1950 NFL Semifinal-New York Giants-28, Chicago Bears-3

The football card of Eddie Price, Giants running back.

December 24, 1950

Weather-45 degrees, 16 mph WSW, rain

The New York Giants reached the NFL Championship Game next weekend with a 28-3 victory over the Chicago Bears. The Giants outgained Chicago 367-194, using 278 yards on the ground to control the clock and keep the Bears offense off the field. Eddie Price led the ground attack with 168 yards on 16 carries. Gene Roberts and Joe Scott each ran for two touchdowns, as the Giants churned out 6.8 yards per carry. The Bears were unable to generate any offense after an opening drive field goal. Chicago ran for only 93 yards on 37 carries, less than half their season average.

The Giants will host the NFL Championship Game if the Eagles can manage their way past Cleveland in the late game. Otherwise, New York will travel to Cleveland for the championship.

Chicago Bears....(10-4)-3-0-0-0-3
New York Giants.(11-2)-7-7-7-7-28

Chi-Lujack 27 FG
NYG-Roberts 25 run (Poole Kick)
NYG-Scott 9 run (Poole Kick)
NYG-Roberts 3 run (Poole Kick)
NYG-Scott 12 run (Poole Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Chi-Rykovich-15-58-0 (154-575-8), Gulyanics-13-29-0 (178-751-4), Lujack-5-4-0 (77-450-11), Kindt-1-2-0 (3-7-0), Hunsinger-3-0-0 (70-418-4)
NYG-Price-16-168-0 (142-871-4), Roberts-13-66-2 (129-549-6), Scott-7-39-2 (79-361-4), Clay-2-4-0 (76-258-2), Conerly-3-1-0 (26-23-1)

Passing
Chi-Lujack-25-11-115-0-0 (300-143-2,018-5-22)
NYG-Conerly-14-7-110-0-0 (146-63-1,110-8-7)

Receiving
Chi-Keane-4-51-0 (44-524-0), Rykovich-3-12-0 (26-387-0), Kavanaugh-2-29-0 (21-408-2), Gulyanics-2-23-0 (15-177-0)
NYG-Swiacki-2-26-0 (22-306-3), McChesney-2-22-0 (21-402-6), Price-1-24-0 (5-54-0), Roberts-1-20-0 (12-164-1), Williams-1-18-0 (5-96-0)

1950 NFL Quarterfinal-Philadelphia Eagles-35, Los Angeles Rams-3



Pete Pihos, Philadelphia Eagles

December 17, 1950

Weather-78 degrees, 8 mph SW

The Los Angeles Rams were an offensive juggernaut all season long, and the general consensus was that they would cruise to the semifinals against the Philadelphia Eagles, who struggled all season long. Instead, the Eagles got a solid defensive performance, holding the Rams to 241 yards and 3 points, and they cruised to a 35-3 victory on the road. Frank Ziegler ran for 92 yards and 2 TD, while the Eagles averaged 4.4 yards per carry as a team. Philadelphia QB Tommy Thompson threw for 189 yards and 2 TD, both going to Pete Pihos. Pihos caught 4 passes for 96 yards, and his 51-yard TD with less than a minute to play in the first half gave the Eagles a 21-3 lead and ended the competitive portion of the game.

Philadelphia will travel to Cleveland for the NFL Semifinals.

Philadelphia Eagles.(7-6)-7-14-7-7-35
Los Angeles Rams......(9-4)-0-3-0-0-3

Phi-Ziegler 22 run (Patton Kick)
LA-Waterfield 36 FG
Phi-Pihos 21 pass from Thompson (Patton Kick)
Phi-Pihos 51 pass from Thompson (Patton Kick)
Phi-Craft 73 punt return (Patton Kick)
Phi-Ziegler 14 run (Patton Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Phi-Ziegler-14-92-2 (186-825-3), Van Buren-20-77-0 (208-706-4), Ledbetter-1-0-0 (68-320-1), Thompson-3-(-3)-0 (18-31-0)
LA-Davis-12-71-0 (100-487-3), Hoerner-12-31-0 (107-412-10), Waterfield-2-15-0 (10-29-1), Smith-3-7-0 (54-257-1), Van Brocklin-1-6-0 (16-28-1)

