The 1955 Season

The Playoff Seeds for 1955...

#6 seed-Green Bay Packers (6-6)
Last Playoff Appearance...1944, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...2-3, 1941 NFL Champions
Pro Bowl-FB Howie Ferguson, RE Billy Howton, LDE John Martinkovic, RS Bobby Dillon, LB/DE Roger Zatkoff

Green Bay is back in the postseason for the first time in 11 years. The Packers were a .500 team in 1955, as they were both outgained and outscored by their opponents. Howie Ferguson led the ground attack for the Packers and Tobin Rote threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 17 TD.

#5 seed-New York Giants (6-5-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1955, NFL Champions
Playoff Record...11-5, 3 NFL Championships (1950, 1951, 1954)
Pro Bowl-LH Frank Gifford, LT Rosey Brown, RG Jack Stroud, LS/PR Emlen Tunnell, K/LH Kyle Rote

The Giants had a winning record in 1954, but a hot playoff run made them a champion for the 3rd time in 5 years. They are back in 1955, riding a 5-game unbeaten streak. The Giants were 2-5 after 7 games, but are 4-0-1 since then.

#4 seed-Washington Redskins (8-4)
Last Playoff Appearance...1953, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...5-3, 2 NFL Championships (1942, 1943)
Pro Bowl-C Harry Ulinski, LDE Gene Brito, LDT Volney Peters, LLB LaVern Torgeson, MLB Chuck Drazenovic, DB/HB Joe Scudero, P/QB Eddie LeBaron

Washington's defense allowed the 2nd fewest points and rushing yards, helping the Redskins close the season with 5 wins in 6 games and a playoff berth. Washington used a running back by committee approach, as 4 different runners gained at least 300 yards rushing.

#3 seed-Chicago Bears (8-4)
Last Playoff Appearance...1954, lost NFL Quarterfinal
Playoff Record...2-11
Pro Bowl-LH John Hoffman, LE Harlon Hill, LT Bill Wightkin, RG Stan Jones, MLB Bill George, FB Rick Casares, P/QB Ed Brown

Chicago features the top ranked offense and running game in the NFL. The Bears got off to an 0-3 start before winning 8 of 9 to close the season. Chicago's top 2 RB, Rick Casares and Bobby Watkins, combined for over 1,200 yards and 12 TD on the ground. Harlon Hill led the receivers with 9 TD catches.

#2 seed-Los Angeles Rams (8-3-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1953, lost NFL Quarterfinal
Playoff Record...6-8
Pro Bowl-FB Tank Younger, LH Ron Waller, LG Duane Putnam, LDE Paul Miller, LDT Bud McFadin, RDE Andy Robustelli, RS Will Sherman, K/RLB Les Richter, P/QB Norm Van Brocklin

The Rams enter the postseason on a 4-game unbeaten streak. The Rams, like the Bears, feature a 2 RB attack, Ron Waller and Tank Younger. QB Norm Van Brocklin has 2 cagey vets at receiver, Tom Fears and Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch.

#1 seed-Cleveland Browns (9-2-1)
Last Playoff Appearance...1954, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...11-6, 3 NFL Championships (1946, 1948, 1953)
Pro Bowl-RH Fred Morrison, LE Pete Brewster, LG Abe Gibron, LDE Carlton Massey, RDT Don Colo, RLB Walt Michaels, LS Ken Konz, K/LT Lou Groza

Cleveland was the best team in the regular season, leading the NFL in scoring, fewest points allowed, defense, and rushing defense. Cleveland's offense is led by QB Otto Graham, in his final season as a pro. The Browns have only lost once in their last 11 games.

1955 Playoffs

December 18, 1955
New York Giants at Washington Redskins, 3 pm
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 6:30 pm

December 25, 1955
lowest seed at Cleveland Browns, 3 pm
highest seed at Los Angeles Rams, 6:30 pm

January 1, 1956
NFL Championship, 6:30 pm