1952 NFL season discussion

[74_75_78_79_]

I believe I've opined here before that I felt that '51 was the best NFL season of the decade (or, at least, right near the top). I know I raved about that playoff-implications-suspenseful final week of that campaign. And, of course, Andy has mentioned of it as well as writing of it in the latest Coffin Corner.

But what about the following season? I'm not sure that I've mentioned of it here or not. Looking at it, however, plenty to say. Each division had a nice race to the very end! A la 24 years later, the Forty Niners looked like a possible championship team out the gates. They started 5-0! Not only do they sweep the Champs-to-be by a combined 45-3 in Weeks #1 & #3 (28-0 at Briggs), but all five affairs by no less than 2 TDs! Real dominant-looking! But then - like that future Monte Clark team - they falter to a just above 500 finish and out of the post-season.

A pretty weird beginning for those Lions! They get swept by San Fran but sweep the defending-Champs in Wks #2 & #4! Rams also get vengefully bombed in the opener, 37-7, at Cleveland thus suffering a 1-3 start! But LA wins the rest of their regular season games as Detroit loses just one more en route to their tie-breaker date with Lions scoring the hat-trick in front of their fans!

Browns finish a mere 'good' 8-4 mark. Their worst output in that first decade of existence. But it's enough to win the division without a tie-breaker due to Philly losing their last game just as Cleveland did. Easy to forget Eagles competed all season in '52! G-men as well for most of it! All three teams were tied for 1st at 6-3 after nine weeks. And in the other division - yes the Lions, Rams, and SF were also all tied at 6-3, but so was...GREEN BAY! But sadly for the Pack, they lose their remaining three.

Dallas Texans' lone NFL season. Finished at 1-11!

Thoughts?

’52 actually a better season than '51 IYHO (Detroit-fan or not)?

[TanksAndSpartans]

Good Post! I like '52. It was Hugh McElhenny's rookie year. I think the 49ers fast start was aided by 2 games against the Texans who were pretty awful. They tried a "two-headed" QB with Albert and Tittle. Just looking at the box scores, it looked like there were some games where they didn't stay committed to the run despite having Joe Perry in the backfield as well. On one hand I say the 49ers should have done better, but the West had the Rams, Lions, and Packers like you mention. It was Billy Howton's rookie year too and he looked great watching the Packers weekly highlights.

I have the championship game highlights too. Doak Walker's 67-yd TD run in the 3Q was the big play.

[Bryan]

But LA wins the rest of their regular season games as Detroit loses just one more en route to their tie-breaker date with Lions scoring the hat-trick in front of their fans!

It took me years to find out anything about that 1952 playoff with the Lions and Rams. It was so mysterious. I guess it was a dark, foggy day and the few existing photos of the game look surreal. The Lions were the better team for most of the game, but the Rams came back and a dramatic punt return TD by VT Smith got the Rams to within 3 late in the game. The Rams defense couldn't stop the Lions ground game and Detroit killed the clock and scored a clinching TD. This ended up being Bob Waterfield's last game, although it seems like the Rams' 2-QB system might have cost them the game. Van Brocklin was great (15-19-166-1 TD) while Waterfield was terrible (3-9-13-1 INT). Had the Rams won, that would have been 4 straight title games.