Passing
Phi-Thompson-25-12-189-2-0 (264-119-1,797-13-22)
LA-Van Brocklin-28-8-109-0-0 (261-135-2,170-18-14), Waterfield-5-2-14-0-0 (218-124-1,554-11-13)

Receiving
Phi-Pihos-4-96-2 (42-543-8), Ferrante-4-52-0 (39-640-3), Armstrong-2-25-0 (10-149-1), Ziegler-2-16-0 (15-232-2)
LA-Fears-4-37-0 (88-1,153-7), Hirsch-3-32-0 (45-719-7), Davis-2-42-0 (44-634-4), Hoerner-1-12-0 (27-458-1)

1950 NFL Quarterfinal-Chicago Bears-42, New York Yanks-7

December 17, 1950

Weather-15 degrees, 10 mph NW

The New York Yanks were a poor defensive team all season long, but managed to score enough points to keep most games competitive and to give the Yanks a winning record. Chicago took advantage of advantages at the line of scrimmage to gain almost 600 yards of offense, including 416 on the ground, to win 42-7 and advance to the semifinals. George Gulyanics led the Bears ground attack with 151 yards rushing and 2 TD. Julie Rykovich added 123 on the ground for Chicago. The Bears used a 21-point second quarter to break the game open.

The Bears opponent in the semifinals has yet to be determined.

New York Yanks...(7-6)-0-7-0-0-7
Chicago Bears.(10-3)-7-21-7-7-42

Chi-Hunsinger 10 run (Lujack Kick)
Chi-Rykovich 8 run (Lujack Kick)
Chi-Hunsinger 66 run (Lujack Kick)
NYY-Taliaferro 50 run (Adams Kick)
Chi-Sprinkle 13 pass from Lujack (Lujack Kick)
Chi-Gulyanics 5 run (Lujack Kick)
Chi-Gulyanics 17 run (Lujack Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
NYY-Taliaferro-9-76-1 (97-487-5), Toth-14-75-0 (145-711-5), Howard-2-7-0 (73-369-3)
Chi-Gulyanics-19-151-2 (165-722-4), Rykovich-17-123-1 (139-517-8), Hunsinger-6-92-2 (67-418-4), Lujack-9-49-0 (72-446-11), Kindt-1-1-0 (2-5-0)

Passing
NYY-Ratterman-28-11-187-0-1 (322-151-2,438-22-25)
Chi-Lujack-21-11-172-1-1 (275-132-1,903-5-22)

Receiving
NYY-Weiner-4-73-0 (39-795-6), Edwards-3-46-0 (55-821-6), Taliaferro-2-28-0 (23-327-5), Russell-1-27-0 (11-204-2), Toth-1-13-0 (16-202-3)
Chi-Keane-4-40-0 (40-473-0), Kavanaugh-2-48-0 (19-379-2), Rykovich-2-31-0 (23-375-0), Kindt-1-23-0 (4-95-1), Gulyanics-1-17-0 (13-154-0), Sprinkle-1-13-1 (5-83-1)

The 1950 Season

The 1950 season brings a merger between the AAFC and the NFL, which means a contraction of many of the teams from the AAFC. This season featured thirteen teams, and all of the other seasons from the 1950s feature twelve, which means there will be a six-team playoff for the next ten seasons. Here are the playoff seeds for 1950.

#6 seed-Philadelphia Eagles (6-6)
Last Playoff Appearance...1949, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...6-3, Two NFL Championships (1944, 1945)
Pro Bowl-LE John Green, LB Walt Barnes, MLB Chuck Bednarik, RE Pete Pihos, RT Al Wistert

The Eagles won a tiebreaker with the Steelers and Lions for the final postseason berth in 1950. The Eagles won with tough scoring defense and a solid running game. They looked like solid contenders at 6-2, but they've lost 4 straight heading for the playoffs.

