This is one of my first memories of watching the Bears as a little boy. I had become keenly aware of Walter Payton that year and this Bears/Giants game was big for two reasons. The first was that the Bears could make the playoffs with a win. The second was that Walter had a chance at 2000 yards with a big game. Only The Juice had accomplished that feat until then.

Payton needed almost 200 yards to do it, but it wasn’t exactly a stretch to think that he could get there. He had the 275-yard game a few weeks earlier and had rushed for over 200 against the Packers. He had another game of 192 and just gained 163 the week before. So Bears fans thought it was in reach.

Sweetness didn’t get there but the Bears did win the game. This video is so great. Vin Scully was on the call and he was totally waxing poetic about the Bears. Then after the game Musberger, Phyllis George, Irv Cross and Jimmy the Greek talk about the Bears/Cowboys playoff game. At about 6 minutes in, they show the highlights for the entire game. Here it is: