Rickey Watts scores a much-needed TD in the finale vs. St. Louis.

The Chicago Bears entered the 1979 season with high hopes. In 1977, they reached the playoffs. In 1978, after starting the season 3-0 under new coach Neill Armstrong, they lost 8 games in a row en route to a 7-9 finish. During 1979, they would rely on a stretch-run winning streak, and a little luck, to push for the playoffs again.

The season began with 2 wins against NFC Central opponents Green Bay and Minnesota. After these wins, they dropped 2 straight on the road at powerhouses Miami and Dallas. They then came home and lost to suddenly-powerful Tampa Bay, 17-13 in a close game. After the Tampa game, young phenom quarterback Vince Evans was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia, and missed the remainder of the season. The reins were then turned over to 10-year veteran Mike Phipps.

Phipps' first start of 1979 came at Buffalo, where Chicago squeaked out a 7-0 win on a high-flying endzone dive from Walter Payton. After the victory at Buffalo, the Bears again dropped 2 straight, to New England and Minnesota. At the mid-point of the 1979 season, Chicago was 3-5.

In the second half of 1979, Chicago caught fire, winning 7 of 8. Their only loss came during a 20-0 defeat in Detroit on Thanksgiving. The season finale, on December 16, contained high drama that only the best fiction writer could have dreamed up. Prior to the game against St. Louis, Chicago was in second place in the NFC Central. The snow was falling, and they had a slim chance at making the playoffs as a wild-card. In order to do so, several almost impossible events had to take place. Tampa Bay or Washington had to lose. If Tampa Bay won, the Bears would have to beat the Cardinals by at least 36 points- unheard of. On top of this, on the morning of the 16th, Bears President "Mugs" Halas, son of founder George S., died in his sleep. This would provide extra motivation. As a side note, Walter Payton trailed Rookie Cardinal running back Otis Anderson for the NFC lead in rushing.

Nothing could have turned out better for Chicago, save Mugs Halas leading the team into the 1980's. The Bears defeated St. Louis 42-6, Washington lost, and Walter Payton edged Anderson for the NFC rushing title. Such fortune would not repeat itself in Soldier Field for at least 5 years.

Unfortunately, good fortune did not follow the Bears into the playoffs. At Philadelphia on December 23rd, the Bears took a 23-10 lead on an 84-yard touchdown run by Walter Payton. However, the TD was called back on an illegal motion penalty on WR Brian Baschnagel. The Bears lost, 27-17.