#5 seed-New York Yanks (7-5)
Last Playoff Appearance...first appearance in franchise history
Pro Bowl-FB Zollie Toth, C Brad Ecklund, RE Dan Edwards, P Spec Sanders

The Yanks were a short live franchise, and this is their only playoff appearance. The Yanks were a high-scoring, no-defense team that rode a 6-1 start to a playoff berth. The Yanks lost 4 straight before a final game victory over Baltimore to earn a playoff spot.

#4 seed-Chicago Bears (9-3)
Last Playoff Appearance...1949, lost NFL Quarterfinal
Playoff Record...1-8
Pro Bowl-LG Dick Barwegan, C Bulldog Turner, LDT George Connor, K Johnny Lujack, RG Ray Bray, RE Ed Sprinkle, T Fred Davis

The Bears were a solid team that is playing as well as anyone heading to the postseason, winning 5 of their last 6. Johnny Lujack struggled throwing picks all season, but the defense played well enough to offset a -9 turnover differential.

#3 seed-Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Last Playoff Appearance...1949, lost NFL Championship
Playoff Record...4-4
Pro Bowl-QB Norm Van Brocklin, FB Dick Hoerner, LH Glenn Davis, LE Tom Fears, LDE Larry Brink, RDH Woodley Lewis, LT Dick Huffman, K Bob Waterfield

The 1950 Rams were a historically great offense, scoring 38.8 points per game. No team gained more yards or scored more points in 1950. Los Angeles scored at least 45 points on 5 different occasions. The defense struggled getting off of the field, but the offense was good enough to keep the Rams in any contest.

#2 seed-New York Giants (10-2)
Last Playoff Appearance...1946, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...3-4
Pro Bowl-QB Charlie Conerly, LH Gene Roberts, LDT Arnie Weinmeister, RDT Al DeRogatis, LLB John Cannady, RS Otto Schnellbacher, K Ray Poole, LDH Emlen Tunnell

The Giants play great defense; they used that defense to reach the second best record in the NFL. New York has won 6 straight heading to the postseason, outscoring the opposition 67-17 in the last 3. They also have a pair of victories over the #1 seed.

#1 seed-Cleveland Browns (10-2)
Last Playoff Appearance...1949, lost NFL Quarterfinal
Playoff Record...8-2, Two NFL Championships (1946, 1948)
Pro Bowl-QB Otto Graham, FB Marion Motley, LE Mac Speedie, LG Weldon Humble, MG Bill Willis, RLB Tony Adamle, K Lou Groza

Cleveland has also won 6 straight and achieved the #1 seed based on point differential, despite 2 losses to the #2 seed. The Browns feature the top ranked pass defense and the top ranked overall defense. Offensively, Marion Motley helped control the clock, and Otto Graham spread the ball around to a trio of talented receivers.

1950 Playoffs

December 17, 1950
New York Yanks at Chicago Bears, 3 pm
Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams, 6:30 pm

December 24, 1950
highest seed at New York Giants, 3 pm
lowest seed at Cleveland Browns, 6:30 pm

December 31, 1950
NFL Championship, 6:30 pm

1949 NFL Championship-Chicago Cardinals-30, Los Angeles Rams-24

January 1, 1950

Weather-55 degrees, 8 mph ESE

The Chicago Cardinals completed their upset run through the NFL Playoffs by winning on the road against the favored Los Angeles Rams, 30-24, for their first NFL Championship. The Cardinals used a dominant running game to control the line of scrimmage, gaining 268 yards on 48 carries, and average of 5.6 per carry. Pat Harder led the ground attack with 113 yards, including a 29-yard sweep of left end in the third quarter that gave Chicago their first lead of the game, 20-17.

Bob Waterfield led the Rams with 240 yards passing and 2 TD. Los Angeles jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, but the defense couldn't hold the lead.

