1941 NFL playoffs

The 1941 National Football League season resulted in a tie for the Western Division championship between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, requiring an unscheduled one-game playoff, making this the debut edition of the NFL playoffs. The two teams had finished the regular season with identical 10–1 records and had split their season series, with the road teams winning.^[1] The Bears were defending league champions, and the Packers had won the NFL title in 1939.

1941 NFL playoffs

Dates	December 14-21, 1941
Season	1941
Teams	3
Games played	2
NFL Championship Game site	Wrigley Field Chicago, Illinois
Defending champions	Chicago Bears
Champions	Chicago Bears
Runners-up	New York Giants
Conference runners-up	Green Bay Packers
NFL playoffs 1943 →

This divisional championship game was played on December 14 at Wrigley Field.^[2] The winner then hosted the New York Giants (8–3) on December 21 in the NFL Championship Game.

Tournament bracket

	Western Division playoff					NFL Championship
						E	New York	9
	W	Green Bay	14			W	Chicago Bears	37
	W	Chicago Bears	33

Western Division championship

See also: Bears–Packers rivalry

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	7	0	7	0	14
Bears	6	24	0	3	33

Game information

First Quarter GB – Hinkle, 1 run (Hutson kick) GB 7–0 CH – Gallarneau, 81 punt ret. (kick blocked) GB 7–6 Second Quarter CH – field goal Snyder 24 CH 9–7 CH – Standlee, 3 run (Stydahar kick) CH 16–7 CH – Standlee, 2 run (Stydahar kick) CH 23–7 CH – Swisher, 9 run (Stydahar kick) CH 30–7 Third Quarter GB – Van Every, 10 pass from Isbell (Hutson kick) CH 30–14 Fourth Quarter CH – field goal Snyder 26 CH 33–14

Chicago Bears 33, Green Bay Packers 14

at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois

• Date: December 14, 1941

This was the first postseason meeting in the history of the Bears-Packers rivalry.

NFL Championship game

Further information: 1941 NFL Championship Game

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	6	0	3	0	9
Bears	3	6	14	14	37

Game information

First Quarter CH – field goal Snyder 14 CH 3–0 NY – Franck, 31 pass from Leemans (kick failed) NY 6–3 Second Quarter CH – field goal Snyder 39 6–6 CH – field goal Snyder 37 CH 9–6 Third Quarter NY – field goal Cuff 16 9–9 CH – Standlee, 2 run (Snyder kick) CH 16–9 CH – Standlee, 7 run (Maniaci kick) CH 23–9 Fourth Quarter CH – Mcafee, 5 run (Artoe kick) CH 30–9 CH – Kavanaugh, 42 fumble return (McLean kick) CH 37–9

Chicago Bears 37, New York Giants 9

at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois

• Date: December 21, 1941

References

1. "Bears beat Cardinals 34-24, tie for lead". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. December 8, 1941. p. 16.
2. "Bears crush Packers, 33 to 14; enter playoff". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. December 15, 1941. p. 18.