Elroy Hirsch and Tom Fears. Hirsch, in particular, became a defining figure by recording 1,495 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns during the championship season, setting new standards for big-play capability. This high-scoring style was so popular that the Rams became the first professional football team to have all their games televised in 1950. The era also saw Fred Gehrke paint horns on helmets in 1948, creating the iconic modern emblem associated with the franchise today.

Expanding the Sports Landscape

By the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Rams shifted from being Southern California's only major pro team to one of five key franchises. The Dodgers arrived in 1958, the AFL's Chargers came in 1960, and the Lakers and Angels followed soon after, reshaping the local scene. Even with this new competition for fans' time and money, the Rams kept thriving as a top-tier club. This era also highlighted Robert J.