The 1948 season featured the highest per-game, per-team scoring in NFL history, with the average team scoring 23.2 points per game.[2] This record stood for 65 years until 2013.[3]
Plastic helmets are prohibited. This rule was enacted because critics argued that they were being used more as a weapon than protection.[1]
A flexible artificial tee is permitted at the kickoff.[1]
When the intended passer is tackled behind the line of scrimmage, the game clock will stop temporarily until any receivers who have gone down field have had a reasonable time to return.[citation needed]
When the offense is called for delay of game, the defense may decline the 5-yard distance penalty.[citation needed]
If a foul occurs behind the line during a backwards pass or fumble, the penalty is enforced from the spot of the pass or fumble.[citation needed]
It is illegal to bat or punch the ball while it is in a player's possession.[citation needed]
All officials are equipped with whistles, not horns.[1]
In the Eastern race, the Eagles beat Washington 45–0 in Week Five to take a 1/2 game lead. When the 6–1–1 Eagles met the 6–2 Skins again in Week Ten, Washington lost a must-win game, 42–21.
The other race was all Chicago, as the Cardinals and Bears both had records of 10–1 going into the final week. A record crowd of 51,283 packed Wrigley Field on December 12 to watch. The Bears took a 21–10 lead, on George Gulyanic's as the fourth quarter began. Charley Trippi's touchdown cut the margin to 21–17, but the Bears had the ball and time on their side. The turning point came when the Cards' Vince Banonis picked off a pass from Johnny Lujack, and ran the ball back to the Bears' 19, and Elmer Angsman scored the winning touchdown three plays later for the Western Division title and the trip to the championship.[4]