AFC 22

NFC 14

January 27, 1985

The 1985 Pro Bowl was a defensive spectacular. The defenses dominated the game and provided some amazing moments. Finally, it was defense that decided the game. The game was attended by 50,385. The coaches for the game were Chuck Noll of the Steelers and Mike Ditka of the Bears.

After a scoreless first quarter, defense started the scoring with Mark Gastineau of the Jets tackling the Rams’ Eric Dickerson in the end zone for a safety. In the second quarter, Seattle’s Fred Young blocked a punt by New Orlean’s Brian Hansen, giving the AFC the ball at the NFC 15 yard line. The Raiders’ Marcus Allen then caught a 6 yard touchdown pass from Dan Marino of Miami for a 9-0 AFC halftime lead.

The NFC scored the only points of the third quarter when Joe Montana of San Francisco hit Green Bay’s James Lofton with a 13 yard scoring strike. It was 9-7 through three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Walter Payton of the Bears scored on a 1 yard run to give the NFC their first lead at 14-9. The AFC’s Norm Johnson kicked a 33 yard field goal to bring the score to 14-12. The NFC mounted a drive and took the ball deep into AFC territory. But, on third and three from the 15 yard line, Neil Lomax of St. Louis collided with Dickerson on a hand-off and the ball popped loose. Kansas City defensive end, Art Still, fell on the fumble, jumped up and rumbled 83 yards to paydirt. The AFC led 19-14. Late in the quarter, New England’s Andre Tippitt recovered another fumble by Lomax and Norm Johnson capped off the scoring with a 22 yard field goal for a final score of 22-14.

Besides Still’s historic fumble return, the longest in Pro Bowl history, both teams combined for a Pro Bowl record-setting 17 sacks, including four by player of the game, defensive end Mark Gastineau.

A day for the AFC defense. Art Still (left) had a record fumble return and MVP Gastineau had four sacks.

Finally, both Marino (left) and Montana met in a Pro Bowl.

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