Chicago Cardinals.(9-5-1)-7-6-7-10-30
Los Angeles Rams.(10-3-2)-14-0-3-7-24

LAR-Shaw 74 pass from Waterfield (Waterfield Kick)
LAR-Hirsch 31 run (Waterfield Kick)
Chc-Dewell 8 pass from Christman (Harder Kick)
Chc-Yablonski 40 FG
Chc-Yablonski 37 FG
LAR-Waterfield 19 FG
Chc-Harder 29 run (Harder Kick)
Chc-Angsman 5 run (Harder Kick)
Chc-Yablonski 11 FG
LAR-Keane 29 pass from Waterfield (Waterfield Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Chc-Harder-13-113-1 (138-588-8), Trippi-13-91-0 (157-824-4), Angsman-14-49-1 (172-955-7), Christman-4-12-0 (9-45-0), Dimancheff-3-2-0 (41-153-3), Kutner-1-1-0 (6-11-0)
LAR-Hoerner-16-65-0 (202-735-8), Hirsch-8-43-1 (95-407-3)

Passing
Chc-Christman-13-6-73-1-1 (205-96-1,282-14-14)
LAR-Waterfield-33-15-240-2-1 (374-190-2,728-20-27), Van Brocklin-8-5-53-0-0 (68-38-664-6-2)

Receiving
Chc-Trippi-2-30-0 (40-508-7), Kutner-1-16-0 (36-539-5), Dimancheff-1-16-0 (11-146-1), Dewell-1-8-1 (23-273-3), Harder-1-3-0 (16-129-1)
LAR-Fears-7-42-0 (95-1,169-9), Shaw-4-123-1 (38-812-8), Hirsch-4-49-0 (28-408-4), Hoerner-2-23-0 (22-258-0), Keane-1-29-1 (6-106-1), Hubbell-1-17-0 (4-49-0), Currivan-1-10-0 (4-88-1)

1949 NFL Semifinal-Los Angeles Rams-7, San Francisco 49ers-3

December 25, 1949

Weather-64 degrees, 3 mph ESE

San Francisco outgained Los Angeles 320-194 and had many opportunities to pull out a victory, but the Rams came up with the big plays needed for a 7-3 win. Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch scored the only TD of the game when he took a draw straight up the middle for a 39-yard score in the second quarter. San Francisco was able to move the ball all evening, but 49ers K Joe Vetrano missed 4 FG and San Francisco failed on three different fourth down conversion attempts in the fourth quarter, with two of those coming in the red zone.

The Rams will host the Cardinals next weekend for the NFL Championship.

San Francisco 49ers.(10-4)-3-0-0-0-3
Los Angeles Rams..(10-2-2)-0-7-0-0-7

SF-Vetrano 11 FG
LAR-Hirsch 39 run (Waterfield Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
SF-Perry-17-71-0 (149-917-8), Cathcart-10-27-0 (89-457-1), Strzykalski-14-17-0 (95-335-3), Albert-2-15-0 (39-270-3), Beals-1-4-0 (6-37-0)
LAR-Hirsch-10-43-1 (87-364-2), Hoerner-14-29-0 (186-670-8), Gehrke-7-13-0 (68-225-2), Younger-3-7-0 (55-198-0), Waterfield-1-(-1)-0 (10-(-10)-1)

Passing
SF-Albert-29-16-186-0-0 (308-157-2,248-28-16)
LAR-Waterfield-18-9-103-0-1 (341-175-2,488-18-26)

Receiving
SF-Beals-6-58-0 (55-814-12), Strzykalski-2-60-0 (10-193-1), Catchcart-2-25-0 (15-209-0), Susoeff-1-4-0 (6-56-1), Shoener-1-(-2)-0 (8-82-0)
LAR-Fears-4-47-0 (88-1,127-9), Shaw-2-30-0 (34-689-7), Hoerner-2-19-0 (20-235-0), Keane-1-7-0 (5-77-0)

1949 NFL Semifinal-Chicago Cardinals-20, Philadelphia Eagles-14

December 25, 1949

Weather-44 degrees, 5 mph E

The Chicago Cardinals jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead, then held on for a 20-14 victory and a spot in the NFL Championship Game. Paul Christman threw two second quarter TD passes to help the Cards take control. Each TD pass was the result of an interception from Philadelphia QB Tommy Thompson.

