1935 Chicago Bears season

The 1935 season was the Chicago Bears' 16th in the National Football League and 13th season under head coach George Halas. The team was unable to match on their 13–0 record from 1934 and finished with a 6–4–2 record and finishing in a tie for third (and last) place in the Western Division, and failed to return to the championship game. The Bears had little trouble with the weaker teams in the league, led the league in scoring, and occasionally showed signs of brilliance against top-flight competition, but for the most part, they were outclassed by the Lions, Packers, and Giants. The biggest problem was the veterans from the 1920s had largely retired or were past their prime but not enough young talent had emerged to offset these losses. In particular, the retirement of Link Lyman and Red Grange hurt the team, especially on defense. Additionally, Bronko Nagurski and Bill Hewitt were injured for large portions of the season and could not play to their normal level.[1]

1935 Chicago Bears season
Head coachGeorge Halas
Home fieldWrigley Field
Results
Record6–4–2
Division placeT-3rd NFL Western
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Season highlights

Keith Molesworth was the brightest spot on offense and was a triple threat from the halfback position. Bernie Masterson ran the T-formation adequately but was not particularly accurate as a passer. Luke Johnsos was the most reliable end and led the team in receptions. Gene Ronzani led the club in rushing, but Feathers, Molesworth, and Manders shared rushing duties. Manders had a subpar year as a kicker, making only 1 of 8 field goals. The Bears lost to Green Bay twice, to Detroit once (tying the Lions in the other game), split the series with New York, and beat the Redskins in their only meeting. After a 5–2 start, the Bears faded in the end, winning only 1 of their last 5 games, with one tie. Of note, every other team in the NFL ran either the Single Wing or the A Formation (a variant of the Single Wing run only by the Giants), but the Bears still used the T formation. Many today falsely believe the Bears of the 1940s "invented" the modern T and then everyone adopted it. The truth is everyone ran the T when the league began in 1920. All the other teams switched to the Single Wing after it was perfected in the college game. Meanwhile, coach George Halas and his assistants perfected the T, which they never changed from, and other teams switched back from the Single Wing only after the Bears of the 1940s demonstrated the T's superiority.[2]

Future Hall of Fame players

Other leading players

Players departed from 1934

Schedule
DateOpponentLocationResultScore
September 22Green Bay PackersEast StadiumLoss0–7
September 29Pittsburgh PiratesForbes FieldWin23–7
October 13Philadelphia EaglesBaker BowlWin39–0
October 20Brooklyn DodgersWrigley FieldWin24–14
October 27Green Bay PackersWrigley FieldLoss14–17
November 3New York GiantsPolo GroundsWin20–3
November 10Boston RedskinsFenway ParkWin30–14
November 17New York GiantsWrigley FieldLoss0–3
November 24Detroit LionsWrigley FieldTie20–20
November 28Detroit LionsTitan StadiumLoss2–14
December 1Chicago CardinalsWrigley FieldTie7–7
December 8Chicago CardinalsWrigley FieldWin13–0

Standings
NFL Western Division
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
Detroit Lions 7 3 2 .700 3–2–2 191 111 W2
Green Bay Packers 8 4 0 .667 4–4 181 96 W1
Chicago Cardinals 6 4 2 .600 3–2–2 99 97 L1
Chicago Bears 6 4 2 .600 1–3–2 192 106 W1

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

References
  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1935_roster.htm
  2. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1935/gamelog/
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