Throwback Thursday: Week 1

On this date in 1950, the Philadelphia Eagles took on the Cleveland Browns in what was considered to be, unofficially, the first super bowl ever. It was the biggest game in the history of the NFL at the time, as it pitted against the 1948 & 1949 NFL champion Eagles and the four-time running champion of the All-American Football Conference, the Browns.

On Saturday September 16, 1950 the 31st National Football League season opened up in Philadelphia’s Municipal Stadium in front of 71,000 fans.

Those in attendance witnessed the innovative passing game of the Browns vs the staunch defense of the Eagles, which held opponents to 7 points or less in 14 of 26 games played between 1948 and 1949.

They say defense wins championships but the Browns would go on to upset our Eagles 35-10, and forever impact the way the game was played. There were consequences beyond just the field of play. This victory would also seal the merging of three AAFC teams - Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts into the NFL.