The 1934 National Football League season was a pivotal year marked by significant team relocations, rule adjustments, and remarkable individual and team performances. Spanning from September 9 to December 9, 1934, the season culminated in a championship game that denied one team an undefeated record. This period saw the league evolve, with new offensive and defensive benchmarks being set, and strategic changes influencing the game's flow and outcomes.
The season showcased a dynamic league striving for greater excitement and competitive balance, laying groundwork for future developments in professional football.
League Dynamics and Team Movements
The 1934 NFL season featured a number of teams across the USA Midwest and Northeast, including the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Redskins, Chicago Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Lions, and St. Louis Gunners. A notable change before the season began was the relocation of the Portsmouth Spartans from Ohio to Detroit, Michigan, where they were rebranded as the Detroit Lions. This move marked a new chapter for the franchise, which would go on to establish a long-standing tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day, a practice that has continued every year since.
The Cincinnati Reds faced significant challenges during the season. After losing their first eight games with a combined score of 243-10, the team was suspended for failing to pay league dues. To fill the void in their schedule, the St. Louis Gunners, an independent team, stepped in to play the Reds' final three games. In a surprising turn of events, the Gunners managed to secure a shutout victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates, demonstrating their capability despite their independent status.
Offensive Explosions and Defensive Dominance
The 1934 season was characterized by a significant increase in offensive output across the league, particularly on the ground. The Chicago Bears, for the second consecutive year, led the league in offense, accumulating an impressive 3,750 yards, which was over 700 yards more than their 1933 total. Other teams, including the Boston Redskins, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers, also surpassed the league's high-water mark for yards gained from the previous year. This surge in yardage was largely attributed to an emphasis on the running game.
Despite the overall increase in offensive yardage, total passing statistics showed a decline. The average completion rate fell to 30.4%, even with a similar number of passing attempts compared to 1933. This counterintuitive result was due to increased coaching attention on pass defense, which inadvertently opened up more running lanes. A standout performance came from Bears rookie running back Beattie Feathers, who set a new league record with 1,004 rushing yards in 11 games, averaging an astounding 9.9 yards per carry. He shattered the previous league record by nearly 300 yards, highlighting the dominance of the ground game.
On the defensive side, the Detroit Lions emerged as the top unit in 1934. The newly relocated and rebranded team, formerly the Portsmouth Spartans, began their season with an incredible streak, shutting out their first seven opponents and achieving a 10-0 record. Although they later lost to the Packers once and the Bears twice, falling out of contention, the Lions finished the year allowing only 59 points, an average of a mere 4.5 points per contest. Their defensive prowess was a defining feature of the season.
Rule Changes and Championship Climax
A major rule change implemented for the 1934 season involved moving the goal posts to the goal line. This alteration was intended to increase the number of field goals and reduce the occurrence of tied games. The rule change proved effective, as more than 20 games were decided by three points or less, and for the first time since the league's inception, no games ended in a tie. This adjustment significantly impacted game strategy and outcomes, contributing to a more decisive and exciting season.
The 1934 NFL season culminated in a championship game between the Eastern Division champion New York Giants and the undefeated Western Division champion Chicago Bears. The Bears entered the game with a perfect record, aiming for the league's first-ever undefeated, untied season. However, in the championship game held on December 9 in New York City, the Giants emerged victorious with a score of 30-13, denying the Bears their historic perfect season. This dramatic conclusion underscored the competitive nature of the league and provided a memorable end to a season filled with significant developments and record-breaking performances.
