Miami V. Chicago, 1985. Was it REALLY an upset win?

[MaineDolFan]

I hear this statement from time to time:         

"When Miami upset the Chicago Bears in 1984..."

That statement is generally made by a younger person, someone that couldn't have been much more than 10-12 in 1984 at the time.  Age is important to perspective in this.

I don't feel that win was an upset.  I'm curious as to why anyone would?  A few years ago the Broncos were, what?  12-0 - they went into a game against an 9-3 Giants team and lost.  That wasn't considered an upset, it was merely one good team knocking off a previously unbeaten one.

People seem to think Miami was 5-12 in 1984 or something.  Ain't true.  The reality of the 1984 Miami Dolphins:

14-2 regular season, only better record that year was the 15-1 Bears.  I'm not seeing a huge drop off between a 14-2 team and 15-1 team, especially in that era.

Miami had the #1 offense in the NFL.

Miami had the #7 defense in the NFL.

Miami had the #2 Differential of points in the NFL.  In other words - they beat asses and badly.

Miami was #5 in Takeaway/Giveaway Differential in the NFL.

Marino threw for over 5,000 yards.  Three RBs had 500+ rushing.  Miami had 18 rushing TD's and was one of the top teams in the red zone.  42 sacks.  24 interceptions.

The 1984 Miami Dolphins were a freakin' buzzsaw.  Don't even get me started on special teams.

So why would anything think that beating the Bears, in the Orange Bowl by the way, was "an upset?"

[StL FinFan]

I don't think it was an upset, either.  I remember all the buzz leading up to this game, that this would be the one game the Bears might lose.  Everyone was anticipating the game, but no one (at least no one I know) thought the Bears were a lock.  I was in High School at the time.  OMG I'm old!

[Jim Gray]

That's my favorite Dolphin game of all time, and I agree - not an upset.  The Bears were favored, but Miami was a elite team playing at home.  I was living in Ft. Lauderdale at the time, and I can tell that most of the Dolphin fans and media were really excited and felt Miami would be competitive and the game would be close even if Miami didn't win.

The 2006 game was an huge upset.  The game is in Chicago against a 7 - 0 Bears team, while Miami is 1 - 6.  Miami is a huge underdog and I'm expected an ugly ass whippin' as are most Dolphin fans.  Miami wins 31 - 13.  Kind of sounds familiar to something that happened recently.  

[Phishfan]

The Dolphins and Bears didn't play in 84. They played in 85 when Miami was 12-4. I am not sure about the rest of your stats.

Modified to add I agre with your perception about the upset though. I never had any doubt that night.

[MaineDolFan]

You're right!  Oops.  Okay, still wasn't an upset.  Coming off a 14-2 season (snicker), Miami was 12-4 and very much an elite team. 

#4 offense.  12th defense.  #5 in point differential.  4,000 yards passing and 1,800 rushing.  Undefeated at home.

[simeon]

The Dolphins and Bears didn't play in 84. They played in 85 when Miami was 12-4. I am not sure about the rest of your stats.

Modified to add I agre with your perception about the upset though. I never had any doubt that night.

I was going to say this, but you beat me to the punch. Miami was 9-4 when they played Chicago who was 13-0 at the time.
It was considered an upset because Chicago was so dominate that year. I remember watching that game and I knew in my heart Miami would win so Chicago would not go undefeated. In many of our minds it wasn't an upset because we knew Dan and company would stop Da Bears and they did. Most sports writers would still say it was an upset, but we call it destiny to stay NFL'S only perfect team.

[jtex316]

I see your point about the Broncos Maine - but the Giants were 5-8 going in that game - they were HORRIBLE throughout the mid to late 90's. I mean HORRIBLE, bottom of the league for a good 6 years. 5-8 record was actually an improvement for them. That was no doubt about it a huge upset, and the way the game ended made for an even bigger effect (Toomer diving in the end zone for the score on the final minute).

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199812130nyg.htm

[MaineDolFan]

^^Damn.  Yeah, I was pretty wrong about that one.

And seeing that I had my Dolphins mixed up from '84 and '85...I think I might be wrong in my whole line of thinking here.  For whatever reason I had sold myself on that it was the 84 'Phins that did the "take down the Bears" thing.

Pointless thread by Maine # 4, 987.

[Phishfan]

It's not pointless because your premise is correct. People do look back and consider it an upset, but I don't know why. I guess in hindsight knowing it was the only game the Bears lost helps with that theory. People tend to forget anything other than who was the champion, so the fact that the Dolphins were such a solid team that year gets overlooked unless you are a fan.

[run_to_win]

It was considered an upset because Chicago was so dominate that year.

Agreed.  The Bears had 6 or 7 blowouts in their first 12 games, including winning the previous 3 games by a combined score of 104-3.

Buccaneers 38-28
Patriots 20–7
@ Vikings 33-24 
Redskins 45-10
@ Buccaneers 27-19
@ 49ers 26-10
Packers 23-7
Vikings 27-9
@ Packers 16-10
Lions 24-3
@ Cowboys 44-0
Falcons 36-0

[Brian Fein]

an upset is any time the team favored to win loses.

the bears were, no doubt, favored to win.  thus, it was an upset.

Its not a surprise that they lost, in hindsight, but it was still an upset.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

an upset is any time the team favored to win loses.

the bears were, no doubt, favored to win.  thus, it was an upset.

Its not a surprise that they lost, in hindsight, but it was still an upset.

An upset?  Technically speaking yes, because the Bears were the favorites.  A stunning upset?  Absolutely not.  This past Sunday's shellacking of the Patriots was a stunning upset. 

[landlocked]

I remember that game,and any time you bounce a pass off a guy's helmet and it goes for a touchdown......well,you pretty much know it's gonna be your night.Was it an upset?Ya,I gotta say it was,Miami was a decent team that year,but the juggernaut that was the '85 Bears was picking up steam and blowing teams out.They really needed to lose that game to bring them back down to earth.

[simeon]

An upset?  Technically speaking yes, because the Bears were the favorites.  A stunning upset?  Absolutely not.  This past Sunday's shellacking of the Patriots was a stunning upset. 

I am not so sure Miami beating New England was a stunning upset, I will say Miami beat New England in a stunning manner. However many of the talking heads on the football programs were picking Miami to win the game. It was an upset because New England was favored by 13 plus points.

[Jim Gray]

However many of the talking heads on the football programs were picking Miami to win the game.

Really?  I didn't see one.  Were they picking Miami straight up or against the spread?