By Darin Introduction: Clashing Giants in the Shadow of War
In the heart of World War II, the National Football League was dominated by two titans: the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears. This rivalry, defined by star quarterbacks Sammy Baugh (Redskins) and Sid Luckman (Bears), came to a head in the 1942 NFL Championship. The setting was electric: Washington D.C.’s Griffith Stadium, packed with 36,000 fans, including high-ranking military officials eager for a break from wartime duties.
The stakes were monumental. The Bears came in as the “Monsters of the Midway,” having completed a flawless 11-0 regular season, the last undefeated run in the NFL until the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They had crushed opponents by an average of 26 points. But for Washington, this was more than a title game—it was a chance for revenge following the historic, humiliating 73-0 loss to the Bears in the 1940 Championship.
The Undefeated Juggernaut
The 1942 Chicago Bears, orchestrated by legendary coach George Halas and innovator Clark Shaughnessy (who brought the revolutionary T-formation offense to the NFL), were considered one of the greatest regular-season teams ever assembled. They recorded four shutouts and were untouchable.
However, the Washington Redskins, under coach Ray Flaherty, were not caught by surprise this time. Unlike the 1940 debacle, the Redskins had scouted the Bears’ T-formation meticulously, using former player Wayne Milner to find the “chinks in the armor.” Washington finished its season strong at 10-1, with its only loss coming against its division rivals, the New York Giants.
Championship Game: A Defensive Battle
The game in Washington, D.C., played out as a dramatic, low-scoring affair—a testament to the Redskins’ defense’s improved preparation.
The Bears struck first in the second quarter when defensive player Lee Arto recovered a Washington fumble and ran it back 52 yards for a touchdown. After a missed extra point, Chicago held a precarious 6-0 lead.
Washington answered immediately. The great Sammy Baugh—a true three-way player who excelled as a quarterback, punter (holding the single-season punting average record for decades), and defensive back—connected with two-way standout Wilbur Moore. Moore, who had set up the drive with an interception, finished it by hauling in a spectacular 42-yard touchdown pass from Baugh, fighting off a defender and falling into the end zone. The successful extra point gave the Redskins the lead, 7-6.
The Goal Line Stand
The score remained tight until the third quarter. The Redskins put together a sustained, power-running drive, featuring running back Andy Farkas. Farkas ran the ball nine times on an 11-play possession, culminating in a dramatic 1-yard touchdown run. As described by The Times’ colorful reporters, Farkas “climbed up to the peak [of the pile] and slid down the other side, head first to a touchdown.” With the conversion, the score stood at 14-6.
The final quarter saw the undefeated Bears mount two desperate drives. The first was stifled when Sammy Baugh, demonstrating his defensive prowess, intercepted a pass in the end zone. The second, and final, threat saw the Bears drive all the way to the Washington 1-yard line late in the game. But the exhausted Washington defense held firm, completing one of the most famous goal-line stands in NFL Championship history to secure the victory and run out the clock.
Conclusion
The 14-6 victory was a magnificent upset and a moment of sweet vindication for Washington. They not only avenged their worst defeat but also handed the seemingly invincible 1942 Chicago Bears their single loss of the season, cementing their place as one of the most resilient championship teams in NFL history.
Big thank you to our guest Mike Richman of MikeRichmanJournalist.com. Special thank you to the work shared by Pro-Football-Reference.com and the other sources linked in this post for helping us to tell the gridiron stories of the day.
