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Top 10: Bears-49ers games
Sunday will be the 64th all-time meeting between the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers. Web writer Eli Kaberon picks the 10 best games from the longtime series.
In crazy winds that gusted up to 40 mph, the Bears won thanks in large part to cornerback Nathan Vasher. On the final play of the first half, Vasher returned a missed field goal 108 yards for a touchdown, which at the time was the longest play in NFL history.
Steve Young was unstoppable on this Monday night, throwing for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Much of that was to Jerry Rice, who had 125 receiving yards on just five catches.
Walter Payton led the way for the Bears, rushing for 162 yards and three touchdowns. But it was a 48-yard touchdown pass from Mike Phipps to James Scott late in the fourth quarter that gave Chicago the win.
The Chicago defense intercepted Joe Montana twice, keeping the high-flying Niners out of the end zone. In the third quarter, the Bears offense finally made a play, as Dennis McKinnon caught a 49-yard touchdown from Jim McMahon.
The only tie in series history was a crazy one. There was a combined 33 points scored in the fourth quarter. San Francisco outgained Chicago 423-220, but the Bears forced three turnovers, including a fourth quarter fumble returned for a touchdown by Ed O'Bradovich.
Chicago played spoiler for the opening of brand-new Levi's Stadium. Brandon Marshall had three touchdown catches and Kyle Fuller grabbed a pair of interceptions to help the Bears rally for a victory.
In the NFC Championship, the 49ers dominated, holding Chicago to just 13 first downs. Two weeks later, San Francisco won Super Bowl XIX, capping off an 18-1 season for the Niners.
Rookie Gale Sayers tied an NFL record, scoring six touchdowns in a blowout win for the Bears at Wrigley Field.
After two touchdowns in the final four minutes from Shane Mathews to David Terrell to tie the game, the legend of Mike Brown was born. The Chicago safety intercepted Jeff Garcia in overtime and returned the ball 33 yards for a walk-off win. It was the first of two straight week the Bears won on game-ending touchdowns by Brown.
The Bears had revenge on their mind, after being humiliated the previous January in the playoffs. Chicago's defense sacked Joe Montana seven times and forced four fumbles in the dominating win.
