The most dominant era for the Chicago Bears was the 1940s. The Bears were the Western Conference champions five times from 1940 through 1946. The team lost several players and George Halas to the war effort in 1944 and 45. Chicago won four championships in the 40s. Their opponent in three of their five title games were the Washington Redskins. During that amazing run of championship appearances, it was the Redskins that defeated them in the 1942 title game.
During this time, the Bears rosters was filled with some of the most historic players in the history of the franchise: Sid Luckmam, Bill Osmanski, George McAfee, Bulldog Turner, Ken Kavanaugh, George Musso, and Joe Stydaher were all teammates that made history on december 8, 1940, at Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C.
The Redskins were the eastern conference champions. Washington ended the regular season with a 9-2 record, and led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Sammy Baugh, led the league in scoring. As gametime approached, the Redskins liked their chances, having defeated Chiicago three weeks earlier, holding the Bears to just three points in a hard fought game. Washington edged the Bears 7-3.
Chicago took the opening kickoff and Bill Osmanski broke off a 68 yard run for a touchdown in the first minute of the game. By the end of the first quarter, Sid Luckman scored on a one-yard run, and Joe Maniaci added a 42-yard run for 6 points. The Bears led 21-0.
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Sid Luckman added a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ken Kavanaugh for the only score of the second quarter and the Bears headed to the lockerroom with a 28-0 lead over the shell-shocked Redskins.
In the third quarter, the defense joined the scoring fun. Hamilton Pool returned an interception 15 yards to make the score 35-0. After Ray Nolting ran in from 23 yards away, future hall of famer’s George McAffe and Bulldog Turner ran back interceptions for scores. After three quarters the score was 54-0.
Harry Clarke (44 yard run and a one yard score) and Gary Famiglietti 2-yard run capped off the scoring in the 4th quarter. According to legend, the Bears were asked by the officials to stopp kicking extra points, because they were running out of footballs.
The final score was Bears 73, Washington 0.
The Bears running game dominated the afternoon. 12 ballcarriers ran the ball 53 times for 381 yards and seven touchdowns. The defense had eight interceptions, retuning three of those INTs for TDs.
When people talk about records unlikely to be broken, this record has to be on the top of your list.
New and Notes
Teven Jenkins was designated to return from the injury list. The Bears have 21 days to add him to the active roster. He was listed as a full participant on Monday’s injury report ahead of the Bears Thursday night game.
According to head coach Matt Eberflus, Chase Claypool was told to stay away from Halas Hall this week and surely will not fly with the team to Washington this week.
Jaylon Johnson (Hamstring) and Eddie Jackson (Foot) were listed as DNP.
