It was on this day in 1932 that the first NFL Playoff game was played.  It took place between the Chicago Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans, and the Bears would go on to win by a score of 9-0.

The NFL’s first playoff game wasn’t originally scheduled at the beginning of the season, but it was required after the Bears (6-1-6) and the Spartans (6-1-4) finished the regular season with identical .857 winning percentages.  As a result, it was agreed that the two teams would take part in an impromptu championship game at Wrigley Field, but the location of the game was later moved indoors to Chicago Stadium due to poor weather conditions.

The game remained scoreless through the first three quarters, but in the fourth quarter the Bears were able to score a touchdown and later added a safety, en route to the 9-0 victory.

The interest generated by this playoff game forced the NFL to divide the league into two conference so that they could have a playoff game every season.  Nowadays, the NFL playoffs consists of four weeks of action, beginning with the Wild Card round, and ending with the Super Bowl.

Here is a look at the 49ers’ epic final drive during their 2012 Divisional Round victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Notable Birthdays

Charles Oakley, NBA – Born on December 18, 1963 (age 49) in Cleveland, Ohio

Lucious Harris, NBA – Born on December 18, 1970 (age 42) in Los Angeles, California

Peter Boulware, NFL – Born on December 18, 1974 (age 38) in Columbia, South Carolina