The Off-Season: Top NFL Franchises in the 1920s

The 1920 season marked the establishment of the American Professional Football Association (APFA). In 1922, the league re-identified itself as the National Football League (NFL). Throughout the 1920's, the league did not feature championship games, thus, the team with the best regular season records claimed the NFL championship. The Akron Pros claimed the first APFA Championship in 1920 with eight wins, zero losses, and three ties. Below is a list of the top franchises from the NFL's inaugural decade.

Chicago Bears (Decatur Staleys, Chicago Staleys)

Unless you are a hardcore Bears fans, or a comprehensive NFL historian, you likely were unaware that the franchise began their existence in the league as the Decatur Staleys. They relocated from Decatur, Illinions to Chicago in 1921, becoming the Chicago Staleys. In 1922, the organization finally identified the team as the Chicago Bears. The team was perhaps the most stable throughout the 1920's, only encountering a single losing season. They earned the 1921 NFL Championship by winning 9 games. They only lost one game, and were involved in one tie game. They finished second in the NFL standings five times. The team was primarily led by owner, coach, and player George Halas.

Canton/Cleveland Bulldogs

If you think the 1972 Miami Dolphins, or perhaps the 2007 New England Patriots were impressive during their undefeated endeavors, then you will be amazed at the Canton Bulldogs accomplishments in 1922 and 1923. The Bulldogs were undefeated in two successive seasons. They won 21 games without a single loss in those two seasons combined, only scoring three ties. Despite their remarkable two-year run, the team was sold to the owner of the Cleveland Indians, who renamed the team, the Cleveland Bulldogs. Several of the Canton players joined the Cleveland team, and they won the 1924 NFL Championship with seven wins, one loss, and one tie. The team was sold back to the city of Canton, Ohio in 1925 where they stumbled to a mediocre season of four wins and four losses. The Cleveland Bulldogs remained in the NFL, but as a separate franchise. The 1926 season was the final for the Canton Bulldogs. The Cleveland Bulldogs folded in 1927.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers edged out the Frankford Yellow Jackets for the third spot on the list. The Packers had stability as they competed in nine seasons, as well as an undefeated championship season in 1929 in which they won 12 games and were involved in one tie game. Furthermore, they owned a winning record at the conclusion of every season from their entrance to the NFL in 1921 all throughout the remainder of the decade. Like the Bears, the Packers coach Curly Lambeau was also a player. Lambeau became an esteemed name in Wisconsin throughout the decade, and well into future decades.

Honorable mentions include the Frankford Yellow Jackets; Chicago Cardinals; New York Giants; Akron Pros; Providence Steam Rollers

Resource: Pro Football Reference