With the birth of the AAFC, there are 8 new pro football teams available for the postseason, so there are 4 new seeds for the playoffs. Instead of 4 teams playing 3 games, we will have 8 teams playing 7 playoff games to reach a champion. Playoff seeds for 1946...
#8 seed-Chicago Cardinals (6-5)
Last Playoff Appearance...first appearance in franchise history
All-Pro-None
The Cardinals won their last 2 games in order to qualify for the postseason, finishing tied with the Packers and the 2-time defending champion Eagles at 6-5, but winning the tiebreaker by finishing with the best point differential of the three teams. Chicago finished without any first-team All-Pros, but managed to have the third best offense in the NFL.
#7 seed-Los Angeles Dons (7-5-2)
Last Playoff Appearance...first appearance in franchise history
All-Pro-C Robert Nelson
The Dons survived a three game losing streak in midseason to get to the playoffs. Los Angeles had the second best offense in the AAFC, but after 9 games they were 4-4-1. The Dons would win their next 3 games, which was just enough to qualify as a #7 seed.
#6 seed-Los Angeles Rams (6-4-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1946, lost NFL Championship
Playoff Record...1-1
All-Pro-QB Bob Waterfield, RG Riley Matheson, LE Jim Benton
The Rams decided to go west for 1946, where they would remain until 1994. The Rams were hoping to use the NFL's most prolific passing attack to return for another chance at a championship in 1946. The combination of Waterfield to Benton lit up NFL defenses for nearly 1,000 yards.
#5 seed-San Francisco 49ers (9-5)
Last Playoff Appearance...first appearance in franchise history
All-Pro-LE Alyn Beals, RG Bruno Banducci
San Francisco was a solid team in 1946, finishing with the second best point differential of any team in pro football. The 49ers finished with the best running attack in the AAFC, with 4 different running backs gaining at least 300 yards behind a solid offensive line led by guard Bruno Balducci.
#4 seed-New York Giants (7-3-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1944, lost NFL Championship
Playoff Record...2-3
All-Pro-TB Frank Filchock, RT Jim White
The Giants won 4 of their first 5 games, then struggled throughout the second half of the season. The Giants were outgained in 1946, but still managed to outscore their opponents by a +74 for the season. Their strong start ensured a home game for the 1946 playoffs.
#3 seed-New York Yankees (10-3-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...first appearance in franchise history
All-Pro-TB Spec Sanders, LT Bruiser Kinard
The Yankees were the best defensive team in the AAFC, winning 7 of their last 8 games and steamrolling into the playoffs. Spec Sanders was all over the field for the offense, running for 6 touchdowns, throwing for 4 touchdowns, catching 3 touchdowns, and returning both a kick and a punt for a touchdown, all in the same season.
#2 seed-Chicago Bears (8-2-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1944, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...0-4
All-Pro-LE Ken Kavanaugh, C Bulldog Turner
Chicago was back in the postseason after a 1-year absence in 1945. They were hoping to reverse a history of postseason disappointment dating back to the start of THPF in 1941. The Bears used a dominating run defense to win 5 of their last 6 games and finish with the best record in the NFL. Hall of Famer Bulldog Turner was a standout on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
#1 seed-Cleveland Browns (12-2)
Last Playoff Appearance...first appearance in franchise history
All-Pro-QB Otto Graham, FB Marion Motley, RG Bill Willis, RE Dante Lavelli
The 1940s and 50s era Browns teams led by Hall of Fame Head Coach Paul Brown were some of the best in the history of Pro Football, and this was the first. The 1946 Browns featured the best offense and the best defense in the AAFC, throwing for almost 10 yards per attempt. Cleveland started the season with 7 straight victories, then lost 2 before closing with 5 straight victories to end the season.
1946 Playoffs
December 21, 1946
San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants, 4:30 pm
Los Angeles Dons at Chicago Bears, 8 pm
December 22, 1946
Los Angeles Rams at New York Yankees, 1 pm
Chicago Cardinals at Cleveland Browns, 4:30 pm
December 29, 1946
NFL Semifinals, 3pm and 6:30 pm
January 5, 1947
NFL Championship Game, 6:29 pm
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