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
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