Evening star., 1949-12-14
NFL Statistics Give
Rams Edge in Passing,
Eagles in Rushing
By the Associated Press

passing against Philadelphia run
ming in the National Football
League championship game Sun
day-but it amt necessarily SO!
Final statistics for the 1949
season today give the Rams a
decided yardage advantage over
the Eagles in passing and the
Eagles a whopping margin over
the Rams in rushing.
But figures often are deceptive.
For instance. the Eagles, seventh
in passing yardage, are second in
passing percentage. And the
Rams, sixth in rushing yardage,
are mere two-tenths of per
cent out of first in average on
each rushing attempt.
Bears Lead in Yardage.
Neither the Eagles nor Rams
won the team championship in
total yards gained. Thanks to a
brilliant final game performance
by Johnny Lujack, the Chicago
Bears vaulted into the top posi-
ton with total of 4,863 yards in
IL games. The Rams we're second
with 1850 and the Eagles third
with 4,533.
The Bears also led in passing
yardage with 3,045, with the Rams
again second with 2.819. Washing
tons Redskins. paced by Sammy
Baugh, the leagues individual
passing leader, held down third
with 2,816. The Eagles were far
behind with total of 1909 yards.
Philadelphia, spearheaded by
the leagues ground-gaining lead
er, Steve Van Buren,, was far
ahead in rushing with 2,607 yards.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were Sec
ond with 2,209 and the Chicago
Cardinals third with 2,130. The
Rams were way behind with 1882.
However, the percentages. which
usually are more reliable indica-
tions, the passing log showed the
Rams in first place with an ac-
curacy mark of 52.5 per cent. The
Eagles were second with 51.8 per
cent and the eBars third with
SOL.
In rushing. the Eagles dead
locked with the Cardinals and
Green Bay Packers for first place
In per gain carries. each with Al
yard per thrust. The Rams had
3.9 yards to tie with Washington
for second place.
They're Tied in Touchdowns.
An another indication of what
appears to be an evenly matched
game as far as offense is con-
cerned, the Rams and Eagles tied
for first place in total touchdoWns
with 48 each. The Cardinals also
figured in that 48 I'D tie. The
Redskins scored 81 touchdowns,
% of there on passes. I
Defensively, it was the Eagles
all the way. The defending
champions ranked first in yield
ing the fewest yards, the fewest
total points and the feWest pass
ing yards, ranked second in rush
ing defense and first again in al
lowing opponents to succeed the
fewest times on passing attempts.
The Rams ranked fourth in
each of these categories except
the last in which they placed Sec
ond.
The Bears, second placers in the
Western Division, allowed the
fewest rushing yards, 1876, to
break the Eagles defensive mo-
nopoly.
Here are comparative figures on
the Eagles and Rams in all the
major statistical departments:
.nTo,sl Total Esd pso5nts-PhiladelDhia' 1854; Los
A"fetsi' Tetal iou; touchdowns - Philadelphia. 49,
$3.50; Philadelphia, 4 1888.
delphia, 1907; Los Angeles, 1872.
Angeles, 2.s19; PhiladelDhia, 1,9oe;
yards; Los Angeles, 80
Percentage of passes completed: Los
Angeles; S25; philadelpbblaii 51eb 51iSbo ,aa
Los Angeles, 239.
Opponents yards gained (netl - Phila-
delphia, 1926; Los Angeles, 1922.
Opponents yards gained rushing-Phila-
delphia, 1.2l7; Los Angeles, 1879.
Opponents yards gained passing-Phila-
delphia, 1907; Los Angeles, 2,0S4.
Opponents average gain per rush
Philadelphia, 3.4 Los Angeles, SO.
Percentage of opponents passes COM
pleted-Philadelphia. 800; Los Angeles,
43.0.