This is the last eight team playoff for ten seasons. The 1950s will include 6 playoff teams each season. This is also the last season of the AAFC. Here are the playoff seeds for 1949.
#8 seed-Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1947, lost NFL Quarterfinal
Playoff Record...0-2
All-Pro-C Bill Walsh, LB Darrell Hogan
The Steelers won four of their first five games, then held out for the last playoff spot. Pittsburgh was average in nearly every regard, but they did feature a solid running game, the second best rushing attack in the NFL.
#7 seed-Chicago Cardinals (6-5-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1948, lost NFL Quarterfinal
Playoff Record...0-3
All-Pro-RH-Elmer Angsman, RG Buster Ramsey, FB Pat Harder, C Vince Banonis
The Cardinals went 4-1-1 over the second half of the season to earn another playoff appearance. They have yet to win a playoff game as a franchise. Chicago's running game continues to be a factor year after year. The trio of Angsman, Trippi, and Harder combined for 1,674 yards rushing during the season.
#6 seed-New York Yankees (8-4)
Last Playoff Appearance...1947, NFL Champions
Playoff Record...5-1, 1947 NFL Champions
All-Pro-LE Jack Russell, LT Martin Ruby, RT Arnie Weinmeister, LH Buddy Young, RG Joe Signaigo
The Yankees returned to the playoffs for the first time since winning the title two years earlier, determined to make the last year of the franchise memorable. New York used a solid defense to win. Their offense struggled to score for most of the season.
#5 seed-Chicago Bears (9-3)
Last Playoff Appearance...1948, lost NFL Quarterfinal
Playoff Record...1-7
All-Pro-LT George Connor, RG Ray Bray, RE Jim Keane, RE Ed Sprinkle, G Wash Serini, QB Johnny Lujack
The Bears came steamrolling into the playoffs off of a perfect second half, winning six straight to end the season. Chicago gained more yards than any team in the NFL, using a prolific passing attack led by QB Johnny Lujack. The Bears run defense allowed less than 100 yards per game on the ground.
#4 seed-San Francisco 49ers (9-3)
Last Playoff Appearance...1948, lost NFL Championship
Playoff Record...3-3
All-Pro-RG Visco Grgich, RE Alyn Beals, FB Joe Perry, QB Frankie Albert, PR Jim Cason
San Francisco gained more yards and scored more points than any team in the AAFC. Frankie Albert threw 27 TD and Joe Perry led a ground attack that kept the defense off the field and allowed the Niners to control the clock and the scoreboard.
#3 seed-Los Angeles Rams (8-2-2)
Last Playoff Appearance...1948, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...2-3
All-Pro-FB Dick Hoerner, LE Tom Fears, LT Dick Huffman, C Fred Naumetz, QB Bob Waterfield, G Mike Lazetich
The Rams started the season with 6 straight wins and were solid, if not spectacular, on both sides of the ball. Tom Fears went over 1,000 yards receiving on 77 catches. Los Angeles' defense has struggled in recent weeks, giving up 26 points per game over the last 4 games.
#2 seed-Cleveland Browns (9-1-2)
Last Playoff Appearance...1948, NFL Champions
Playoff Record...8-1, Two NFL Championships (1946, 1948)
All-Pro-RE Dante Lavelli, QB Otto Graham, LE Mac Speedie, C Lou Saban, RT Lou Rymkus, FB Marion Motley, G Bill Willis
Cleveland is trying to win a third championship in four years, attempting to set a standard for the rest of the league to attain. The Browns passing attack and pass defense were the best in the AAFC. Otto Graham averaged nearly 10 yards per attempt and threw for 19 TD.
#1 seed-Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1948, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...5-2, Two NFL Championships (1944, 1945)
All-Pro-QB Tommy Thompson, LE Jack Ferrante, LT Vic Sears, RG Bucko Kilroy, RE Pete Pihos, LH Steve Van Buren, RT Al Wistert, K Cliff Patton
The Eagles were the class of the NFL. They have the league's best defense and best running attack. Tommy Thompson was efficient in the passing game and Steve Van Buren went over 1,000 yards on the ground. The defense intercepted 29 passes and held their opponents to just over 11 points per game.
1949 Playoffs
December 17, 1949
Chicago Cardinals at Cleveland Browns, 4:30 pm
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers, 8 pm
December 18, 1949
Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 pm
New York Yankees at Los Angeles Rams, 4:30 pm
December 25, 1949
NFL Semifinals, 3 pm and 6:30 pm
January 2, 1950
NFL Championship, 6:30 pm
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