1947 NFL Championship

Lore & Background

This was the Cardinals' last playoff win as a franchise until January 2, 1999; at 51 years and five days, it was the longest post-season win drought in NFL history. As of 2026, this is the Cardinals’ last championship, and they now hold the longest title drought in North American sports. The team moved to St. Louis as the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960 and Arizona as the Phoenix Cardinals in 1988 (changing to Arizona Cardinals in 1994).

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across Wrigley Field as the fourth quarter ticked away. Cardinals players, clad in their cardinal red and white wool jerseys, huddled tightly against the biting Chicago chill. Jim Benton wiped sweat from his brow, eyes locked on the playbook taped to his wrist. The crowd roared—a deafening wave of sound that vibrated through the grass. With a snap and a roar, the ball spiraled into the end zone, sealing a destiny that would echo for generations.

Reader's Guide

The game featured the Western Division champion Chicago Cardinals (9–3) and the Eastern Division champion Philadelphia Eagles (8–4). The Cardinals built a 14–0 lead in the second quarter, then the teams traded touchdowns. The Eagles closed the gap to 28–21 with five minutes to go, but the Cardinals controlled the ball the rest of the game on an extended drive to win the title. This was the only NFL title game played at Comiskey Park and is one of two Cardinals NFL Championship victories.

Did You Know?

• The temperature at kickoff was 29 °F (−2 °C). On a frozen field, the Cardinals outgained Philadelphia on the ground 280 yards to just 60.
• The Cardinals' win kept the NFL title within the city of Chicago; the North Side's Bears had won the previous season.
• The team did not receive championship rings until the 50th anniversary of their win in 1997.

The Historic 1947 Title Victory

In 1947, the Chicago Cardinals achieved their second NFL championship, marking a significant high point in the franchise's early history. This victory came just eight months after the passing of team owner Charles Bidwill, adding a layer of poignancy to the accomplishment. The Cardinals faced the formidable Philadelphia Eagles in the championship game, emerging victorious to claim the title nearly two decades before the inaugural Super Bowl. This triumph was particularly notable because it was the first time an NFL title was decided specifically through a designated championship game rather than by regular-season standings alone. However, the moment of glory was short-lived; the team returned to defend their crown in 1948 but suffered a heartbreaking 7–0 defeat against the Eagles again, this time in a snowstorm in Philadelphia. Despite the subsequent loss and years of mediocrity that followed, the 1947 championship remains the franchise's last title victory, initiating a record-breaking drought that continues to define their modern narrative.

A Franchise Defined by Relocation

The Cardinals hold the distinction of being the oldest continuously run professional football franchise in the United States, originally established as the Morgan Athletic Club in Chicago in 1898. Their journey from the South Side of Chicago to the Phoenix metropolitan area is a unique saga of survival and adaptation within the NFL. After joining the league as a charter member in 1920, the team spent nearly four decades in Chicago before financial struggles and declining attendance prompted a move to St. Louis in 1960. There, they were known by various nicknames like the 'Gridbirds' or 'Football Cardinals' to distinguish themselves from the local baseball team. In 1988, seeking a fresh start, the franchise relocated again to Tempe, Arizona, eventually settling into State Farm Stadium in Glendale in 2006. This extensive history of relocation makes them one of only two original charter members still operating today, alongside the Chicago Bears.

An Unbroken Home Playoff Record

One of the most remarkable statistical anomalies in Cardinals history is their perfect record in home playoff games. Despite a career win-loss record that reflects numerous losing seasons and a long championship drought, the team has never lost a postseason contest on their own turf. This flawless 5–0 home playoff record spans decades and includes their historic 1947 NFL Championship Game victory in Chicago. The streak continued through modern eras with wins during the 2008–09 playoffs, which saw them reach Super Bowl XLIII, as well as victories in the 2009–10 and 2015–16 postseasons. This unique achievement stands in stark contrast to their overall playoff struggles, where they have won only seven games in total across eleven appearances. It remains a singular point of pride for an organization that has otherwise faced significant challenges in reaching the pinnacle of professional football since their last title win.

The Longest Active Title Drought

Since their final championship victory in 1947, the Cardinals have endured the longest active championship drought in North American sports history. As of 2025, this span covers 78 seasons, a period marked by inconsistent performance and missed opportunities to reclaim glory. The only franchise with a longer inactive streak is the Cleveland Guardians, who last won their World Series in 1948, just one year after the Cardinals' triumph. While the team has managed to secure five division titles since moving to Arizona and reached an NFC Championship Game in 2008–09, they have been unable to convert these successes into a league title. This prolonged absence from the championship stage has become a defining characteristic of the franchise's modern identity, overshadowing their status as the league's oldest continuous team.