Season 5: 1945 Cleveland Rams
This was the Rams’ 8th year in the NFL and their 9th and final season of existence as a professional franchise in Cleveland (the team played their first year of professional existence in the AFL). Following this successful season, which culminated in an NFL championship, team owner Dan Reeves orchestrated a move to Los Angeles over concerns with the upstart All-America Football conference.
This team was lead by prolific hall of fame quarterback Bob Waterfield. They finished 9-1 in the regular season, then won the pre-superbowl era NFL championship game by defeating the Washington Redskins 15-14 at the cavernous old Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
1945 Schedule:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Results | Venue | Attendance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | ||||||
| 1 | Bye Week | ||||||
| 2 | September 30, 1945 | Chicago Cardinals | W 21–0 | 1–0 | League Park | 10,872 | |
| 3 | October 7, 1945 | Chicago Bears | W 17–0 | 2–0 | League Park | 19,580 | |
| 4 | October 14, 1945 | at Green Bay Packers | W 27–14 | 3–0 | East Stadium | 24,607 | |
| 5 | October 21, 1945 | at Chicago Bears | W 41–21 | 4–0 | Wrigley Field | 28,273 | |
| 6 | October 28, 1945 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 14–28 | 4–1 | Shibe Park | 38,149 | |
| 7 | November 4, 1945 | at New York Giants | W 21–17 | 5–1 | Polo Grounds | 46,219 | |
| 8 | November 11, 1945 | Green Bay Packers | W 20–7 | 6–1 | League Park | 28,686 | |
| 9 | November 18, 1945 | at Chicago Cardinals | W 35–21 | 7–1 | Comiskey Park | 18,000 | |
| 10 | November 22, 1945 | at Detroit Lions | W 28–21 | 8–1 | Briggs Stadium | 40,017 | |
| 11 | December 2, 1945 | Boston Yanks | W 20–7 | 9–1 | League Park | 18,470 | |