One of the greatest defenses in NFL history. The Bears have a strong case for the best single season defense (1985) or in the span of a few years (1984-1988). Buddy Ryan joined the Bears in 1978 and over time, helped build a great defense using his 46 scheme. The scheme put a lot of pressure on quarterbacks and the additions of players like: Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, and Mike Singletary among others brought the defense to the next level.
1984 was their coming out party with the defense amassing 72 sacks and the 1985 defense is known as one of (if not the best) defense in NFL history. The defense in 1985 only allowed 198 points, shutting out the Giants/Rams in the playoffs and beat down the Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The 1986 defense allowed fewer points with 187 which was a record until the Ravens broke in 2000.
From 1984 to 1988, the Bears were at least 4th in points allowed and either first or second in yards allowed.
