Fans at Soldier Field on Dec. 31, 1988, settled in to observe a divisional playoff sport in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles in surprising consolation.
There was vivid sunshine, little wind and temperatures heading for the 40s.
Until, a sudden slap within the face.
“A fog that rolled in from the lake late in the first half left the spectators to stare into a gray shroud from which the players would emerge with maddening infrequency,” Tribune reporter Phil Hersh wrote on the time.
Few of the 65,534 spectators have been capable of see the ultimate moments of the Bears’ 20-12 victory because of the thick haze.
The “Fog Bowl” — which marked the primary time the Bears ever performed on New Year’s Eve — is now one of many franchise’s most memorable video games.
The Bears will play on Dec. 31 for the fourth time Sunday. They face the Atlanta Falcons at midday at Soldier Field.
Here’s a glance again on the outcomes for every of the staff’s earlier year-ending or year-beginning video games.
How the Bears have fared: Record
How the Bears have fared: Opponents and outcomes
How the Bears have fared: Points scored
How the Bears have fared: Memorable sport moments
New Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 1988: The “Fog Bowl” shouldn’t be solely the lone Bears win on New Year’s Eve, it additionally marked the primary time in three seasons the Bears superior previous their first playoff sport.
Mistakes by the Eagles — two touchdowns referred to as again by penalties within the first 21 minutes and a dropped landing move — allowed the Bears to protect a lead earlier than the fog rolled in. Still, the Bears weren’t good. Quarterback Mike Tomczak threw three passes for interceptions and was flattened by Reggie White late within the third quarter and compelled out of the sport because of damage.
Kicker Kevin Butler made a 46-yard area objective however missed one at 51 yards. Eagles coach and former Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan refused to shake fingers with Bears coach Mike Ditka.
New Year’s Day
Jan. 1, 1995: The Bears scored an unbelievable street victory — 35-18 — over the Minnesota Vikings within the NFL wild-card sport after dropping twice to them in the course of the common season.
It was the Bears’ first playoff victory since Jan. 6, 1990, and first street playoff triumph since Dec. 30, 1984. Vikings quarterback Warren Moon, who wore a brace on his sprained left knee, completed with 292 yards on 29-of-52 passing, however threw two interceptions and was erratic a lot of the sport. Bears finish Trace Armstrong sacked Moon twice.
Other Bears defenders with large performs: Barry Minter had his first interception of the yr, Mark Carrier broke up a possible landing move to Qadry Ismail and Kevin Miniefield iced the sport when he picked up Amp Lee’s fumble and returned it 48 yards for a landing.
Sources: Tribune reporting and archives; Pro Football Reference
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Source: www.bostonherald.com