Bears 73–0 vs. Redskins (1940)
The 73–0 championship game remains the most lopsided in NFL history.
The 1940 season was the Chicago Bears' 21st in the National Football League. The team matched their 8–3 record from 1939 under head coach George Halas. Behind NFL great Sid Luckman, the club gained a berth in the NFL Championship. There the club stormed the Washington Redskins under the brand new formation known as the T formation to claim their fourth league title. This was the first of four consecutive NFL Western titles for the Bears.
- Event
- 1940 NFL Championship Game
- Date
- December 8, 1940
- Location
- Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C.
- Final Score
- Chicago Bears 73, Washington Redskins 0
- Key Offensive Formation
- T-Formation with Man in Motion
- Notable Players
- Sid Luckman, Bronko Nagurski, George McAfee
Lore & Background
The Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73–0 in the NFL's biggest scoring and most lopsided game in NFL history.
In Their Own Story
The December wind howled off the Potomac, biting at the exposed skin of fans in Griffith Stadium, but inside the bowl, the air was thick with confusion. The Redskins' defense, still riding high from their recent 21–6 demolition of Chicago, lined up expecting the familiar, thunderous thud of the single-wing run game. Instead, they saw Sid Luckman standing calmly under center, looking less like a football player and more like a conductor waiting for his orchestra to begin. "Go!" Halas's signal sliced through the noise. The snap came, and suddenly the backfield erupted into a blur of motion. George McAfee swept left, reversed direction, and vanished into a seam; Luckman faked a handoff to the immovable object that was Bronko Nagurski, drawing every Redskins defender toward the line of scrimmage before tucking the ball himself and sprinting right for an easy gain. The Washington linebackers froze, their eyes wide behind their leather helmets, unable to process the sheer velocity of the deception. It wasn't just a play; it was a glimpse into the future, delivered with such speed and precision that the old guard didn't even know they were being erased.
Reader's Guide
The source article does not mention Dan Fortmann's scoring details, so it is unclear whether he scored via pass reception or run.
Did You Know?
- The Bears defeated the NFL All-Stars 28–14 on December 29, 1940.
Frequently Asked Questions
What event does the 'Bears 73–0 vs. Redskins' entry refer to?
This refers to the 1940 NFL Championship Game played on December 8, 1940, at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., where the Chicago Bears demolished the Washington Redskins by a score of 73–0. It remains the most lopsided victory in championship history and stands as the largest margin of defeat ever recorded for a team in an NFL title contest.
Why is the 73–0 championship win considered a turning point in NFL history?
The game showcased the dominance of the T-formation with a man in motion, effectively ending the era of traditional single-wing offenses by proving superior speed and tactical flexibility. George Halas's strategic shift allowed quarterback Sid Luckman to orchestrate a multifaceted attack that overwhelmed Washington's defense at every level.
Which Bears stars led the offense during the 73–0 rout?
Quarterback Sid Luckman served as the central conductor of the revolutionary offense, directing plays while also contributing significantly on the ground and through the air. The attack was further powered by Hall of Famers like Bronko Nagurski and George McAfee, who exploited Washington's inability to contain the new formation's misdirection and speed.
What NFL records does the Bears' 73–0 victory still hold today?
This contest holds the record for the highest point total scored by a team in an NFL Championship Game and remains the largest margin of victory in title game history. It also stands as the only shutout in championship play where the winning team surpassed 70 points, cementing its status as the most one-sided result ever seen in a league-deciding match.
Where was the 1940 championship game played, and who were the Bears' opponents?
The match took place at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., pitting the Chicago Bears against their division rivals, the Washington Redskins. The Bears secured a decisive shutout on the road, effectively dismantling the Redskins to claim the NFL title without allowing a single point or letting Washington gain significant ground.
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