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.^[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.