The American Football League existed in various forms and various times from 1926-1969. Sometimes the AFL would be a rival Pro Football league, and compete directly with the NFL. Such was the case in 1926, 1936-1937, 1940-1941, and 1960-1969. Other times it would be a Semi-Pro Football league, and would not compete directly with the NFL, but would be more of a farm system for the NFL Clubs. Such was the case in 1948. Bloomfield folded before the start of play in 1948 and the league scrapped its two-division setup for the upcoming season. Bethlehem was crippled by a pair of events prior to play. First, the Philadelphia Eagles ended their working arrangement with the Bulldogs and worked with Paterson instead; second, the league instituted a new rule limiting salaries to $2000 a game per team (in 1947, the Bulldogs averaged $5500 a week). After a 0-4 start blamed in part by salary dissention, owner Bob Sell released seven players. The team barely missed the playoffs despite playing the last six games with a 4-1-1 record. It was the last year that the league had an official working agreement with NFL teams, as the league severed ties with all minor league teams. The last affiliate teams were Paterson Panthers (Eagles), Jersey City Giants and Richmond Rebels (Bears), although some teams kept an informal relationship with their NFL affiliates until the AFL collapsed. On the field, the Paterson Panthers dominated the league with a stellar 7-1-2 record, easily taking the top spot for the the regular season. In the first round of the playoffs, it was Paterson rolling over the Jersey City Giants 30-7, while the Wilmington Clippers would take care of the Richmond Rebels 22-14, setting up the match-up for the 1948 AFL Championship Game. The Paterson Panthers would take the 1948 AFL Championship with a 24-14 win over the Wilmington Clippers.