Philadelphia scored a fourth quarter TD to cut the lead to 6, but never got the ball back. Chicago will travel to either Los Angeles or San Francisco for the NFL Championship next Sunday.

Chicago Cardinals.(8-5-1)-3-14-0-3-20
Philadelphia Eagles.(12-2)-0-0-7-7-14

Chc-Yablonski 26 FG
Chc-Trippi 38 pass from Christman (Harder Kick)
Chc-Angsman 3 pass from Christman (Harder Kick)
Phi-Ferrante 6 pass from Thompson (Patton Kick)
Chc-Yablonski 21 FG
Phi-Armstrong 5 pass from Thompson (Patton Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Chc-Angsman-14-80-0 (158-906-6), Trippi-16-40-0 (144-733-4), Harder-11-23-0 (125-475-7), Ravenburg-1-1-0 (4-8-0), Christman-1-(-1)-0 (5-33-0)
Phi-Van Buren-22-98-0 (313-1,366-12), Pritchard-10-32-0 (110-623-6), Thompson-2-1-0 (19-20-2)

Passing
Chc-Christman-17-10-136-2-0 (192-90-1,209-13-13)
Phi-Thompson-27-11-121-2-2 (255-134-1,949-18-13)

Receiving
Chc-Kutner-3-48-0 (35-523-5), Trippi-2-47-1 (38-478-7), Ravensburg-2-18-0 (13-238-3), Dewell-1-11-0 (22-265-2), Harder-1-9-0 (15-126-1), Angsman-1-3-1 (7-72-1)
Phi-Ferrante-4-39-1 (38-547-6), Pihos-3-52-0 (39-548-4), Armstrong-3-14-1 (28-292-6), Pritchard-1-16-0 (11-234-2)

1949 NFL Quarterfinal-Los Angeles Rams-29, New York Yankees-6

December 18, 1949

Weather-53 degrees, 13 mph ESE, rain

On the third play from scrimmage, Los Angeles QB Bob Waterfield hit Bob Shaw breaking down the sideline for an 86-yard bomb and a 7-0 lead. The Rams would never trail on their way to a 29-6 victory. Waterfield threw for 217 yards and kicked a pair of field goals. Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch ran for 34 yards, caught passes for 33 yards, and intercepted a pass. Tom Fears caught 7 passes, equaling Mac Speedie's NFL record for receptions in a season with 84. The Yankees struggled offensively all season long and the quarterfinal was no different. New York could manage only 2 field goals and 215 yards, including just 59 after halftime.

The Rams will host the 49ers at the Coliseum next weekend for a spot in the title game.

New York Yankees......(8-5)-3-3-0-0-6
Los Angeles Rams.(9-2-2)-14-3-0-12-29

LAR-Shaw 86 pass from Waterfield (Waterfield Kick)
LAR-Hoerner 2 run (Waterfield Kick)
NYY-Johnson 22 FG
LAR-Waterfield 12 FG
NYY-Johnson 10 FG
LAR-Waterfield 11 FG
LAR-Hoerner 30 run (Kick Missed)
LAR-Waterfield 24 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
NYY-Howard-8-37-0 (125-496-3), Kennedy-14-33-0 (132-523-5), Panciera-1-0-0 (11-(-4)-0), Young-10-(-4)-0 (86-491-5)
LAR-Hoerner-17-59-2 (172-641-8), Hirsch-9-34-0 (77-321-1), Gehrke-3-9-0 (61-212-2), Van Brocklin-1-0-0 (5-(-1)-0), Waterfield-4-(-5)-0 (9-(-9)-0)

Passing
NYY-Panciera-21-6-120-0-3 (171-57-921-5-19), Johnson-12-4-50-0-0 (48-16-229-0-5)
LAR-Waterfield-27-12-217-1-1 (323-166-2,385-18-25), Van Brocklin-2-1-10-0-0 (60-33-611-6-2)

