As an expert in American football history, I can provide a detailed account of the original teams that formed the National Football League (NFL). The NFL was established in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), which was renamed the NFL in 1922. The original teams that were part of this league are often referred to as the "Original Eight," and they are a significant part of the NFL's early history.

The original eight teams that comprised the NFL were:


1. Decatur Staleys - This team was based in Decatur, Illinois, and was originally sponsored by the A.E. Staley company. The team was later renamed the Chicago Staleys and eventually became the Chicago Bears.


2. Akron Pros - This team represented the city of Akron, Ohio, and was one of the charter members of the NFL.


3. Canton Bulldogs - Representing Canton, Ohio, the Bulldogs were a dominant team in the early years of the league.


4. Cleveland Indians - This team was based in Cleveland, Ohio, and was one of the original members. They later became the Cleveland Browns in 1946 when the AAFC's Cleveland Browns joined the NFL.


5. Racine Cardinals - Based in Racine, Wisconsin, this team was the forerunner to the present-day Arizona Cardinals.


6. Rock Island Independents - Representing Rock Island, Illinois, this team was a part of the original league but ceased operations in 1922.

7.
Muncie Flyers - This team was from Muncie, Indiana, and was one of the first teams to fold, doing so in 1925.

8.
Rochester Jeffersons - Based in Rochester, New York, they were also known as the "Rochester Giants" and eventually became the New York Giants.

It's important to note that the list provided in your reference, which includes the Giants, Bears, Cardinals, Packers, Lions, Redskins, Eagles, and Steelers, is not the original lineup of teams that formed the NFL in 1920. Instead, these teams are part of the NFL's history but joined at different times after the league's inception.

The Packers (Green Bay Packers) joined in 1921, the Redskins (now known as the Washington Football Team) in 1932, the Eagles in 1933, and the Steelers in 1933 as well. The Lions (Detroit Lions) were also not part of the original eight but joined in 1930.

The reference to the Rams, Browns, 49ers, Vikings, Saints, Falcons, Cowboys, and Colts being added from 1944-1969 is also not accurate in the context of the original teams. The Rams (Los Angeles Rams, now the Los Angeles Chargers) were actually a part of the second American Football League (AFL) in 1926, not the original NFL. The Browns (Cleveland Browns), 49ers (San Francisco 49ers), Vikings (Minnesota Vikings), Saints (New Orleans Saints), Falcons (Atlanta Falcons), Cowboys (Dallas Cowboys), and Colts (Indianapolis Colts) were all added at various times, with the Colts being part of the original 1953 AFL.

The 1969 merger between the NFL and the AFL did bring about significant expansion and added ten new teams to the NFL, but these were not part of the original 1920 lineup.

In conclusion, the original eight teams that formed the NFL were the Decatur Staleys, Akron Pros, Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Racine Cardinals, Rock Island Independents, Muncie Flyers, and Rochester Jeffersons. These teams laid the groundwork for the NFL as we know it today, and their legacy continues to impact the league's rich history.

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One could consider the latter example to be the NFL's Original 8: the Giants, Bears, Cardinals, Packers, Lions, Redskins, Eagles and Steelers. From 1944-1969 the Rams, Browns, 49ers, Vikings, Saints, Falcons, Cowboys and Colts were added and in 1969 the league merged with the AFL, adding ten new teams.read more >>