The 1946 NFA Season was the eighth NFA regular season. All players who had left the league to serve in the Armed Forces, were able to return to their teams. This would greatly even the competition and lead to a memorable season which would be the first to have two "Playoff Bowls" to decide both divisions. The defending champions, the Boston Bluejackets, would still be the team to beat in the East. New York was favored to win the division prior to the beginning of the season. The Lions would fall short however and finish 6-6 which was good enough for 3rd place. The NFA East would come down between the Baltimore Knights and the Boston Bluejackets. The division would not be decided during the regular season as Baltimore and Boston had split their two head to head games against each other. A "Playoff Bowl" was needed to decide the division champion. On December 8th in Boston, MA, the Knights and the Bluejackets would face off. Baltimore would soundly defeat Boston 28-10 to win their 2nd NFA East Championship and advance to their 2nd American Bowl. The NFA West was also a hotly contested division. The Mustangs and the Buckeyes would be neck and neck throughout the season. When Week 12 came, both teams were tied for first. This would result in a "Playoff Bowl" to decide the division champion. The game held in Detroit, MI on December 8th would be an instant classic. After a hard fought 4 quarters of football, the score was tied at 21 and would need an overtime period to decide the winner. In overtime, the Buckeyes had received the ball first. After a spectacular special teams play by the Mustangs, the Buckeyes were only able to advance the ball to the 5 yard line. A holding penalty during the return, moved the ball back to the 2.5 yard line. Buckeyes QB Frank Tarkington would drop back to pass on 3rd and 11 from inside the Buckeyes end zone. His pass would strike the goal post (which was on the goal line at the time) and fall incomplete. This was ruled a safety which awarded the Mustangs 2 points and ended the game. This would only add fuel to already heated rivalry between Cincinnati and Detroit. The Mustangs would host the championship for the second consecutive year and appear in their third NFA Championship Game. AWARDS MVP: Giles Richland (QB, DET Mustangs) COY: John Jones (BAL Knights) 1946 NFA CHAMPIONSHIP Detroit Mustangs vs Baltimore Knights (December 15, 1946, Mustangs Field, Detroit, MI)