1941 NFL Semifinal-Brooklyn Dodgers-17, Chicago Bears-13

December 14, 1941

Weather-20 degrees, wind 12 mph NW

The NFL semifinal was supposed to be a formality for Chicago on their way to a second consecutive NFL title, but Brooklyn had other plans. The Dodgers overcame a 10-0 first quarter deficit with a solid running game and two second-half touchdown passes from their QB Clarence (Ace) Parker, a former league MVP.

The Dodgers ran for 200 yards against Chicago, led by All-Pro FB Pug Manders, who ran for 97 yards on 16 carries. Merl Condit made huge plays on offense and defense to spark the Dodgers in the second half. Brooklyn tied the game in the third quarter when Condit intercepted a pass and Parker hit Perry Schwartz for a 10-yard score to tie the score at 10. In the fourth quarter, Condit broke free for a 46-yard run off right tackle, leading to a Parker to Eddie Rucinski TD pass that gave Brooklyn their first lead.

With the victory, Brooklyn moved to 8-4 on the season and earned a spot in the NFL Championship game.

Brooklyn Dodgers (8-4)-0-3-7-7-17
Chicago Bears (10-2) -10-0-0-3-13

Chi-Maniaci 24 FG
Chi-McAfee 15 pass from Luckman (Maniaci Kick)
Bro-McAdams 32 FG
Bro-Schwartz 10 pass from Parker (McAdams Kick)
Bro-Rucinski 7 pass from Parker (McAdams Kick)
Chi-Maniaci 23 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Bro-Manders-16-97-0 (127-583-5), Condit-10-48-0 (101-405-4), Parker-11-37-0 (96-338-0), Kracum-5-17-0 (57-186-3), Schwartz-1-1-0 (2-8-0)
Chi-McAfee-11-59-0 (76-533-5), Standlee-11-45-0 (92-459-5), Gallarreau-7-10-0 (56-314-8), Plasman-1-2-0 (2-3-0), Luckman-1-1-0 (19-19-1)

Passing
Bro-Parker-15-7-87-2-1 (117-58-726-4-9)
Chi-Luckman-24-9-125-1-0 (143-77-1306-10-6), Snyder-3-2-13-0-1 (31-15-366-3-3)

Receiving
Bro-Schwartz-3-49-1 (28-411-3), Condit-2-19-0 (7-51-0), Hodges-1-12-0 (13-140-0), Rucinski-1-7-1 (18-211-2)
Chi-Nowanskey-3-22-0 (15-221-1), Kavanaugh-2-40-0 (13-354-6), Siegal-2-34-0 (11-254-3), Plasman-2-18-0 (16-301-0), McAfee-1-15-1 (8-159-4), Pool-1-9-0 (6-110-1)