1936 Chicago Bears season explained

Team:Chicago Bears
Year:1936
Record:9–3
Division Place:2nd NFL Western
Coach:George Halas
Stadium:Wrigley Field
Playoffs:Did not qualify
Shortnavlink:Bears seasons

The 1936 season was the Chicago Bears' 17th in the National Football League and 14th season under head coach George Halas. The team was able to improve on their 6–4–2 record from 1935 and finished with a 9–3 record. The team also finished in second place in the Western Division behind the Green Bay Packers. After week 10, the Bears were tied with the Packers in first place with identical 9–1 records, having split their season series. However, the club swooned at the end of the year, losing their last two games on the road to Detroit and the Cardinals. Green Bay went on to easily defeat the Boston Redskins and win the NFL title.

1936 NFL draft

See main article: article and 1936 NFL Draft.

Season highlights

The Bears featured a high-powered offense with a dynamic rushing scheme and a "vertical" passing attack. Bill Hewitt starred at end, catching 15 passes for 358 yards and 6 touchdowns (this fine performance was overshadowed by that of Don Hutson, who led the league in receiving). Bernie Masterson and Carl Brumbaugh shared quarterbacking duties, although coach Halas continued to feature passing, rushing, and receiving from all the backs in his still fairly primitive T-formation scheme. As a team, the Bears averaged 18.9 yards per pass completion for 17 touchdowns. Keith Molesworth continued as a triple-threat from the halfback position. Bronko Nagurski returned to form and led the team in rushing. Rookie linemen and future hall of famers Joe Stydahar and Danny Fortmann joined tackle George Musso on the line. Rookie Ray Nolting joined the strong backfield. Jack Manders had a fine season as a rusher and kicker, scoring 4 touchdowns while making 7 of 8 field goals and 17 of 21 PATs. He was second in the league in scoring, behind the Lions' all-purpose threat Dutch Clark. The Bear defense led the league in points allowed, giving up only 94 points and allowing more than 14 points only once, to the Packers.

Future Hall of Fame players

Other leading players

Players departed from 1935

Schedule

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WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenue
1Bye
2September 20at Green Bay PackersW 30–31–0City Stadium
3September 27at Philadelphia EaglesW 17–02–0Municipal Stadium
4October 4at Pittsburgh PiratesW 27–93–0Forbes Field
5October 11Chicago CardinalsW 7–34–0Wrigley Field
6October 18Pittsburgh PiratesW 26–75–0Wrigley Field
7October 25Detroit LionsW 12–106–0Wrigley Field
8November 1Green Bay PackersL 10–216–1Wrigley Field
9November 8New York GiantsW 25–77–1Polo Grounds
10November 15at Boston RedskinsW 26–08–1Fenway Park
11November 22at Philadelphia EaglesW 28–79–1Philadelphia Municipal Stadium
12November 26at Detroit LionsL 7–139–2Titan Stadium
12November 29Chicago CardinalsL 7–149–3Wrigley Field
13Bye
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.