Before the 1933 season, new Boston Redskins owner George Preston Marshall suggested to the NFL's owners that the league make some rule changes to increase the excitement of the game, including allowing passing from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage, and returning the goal posts to the goal line (which was changed in 1973).

[8] Before the season, the New York Giants acquired University of Michigan All-American quarterback Harry Newman, and versatile free agent halfback Ken Strong.

[9] The Giants finished the regular season 11–3, first in the new "Eastern Division", and Newman, center Mel Hein, and Red Badgro were named first team All-NFL.

[10][11] The Bears went 10–2–1 and won the NFL's new Western Division, led by running backs Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski, and quarterbacked by Keith Molesworth.

[12] According to the Chicago Tribune, paid attendance for the game was "approximately 21,000, but several hundred more climbing the fences, the police politely turning their backs.

Hein may have been able to gain more yards, but when he saw the open field in front of him he sprinted toward the goal line instead of waiting for his blockers like he was supposed to.

This time the Giants were ready for the play but were fooled when the receiver, Bill Hewitt, who they were prepared to tackle, lateraled the ball to Karr, who ran 31 yards for the touchdown with under two minutes remaining.

[16][20] The Giants drove to their own 40-yard line on the game's final drive, but running back Dale Burnett missed a wide open Hein on another trick play.

[20] The Bears repeated as champions with the victory, and the win marked George Halas' second title as head coach.