Playoff Results: 1940s

General Published on : 1/1/2005

Throughout the 1940s, the NFL mainly consisted of just 10 teams (though only eight competed in 1943) in two Divisions: the Eastern and Western. Chicago was the capital of the pro football world during this period, with the "Monsters of the Midway" (the Bears) playing in the first four Championship games of the decade, winning twice. They would win another championship in 1946 before the Chicago Cardinals claimed the crown in '47.

2010- | 2000s| 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s | 1950s | 1940s | 1930s

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

1949

Eastern Division Champs:
Philadelphia (11-1)

Western Division Champs:
Los Angeles (8-2-2)

NFL Championship: Philadelphia 14, LOS ANGELES 0
 

1948

Eastern Division Champs:
Philadelphia (9-2-1)

Western Division Champs:
Chicago Cardinals (11-1)

NFL Championship: PHILADELPHIA 7, Chicago Cardinals 0
 

1947

Co-Eastern Division Champs:
Philadelphia (8-4)
Pittsburgh (8-4)

Western Division Champs:
Chicago Cardinals (9-3)

Eastern Division playoff: Philadelphia 21, PITTSBURGH 0
NFL Championship: CHICAGO CARDINALS 28, Philadelphia 21
 

1946

Eastern Division Champs:
N.Y. Giants (7-3-1)

Western Division Champs:
Chicago Bears (8-2-1)

NFL Championship: Chicago Bears 24, N.Y. GIANTS 14
 

1945

Eastern Division Champs:
Washington (8-2)

Western Division Champs:
Cleveland (9-1)

NFL Championship: CLEVELAND 15, Washington 14
 

1944

Eastern Division Champs:
N.Y. Giants (8-1-1)

Western Division Champs:
Green Bay (8-2)

NFL Championship: Green Bay 14, N.Y. GIANTS 7
 

1943

Eastern Division Champs:
Washington (6-3-1)
N.Y. Giants (6-3-1)

Western Division Champs:
Chicago Bears (8-1-1)

Eastern Division playoff: Washington 28, N.Y. GIANTS 0
NFL Championship: CHICAGO BEARS 41, Washington 21
 

1942

Eastern Division Champs:
Washington (10-1)

Western Division Champs:
Chicago Bears (11-0)

NFL Championship: WASHINGTON 14, Chicago Bears 6
 

1941

Eastern Division Champs:
N.Y. Giants (8-3)

Co-Western Division Champs:
Chicago Bears (10-1)
Green Bay (10-1)

Western Division playoff: CHICAGO BEARS 33, Green Bay 14
NFL Championship: CHICAGO BEARS 37, N.Y. Giants 9
 

1940

Eastern Division Champs:
Washington (9-2)

Western Division Champs:
Chicago Bears (8-3)

NFL Championship: Chicago Bears 73, WASHINGTON 0
Previous Article

Playoff Results: 1930s

The NFL's first Championship Game occurred in 1933 with the Bears beating the Giants, 23-21.
Next Article

Playoff Results: 1950s

The 1950s saw the rise of professional football in the nation's sporting conscience. The Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns were in their heyday during the decade, with both teams claiming three NFL titles.