Receiving
NYY-Alford-2-65-0 (13-278-1), Garza-2-39-0 (11-232-0), Russell-2-24-0 (9-154-1), Poole-1-14-0 (7-97-0), Young-1-12-0 (13-183-2), Kennedy-1-11-0 (8-66-1), Howard-1-5-0 (2-29-0)
LAR-Fears-7-67-0 (84-1,080-9), Shaw-3-124-1 (32-659-7), Hirsch-2-33-0 (24-359-4), Hoerner-1-3-0 (18-216-0)

1949 NFL Quarterfinal-Philadelphia Eagles-34, Pittsburgh Steelers-8

December 18, 1949

Weather-43 degrees, 12 mph ENE

The Eagles showed Pittsburgh why they are the #1 seed in the 1949 NFL Playoffs with a dominating 34-8 victory. Philadelphia controlled both sides of the ball. Their defense held the Steelers to just 110 yards for the day. Their offense churned out 246 yards on the ground on 52 punishing carries, a healthy 4.7 average per carry. Steve Van Buren showed why he is a perennial All-Pro with 122 yards rushing, and Boss Pritchard scored 3 TD and finished with 85 more on 16 carries.

The Eagles will host the Cardinals next weekend for a berth in the NFL Championship Game.

Pittsburgh Steelers..(6-6-1)-0-5-3-0-8
Philadelphia Eagles.(12-1)-7-7-0-20-34

Phi-Pritchard 4 run (Patton Kick)
Pit-Safety, Davis sacks Thompson in end zone
Pit-Geri 34 FG
Phi-Van Buren 20 run (Patton Kick)
Pit-Geri 21 FG
Phi-Patton 22 FG
Phi-Pritchard 2 run (Patton Kick)
Phi-Pritchard 32 run (Patton Kick)
Phi-Patton 34 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Pit-Papach-8-25-0 (107-432-0), Nuzum-12-24-0 (151-635-5), Geri-9-16-0 (142-559-5), Gage-1-7-0 (47-235-3), Samuel-1-0-0 (40-163-1)
Phi-Van Buren-28-122-1 (291-1,268-12), Pritchard-16-85-3 (100-591-6), Scott-6-37-0 (46-232-1), Thompson-2-2-0 (17-19-2)

Passing
Pit-Geri-14-1-24-0-1 (91-32-578-5-6), Gage-7-4-20-0-0 (43-21-349-2-4)
Phi-Thompson-14-7-101-0-0 (228-123-1,828-16-11)

Receiving
Pit-Jansante-2-32-0 (31-477-4), Nickel-1-10-0 (27-643-3), Nuzum-1-4-0 (5-85-2), Papach-1-(-2)-0 (7-16-0)
Phi-Pritchard-2-33-0 (10-218-2), Pihos-2-12-0 (36-496-4), Van Buren-1-37-0 (5-125-1), Scott-1-12-0 (9-160-1), Armstrong-1-7-0 (25-278-5)

1949 NFL Quarterfinal-San Francisco 49ers-20, Chicago Bears-3

December 17, 1949

Weather-52 degrees, 8 mph S

The San Francisco defense throttled Chicago all evening as the Niners reached the semifinals with a 20-3 victory. Niners QB Frankie Albert was efficient, completing 12 of 19 for 200 yards through the air, including a 15-yard TD pass to Paul Salata to give the 49ers an early 7-0 lead. Chicago struggled to get anything going offensively, managing just 63 yards on the ground for the game, and only 57 yards of offense after halftime.

Chicago only trailed 10-3 entering the fourth quarter, but Len Eshmont intercepted Johnny Lujack to give the Niners prime field position, which they quickly converted into a two-touchdown lead.

