Evening star., 1942-12-12
Champions,be
On kopping Up,
1-3Favorites
Return of Osmunski
Adds to Worries of
VengefuI Tribe
BY LEWIS F. ATCHISON.

ny LEWIS r. AIChlSON.
The Chicago mob was in town to-
day, looking over the lay of the
land for tomorrow's championship
play-on with the Redskins, whom
they expect to riddle at Griffith
Stadium for their oath consecutive
victory and third consecutive league
title.
The Bears arrived in the pink,
confident and eager to get it over.
For most of them it was no special
occasion but merely another trip,
one more game and one more rival
to beat. They were to go through
the formality of a workout at the
ball park in the afternoon but a
shave and haircut was all most of
them needed to complete their prep
arationS.
On the betting bourse the visitors
continued to rule heavy favorites
at odds as high as 81, but most
of the wagering was on a point
basis, with Bear supporters giving
even money and II points. There
was a possibility that the Washing
ton team would be even more Of an
underdog by game time.
Chicago's current outfit bears a
close resemblance to the 1933-34
squads turned out by George Halas,
which ran up string Of 18 con-
secutive league victories-a mark
equaled last week by the AZ team
The 1884 Bears also were the first
and heretofore only National League
team to finish a season unbeaten
and united until the current eleven
turned the trick. But 1t is the close
resemblance between the two great
Chicago squads that gives the Red
skins some hope tomorrow.
Giants Turned Tables.
In "a the Bears victims included
the New York Giants, not once but
twice, but the Giants came back
in the playoff to trounce the West
erners. 30-l3. That was the second
year the divisional play-off was in
effect and already the Bears had
begun to take on the aura of su-
permen.
But the Redskins are not beaten
before they walk on the field to-
morrow, although their rivals seem
to have the cunjeons on them. Last
September the Bears walloped the
Tribe. 1914. in an exhibition game
in which the winners got three
touchdowns on breaks. In other
respects it was a fairly even game
and from it the Skins derived un-
bounded confidence that will stand
them in good stead tomorrow.
The score washington would pre-
fer to settle, however, Is the 1910
debacle in the 1910 championship
play-off at Griffith Stadium, q dis
aster that probably never will be
lived down. Only the week before
the Redskins had eked out 7-3
triumph over their conquerers and
the title-round result was a nerve
shattering shock to the faithful, It
is improbable that the Skins will
have the opportunity to repay the
foe In kind for some years and GER
tainly not tomorrow.
Osmanski Is Potent Poison.
Each has been secuted thoroughly
for the game and is rather familiar
with the others tricks but that is
no guarantee they'll be able to clamp
down on one another. The Bears
T-formation has baf1led and beaten
not only the Redskins but the other
eight clubs in the loop. and for
Bill Osmanski the T has been a boon
against Washington.
In the 1910 play off he scampered
SO yards for a touchdown on the
second play of the afternoon and
in last September's exhibition he
broke away for a 40-yard touch
down romp again on the second
play. The Redskins have been his
cousins" since Osmanski broke into
the league and it is significant that
after being out since early in the
season with a trick knee he should
return in time to face the Tribe.
Washington's strategy Is wover
around Sammy Baugh. Of course
and in many quErters it is felt that
the attack will consist of thre,
passes and a punt-all by Baugh
But Ray Flaherty has had the mer
working out behind barred gates al
week and has come up with some
new tricks in the ground depart.
ment with Andy Farkas, an-league
fullback, and Dick Todd In the key
roles.
A Lot Up to Baugh.
Baugh, naturally, is the keymar
and as he goes so goes Washington
If Sam is on the beam the Tribe
may be tough. 1t is difficult te
imagine Baugh of stride and II
might be better put to say the
team will 60 well II his receiver:
are in form because it Is pretty vel
established by now that Baugh car
put the ball at any given spot or
the field, but his receivers not al.
ways have been able to hold it.
The game NAV not be decided nv