1943 NFL season
The 1943 NFL season marked the 24th year of the National Football League. A total of 38 regular season games were scheduled, starting on Sunday, September 19 and culminating on Sunday, December 12.
| Regular season | |
|---|---|
| Duration | September 19 – December 26, 1943 |
| East Champions | Washington Redskins |
| West Champions | Chicago Bears |
| Championship Game | |
| Champions | Chicago Bears |
Steagles
Due to the exodus of players who had left to serve in World War II, the Cleveland Rams were granted permission to suspend operations for this season, while the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers merged for this one season, with the combined team (known as Phil-Pitt and called the "Steagles" by fans) playing four home games in Philadelphia and two in Pittsburgh. With only 8 teams playing, the 1943 season ties the 1932 season for the fewest teams in league history.
The season ended when the Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins, 41–21, in the NFL Championship Game played the day after Christmas, the first time in NFL history that a playoff game was played so late in the year.