Chicago Bears..........(9-4)-0-0-3-0-3
San Francisco 49ers.(10-3)-7-3-0-10-20

SF-Salata 15 pass from Albert (Vetrano Kick)
SF-Vetrano 25 FG
Chi-Lujack 36 FG
SF-Lilywhite 4 run (Vetrano Kick)
SF-Vetrano 21 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Chi-Gulyanics-10-53-0 (112-505-5), Rykovich-9-9-0 (97-349-6), Hoffman-6-1-0 (59-217-1)
SF-Perry-17-63-0 (132-846-8), Strzykalski-15-31-0 (81-318-3), Lilywhite-5-22-1 (74-285-3), Cathcart-10-18-0 (79-430-1), Albert-2-6-0 (37-255-3), Beals-1-1-0 (5-33-0)

Passing
Chi-Lujack-25-11-146-0-1 (337-173-2,804-23-23)
SF-Albert-19-12-200-1-0 (279-141-2,062-28-16)

Receiving
Chi-Keane-5-55-0 (52-751-6), Kavanaugh-3-31-0 (32-686-9), Sprinkle-1-42-0 (5-111-0), Hoffman-1-13-0 (26-386-2), Rykovich-1-5-0 (17-215-2)
SF-Beals-5-78-0 (49-756-12), Salata-3-77-1 (27-366-5), Strzykalski-2-34-0 (8-133-1), Perry-1-9-0 (12-155-3), Cathcart-1-2-0 (13-184-0)

1949 NFL Quarterfinal-Chicago Cardinals-21, Cleveland Browns-15 in OT

December 17, 1949

Weather-40 degrees, 16 mph S

The Chicago Cardinals earned the first postseason victory in franchise history over the mighty Cleveland browns in a 21-15 thriller. The Cardinals used 4 field goals from Vinnie Yablonski to build a 12-0 fourth quarter lead before Otto Graham led the Browns offense down the field twice in 8 minutes during the fourth quarter to take the lead, 15-12. Elmer Angsman broke a 55 yard run on the next possession, which led to a fifth Yablonski field goal and a 15-15 tie at the end of regulation.

After an exchange of punts in overtime, Charley Trippi swept the left side and took it 40 yards for the game winning touchdown. The Cardinals will most likely have to win three road games to win a championship, but they're off to an excellent start. This is the first time Cleveland hasn't gotten to the NFL title game in the brief history of their franchise.

Chicago Cardinals.(7-5-1)-0-6-3-6-6-21
Cleveland Browns.(9-2-2)-0-0-0-15-0-15

Chc-Yablonski 13 FG
Chc-Yablonski 33 FG
Chc-Yablonski 19 FG
Chc-Yablonski 32 FG
Cle-Gillom 13 pass from Graham (Groza Kick)
Cle-Speedie 15 pass from Graham (D. Jones Run)
Chc-Yablonski 17 FG
Chc-Trippi 40 run

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Chc-Angsman-19-152-0 (144-826-6), Trippi-16-140-1 (128-693-4), Harder-8-5-0 (114-452-7), Hardy-2-1-0 (9-7-1), Ravensberg-1-(-1)-0 (3-7-0)
Cle-Motley-19-123-0 (132-693-8), D. Jones-13-45-0 (90-357-4), Graham-5-17-0 (32-124-3), Boedecker-8-9-0 (58-278-1), Lahr-1-(-1)-0 (10-35-1), E. Jones-1-(-2)-0 (44-125-4)

Passing
Chc-Christman-24-5-58-0-0 (175-80-1,073-11-13), Hardy-9-4-36-0-0 (159-67-784-10-13)
Cle-Graham-35-18-236-2-0 (320-179-3,021-21-10)

Receiving
Chc-Trippi-2-19-0 (36-431-6), Harder-2-17-0 (14-117-1), Kutner-2-10-0 (32-475-5), Dewell-1-19-0 (21-254-2), Ravensberg-1-17-0 (11-220-3), Angsman-1-12-0 (6-69-0)
Cle-Speedie-7-84-1 (69-1,112-8), Lavelli-6-70-0 (34-545-7), Gillom-3-28-1 (26-387-1), Boedecker-1-48-0 (12-419-2), Motley-1-6-0 (16-197-0)