Rushing: Walter Payton, 1,333 yards on 321 attempts, 4.2-yard average, 8 touchdowns, longest run from scrimmage 41 yards
Passing: Mike Tomczak, 1,105 yards, 74 completions on 151 attempts, 10 interceptions, 2 touchdowns
Receiving: Willie Gault, 818 yards, 42 receptions, 19.5-yard average, 5 touchdowns, longest reception 53 yards
Punting: Maury Buford, 2,850 yards on 69 punts, 41.3-yard average, longest punt 59 yards, 19 punts downed inside the 20-yard line
Kicking: Kevin Butler, 36 of 37 on extra points, 28 of 41 on field goals, 120 points, longest field goal 52 yards
Interceptions: Mike Richardson, 7 interceptions, returned for 69 yards, 9.9-yard average return, longest return 32 yards, 0 touchdowns
Punt returns: Lew Barnes, 482 yards on 57 returns, 8.5-yard average, longest return 35 yards, 0 touchdowns
Kickoff returns: Dennis Gentry, 576 yards on 20 returns, 28.8-yard average, longest return 91 yards for 1 touchdown
Touchdowns: Walter Payton, 11 (8 rushing, 3 receiving), 66 points
Tackles: Gary Fencik, 130 (67 solo, 63 assists)
Sacks: Richard Dent, 11.5 for 87 yards in losses
Blocked kicks: Dan Hampton, 2
Fumbles recovered: Otis Wilson and Wilber Marshall, 3 each
Forced fumbles: Richard Dent and Wilber Marshall, 4 each
Passes defended: Mike Richardson, 17
BEARS RECORDS SET IN 1986
Consecutive games played, lifetime: 179, Mike Hartenstine, 1975-86; old record 167 by Bob Parsons, 1972-83
Field goals attempted, season: 41, Kevin Butler; old record 38 by Butler, 1985
Consecutive field goals, lifetime: 18, Kevin Butler, Sept. 14, 1985-Nov. 16, 1986; old record 13 by Butler, Nov. 10, 1985-Dec. 22, 1985
Consecutive games with field goal: 13, Kevin Butler, Nov. 10, 1985-Oct. 12, 1986; old record 12 by George Blanda, Dec. 11, 1956-Nov. 3, 1957
Safeties, lifetime: 2, Steve McMichael, 1981-86; old record 1 by many
Takeaways, lifetime: 50, Gary Fencik, 1976-86; old record 47 by Dick Butkus, 1965-73
Interceptions by, lifetime: 38, Gary Fencik, 1976-86; old record 37 by Richie Petitbon, 1959-68
HOW BEARS RANKED IN NFC, NFL
Category Mark NFC NFL
Team
Rushing offense 168.8 yds./game 1st 1st
Passing offense 172.4 yds./game 8th 20th
Total offense 341.2 yds./game 5th 7th
Rushing defense 91.4 yds./game 2d 2d
Passing defense 166.7 yds./game 2d 2d
Total defense 258.1 yds./game 1st 1st
Penalties 98 for 765 yds. 7th 11th
Give-/take-aways Even 8th 4th
Individuals
Kick scoring Kevin Butler, 120 pts. 1st 2d
Receiving yards Willie Gault, 818 12th 19th
Interceptions Mike Richardson, 7 6th 9th
Dave Duerson, 6 8th 13th
Rushing yards Walter Payton, 1,333 4th 5th
Yds. from scrimmage Walter Payton, 1,715 3d 6th
Punting Maury Buford, 41.3 avg. 8th 12th
Punt returns Lew Barnes, 8.5 avg. 7th 14th
Kickoff returns Dennis Gentry, 28.8 avg. 1st 1st
Sacks Richard Dent, 11.5 7th 14th
FINAL TEAM STATISTICS
Category Bears Opp.
Total first downs 305 241
Total net yards 5,459 4,130
Avg. yards/game 341.2 258.1
Avg. yards/play 5.2 4.1
Net yards rushing 2,700 1,463
Avg. yds. rushing/game 168.8 91.4
Net yards passing 2,759 2,667
Avg. yds. passing/game 172.4 166.7
Pct. of completions 50.1 47.4
Passes had intercepted 25 31
Punts/average 70/40.7 100/40.9
Penalties/yards 98/765 110/861
Fumbles/lost 36/22 27/16
Touchdowns 38 20
BEARS` RESULTS
RECORD: 14-3
Bears Regular season Opp.
41 Cleveland 31
13 Philadelphia+ 10
25 At Green Bay 12
44 At Cincinnati 7
23 Minnesota 0
20 At Houston 7
7 At Minnesota 23
13 Detroit 7
17 Rams 20
23 At Tampa Bay 3
13 At Atlanta 10
12 Green Bay 10
13 Pittsburgh+ 10
48 Tampa Bay 14
16 At Detroit 13
24 At Dallas 10
Bears Playoffs Opp.
13 Washington 27
+ Overtime
7
Seven players were chosen to represent the Bears in the 1987 Pro Bowl:
Running back Walter Payton, offensive tackle Jim Cobert, center Jay Hilgenberg, linebacker Mike Singletary, linebacker Wilber Marshall, safety Dave Duerson, defensive tackle Steve McMichael.
2-1
The Bears were 2-1 in Monday night games in 1986. They beat Green Bay and Detroit on the road, but lost to the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field.
SCORING BY PERIODS
Period 1 2 3 4 OT Total
Bears 88 84 82 92 6 352
Opponents 35 36 65 51 0 187
Chicago Tribune Graphic; Source: 1987 Chicago Bears guide.
