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1980 Chicago Bears season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Chicago Bears |
| year | 1980 |
| record | 7–9 |
| division_place | 3rd NFC Central |
| coach | Neill Armstrong |
| general manager | Jim Finks |
| owner | George Halas |
| stadium | Soldier Field |
| playoffs | *Did not qualify* |
| shortnavlink | Bears seasons |
The 1980 season was the Chicago Bears' 61st in the National Football League, and their third under head coach Neill Armstrong. The team failed to improve from their 10–6 record from 1979 to finish at 7–9, and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1978.
One of the victories was on Thanksgiving at Detroit; Chicago entered the Thursday game at 4–8, last place in the NFC Central division, and were trailing 17–3 after three quarters. 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 on CBS, Dave Williams returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown on the first play of overtime for a 23–17 victory over the stunned Lions.
Running back Walter Payton once again led the NFC in rushing for the fifth straight year with 1,460 yards; he also had the league's highest annual salary at $475,000.
Offseason
Draft
Main article: 1980 NFL draft
:Source:
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Vincent Allen | Running Back | Indiana State |
| Larry Jamieson | Linebacker | Jackson State |
| Chuck Mate | Kicker | Notre Dame |
| Rick Nash | Wide Receiver | Idaho State |
| Mike Wright | Quarterback | Bowling Green |
Roster
|
- Bob Thomas K
Schedule
| Chicago Bears | year=1980 | border=2}}" | Week | Chicago Bears | year=1980 | border=2}}" | Date | Chicago Bears | year=1980 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Chicago Bears | year=1980 | border=2}}" | Result | Chicago Bears | year=1980 | border=2}}" | Record | Chicago Bears | year=1980 | border=2}}" | Venue | Chicago Bears | year=1980 | border=2}}" | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 7 | at **[Green Bay Packers](1980-green-bay-packers-season)** | **L** 6–12 (OT) | 0–1 | Lambeau Field | 54,381 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 14 | [New Orleans Saints](1980-new-orleans-saints-season) | **W** 22–3 | 1–1 | Soldier Field | 62,523 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 21 | **[Minnesota Vikings](1980-minnesota-vikings-season)** | **L** 14–34 | 1–2 | Soldier Field | 59,983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 28 | at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1980-pittsburgh-steelers-season) | **L** 3–38 | 1–3 | Three Rivers Stadium | 53,987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **[Tampa Bay Buccaneers](1980-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season)** | **W** 23–0 | 2–3 | Soldier Field | 61,350 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 12 | at **Minnesota Vikings** | **L** 7–13 | 2–4 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,751 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 19 | **[Detroit Lions](1980-detroit-lions-season)** | **W** 24–7 | 3–4 | Soldier Field | 58,508 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 26 | at [Philadelphia Eagles](1980-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **L** 14–17 | 3–5 | Veterans Stadium | 68,752 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Cleveland Browns](1980-cleveland-browns-season) | **L** 21–27 | 3–6 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 84,225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 9 | [Washington Redskins](1980-washington-redskins-season) | **W** 35–21 | 4–6 | Soldier Field | 57,159 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 16 | [Houston Oilers](1980-houston-oilers-season) | **L** 6–10 | 4–7 | Soldier Field | 59,390 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 23 | at [Atlanta Falcons](1980-atlanta-falcons-season) | **L** 17–28 | 4–8 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 49,156 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 27 | at **Detroit Lions** | **W** 23–17 (OT) | 5–8 | Pontiac Silverdome | 75,397 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 7 | **Green Bay Packers** | **W** 61–7 | 6–8 | Soldier Field | 57,176 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 14 | [Cincinnati Bengals](1980-cincinnati-bengals-season) | **L** 14–17 (OT) | 6–9 | Soldier Field | 48,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at **Tampa Bay Buccaneers** | **W** 14–13 | 7–9 | Tampa Stadium | 55,298 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Season summary
Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
;Top passers
- CHI – Mike Phipps – 17/30, 174 yards, 3 INT
- GB – Lynn Dickey – 10/22, 138 yards, 1 INT ;Top rushers
- CHI – Walter Payton – 31 rushes, 65 yards
- GB – Eddie Lee Ivery – 15 rushes, 73 yards ;Top receivers
- CHI – James Scott – 5 receptions, 59 yards
- GB – James Lofton – 5 receptions, 77 yards
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
First quarter
- DET – Eddie Murray 34-yard field goal. ''Lions 3–0. '''Drive:''''' Second quarter
- DET – Billy Sims 47-yard pass from Gary Danielson (Eddie Murray kick). ''Lions 10–0. '''Drive:'''''
- CHI – Bob Thomas 24-yard field goal. ''Lions 10–3. '''Drive:''''' Third quarter
- DET – Gary Danielson 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). ''Lions 17–3. '''Drive:''''' Fourth quarter
- CHI – Bob Fisher 20-yard pass from Vince Evans (Bob Thomas kick). ''Lions 17–10. '''Drive:'''''
- CHI – Vince Evans 4-yard run (Bob Thomas kick), 0:00. ''Tie 17–17. '''Drive: 14 plays, 94 yards.''''' Overtime
- CHI – Dave Williams 94-yard kickoff return. Bears 23–17. ;Top passers
- CHI – Vince Evans – 11/22, 167 yards, TD
- DET – Gary Danielson – 9/21, 156 yards, TD ;Top rushers
- CHI – Walter Payton – 18 rushes, 123 yards
- DET – Billy Sims – 19 rushes, 72 yards ;Top receivers
- CHI – James Scott – 6 receptions, 106 yards
- DET – Ray Williams – 3 receptions, 50 yards
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Standings
References
References
- (November 28, 1980). "Bears make it a short overtime, 23-17". Eugene Register-Guard.
- Atkins, Harry. (November 28, 1980). "Williams' return stuns Lions, 23-17". Schenectady Gazette.
- (February 13, 1981). "Payton tops salary list of NFL players". Schenectady Gazette.
- "1980 Chicago Bears Draftees". Pro Football Reference.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198012070chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
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