1980 Chicago Bears season
The 1980 Chicago Bears season was their 61st regular season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 7–9 record under second year coach Neill Armstrong and failed to make the playoffs.
One of the 7 victories by the Bears that year was a Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. With no time left in regulation, Bears quarterback Vince Evans scored a game-tying touchdown that sent the game into overtime. Then before a national television audience, Dave Williams returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and a 23–17 victory in overtime over the Lions.
Walter Payton once again led the NFC in rushing for the 5th straight year with 1,460 yards.
Schedule
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1 |
September 7, 1980 |
at Green Bay Packers |
L 12–6 |
54,381 |
| 2 |
September 14, 1980 |
New Orleans Saints |
W 22–3 |
62,523 |
| 3 |
September 21, 1980 |
Minnesota Vikings |
L 34–14 |
59,983 |
| 4 |
September 28, 1980 |
at Pittsburgh Steelers |
L 38–3 |
53,987 |
| 5 |
October 6, 1980 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
W 23–0 |
61,350 |
| 6 |
October 12, 1980 |
at Minnesota Vikings |
L 13–7 |
46,751 |
| 7 |
October 19, 1980 |
Detroit Lions |
W 24–7 |
58,508 |
| 8 |
October 26, 1980 |
at Philadelphia Eagles |
L 17–14 |
68,752 |
| 9 |
November 3, 1980 |
at Cleveland Browns |
L 27–21 |
84,225 |
| 10 |
November 9, 1980 |
Washington Redskins |
W 35–21 |
57,159 |
| 11 |
November 16, 1980 |
Houston Oilers |
L 10–6 |
59,390 |
| 12 |
November 23, 1980 |
at Atlanta Falcons |
L 28–17 |
49,156 |
| 13 |
November 27, 1980 |
at Detroit Lions |
W 23–17 |
75,397 |
| 14 |
December 7, 1980 |
Green Bay Packers |
W 61–7 |
57,176 |
| 15 |
December 14, 1980 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
L 17–14 |
48,808 |
| 16 |
December 20, 1980 |
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
W 14–13 |
55,298 |
Season summary
Week 13
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|
| • Bears |
0 |
3 | 0 | 14 | 6 |
23 |
| Lions |
3 |
7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
17 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
|
| 1 |
| Lions | Eddie Murray 34-yard field goal | Lions 3–0 |
|
| 2 |
| Lions | Billy Sims 47-yard pass from Gary Danielson (Eddie Murray kick) | Lions 10–0 |
|
| 2 |
| Bears | Bob Thomas 24-yard field goal | Lions 10–3 |
|
| 3 |
| Lions | Gary Danielson 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick) | Lions 17–3 |
|
| 4 |
| Bears | Bob Fisher 20-yard pass from Vince Evans (Bob Thomas kick) | Lions 17–10 |
|
| 4 |
| Bears | Vince Evans 4-yard run (Bob Thomas kick) | Tie 17–17 |
|
| OT |
| Bears | Dave Williams 94-yard kickoff return | Bears 23–17 |
|
Week 14
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Packers |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
| • Bears |
0 |
28 | 13 | 20 |
61 |
|
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[1]
Standings
References
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| Franchise | |
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| Records | |
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| Stadiums | |
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| Lore | |
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| Culture | |
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| Rivalries | |
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| Retired numbers | |
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| Key personnel | |
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| Division championships (18) | |
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| Conference championships (4) | |
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| League championships (9) | |
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| Media |
- Radio:
- Personnel:
- Jeff Joniak (play-by-play)
- Tom Thayer (analyst)
- Zach Zaidman (sideline reporter and radio coach's show host)
- Television:
- Personnel:
- Lou Canellis (gameday television host, pre-season sideline reporter)
- Sam Rosen (pre-season play-by-play)
- Jim Miller (pre-season analyst)
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| Current league affiliations | |
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| Seasons (96) | |
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