1935 NFL season

• 1. Nine Teams And Unequal Divisions

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  The 1935 NFL season began with just nine teams after the Cincinnati franchise and its St. Louis successor folded at the end of the previous year. This reduction left the league split into divisions of unequal sizes, creating an uneven competitive landscape from the start. The Boston Redskins played their home games at Fenway Park under head coach Eddie Casey. Brooklyn Dodgers operated out of Ebbets Field with Paul J. Schissler leading the squad. Chicago Bears called Wrigley Field home while George Halas served as their head coach. The Chicago Cardinals used Comiskey Park for their matches with Milan Creighton in charge. Detroit Lions played at University of Detroit Stadium where George Clark directed operations. Green Bay Packers utilized both City Stadium and Wisconsin State Fair Park under Curly Lambeau's leadership. New York Giants played at Polo Grounds with Steve Owen managing the team. Philadelphia Eagles played at Phillies Park under Lud Wray. Pittsburgh Pirates played at Forbes Field with Joe Bach as their head coach.

• 2. Snow Canceled Games And Schedules

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  Heavy rain and snow canceled a scheduled game between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles on November 17. Without this cancellation, all teams would have completed twelve regular season games that year. This event marked the first time any NFL team failed to play the same number of games as others since the league began tracking schedules. Standardization of the schedule was not achieved until the following season when every team played an equal number of contests. The weather disruption prevented what could have been a historic milestone for league-wide consistency. No other season saw such widespread scheduling irregularities until decades later when a Bills-Bengals game became a no contest due to player collapse during play. The 1935 season remained unique in its failure to achieve full schedule parity among all franchises.

• 3. Western Division Tight Race

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  Four teams competed fiercely for the Western Division title throughout the autumn months. On Thanksgiving Day, Detroit Lions defeated Chicago Bears 14-2 while Cardinals beat Green Bay Packers 9-7. These results left Detroit at 6-3-2 and Chicago Cardinals at 6-3-1. Three days later on December 1, Detroit crushed Brooklyn 28-0 while Chicago tied Pittsburgh 7-7. With these results, Detroit finished their season at 7-3-2 and eliminated both Green Bay and Chicago from contention. The Cardinals stood at 6-3-2 with one final game against the Bears scheduled for December 8. Chicago needed to win that last match to force a playoff for the division crown. However, the Bears won 13-0, securing the division championship for Detroit. Had modern tie-counting rules existed back then, Green Bay's 8-4 record would have tied Detroit's 7-3-2 mark at .667 winning percentage. This scenario would have required an additional playoff game to determine the division winner.

• 4. Hashmarks Moved Closer Center

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  The league implemented major rule changes regarding field markings during this season. Inbounds lines or hashmarks had been introduced two years prior but were now repositioned closer to the center of the playing field. Previously located ten yards from each sideline, they moved to fifteen yards apart, creating seventy feet between them. This new width remained in effect for ten seasons through 1944 before being adjusted again. Later modifications placed the hashmarks twenty yards from sidelines, forty feet apart, lasting twenty-seven seasons until further adjustments. Eventually the hashmark width matched goalpost measurements at eighteen and a half feet. These strategic shifts aimed to influence offensive play patterns by narrowing available running lanes. The change represented one of several experimental rule modifications tested during the mid-thirties era.

• 5. Detroit Lions Win Championship

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  The NFL Championship Game took place on December 15 at University of Detroit Stadium in Michigan. Detroit Lions defeated New York Giants with a decisive score of 26-7. This victory crowned the Lions as champions of the 1935 season. It marked their first championship title since joining the league. The Giants finished the regular season at 9-3 after winning comfortably in the Eastern Division. Brooklyn Dodgers hosted New York Giants at Ebbets Field on Thanksgiving Day where New York won 21-0. That win helped secure division honors for the Giants despite losing the final championship match. The game showcased strong defensive performances from both sides though Detroit's offense proved too powerful for New York to handle. No other team managed to challenge Detroit's dominance throughout the entire campaign.

• 6. Statistical Leaders And Records

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  Official statistics tracking entered its fourth year under NFL supervision during this season. Certain metrics like interceptions, punting averages, kickoff return yardage, and field goal percentages remained unrecorded despite later becoming standard measures. Ed Danowski led all passers with 794 yards while Arnie Herber followed closely with 729 yards. Johnny Gildea completed 529 passing yards for Pittsburgh Pirates. Doug Russell rushed for 499 yards leading rushers while Ernie Caddel added 450 yards for Detroit. Kink Richards contributed 449 rushing yards for New York Giants. Charley Malone accumulated 433 receiving yards for Boston Redskins. Tod Goodwin gained 432 receiving yards for New York Giants. Don Hutson recorded 420 receiving yards for Green Bay Packers. Hutson also scored seven touchdowns leading all scorers alongside Dale Burnett who totaled six scores. Ernie Caddel, Dutch Clark, and Bill Karr each finished with six touchdowns as well.