Ever wonder why this weekend's round of the NFL playoffs is the "Divisional" round? It dates back to the days of two divisions, when a tie for first would be broken by having the two teams play an extra game. In 1947, the Steelers and Eagles played one of those games at Forbes Field.
The Steelers finished their 1947 regular season at home with the Boston Yanks on Dec. 7. The rain and chill held the crowd down to 31,398, the smallest of the season; it was the first game where there were no standing-room customers on the field.
The Yanks had just gotten the ball back late in the third quarter, with Pittsburgh hanging on to a 10-7 lead.
Public address announcer Ray Downey told the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Cardinals are now leading the Eagles, 10-7." A roar went up, and the Steelers' defense held. After the punt, Pittsburgh drove for the touchdown that led to the 17-7 final score.
In Philadelphia, the Chicago Cardinals came back from a 7-3 halftime deficit to win, 45-21. The Cards were tied with the Bears at 8-3, and those teams would meet at Wrigley Field in the last regular-season game to decide the Western Division.
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