The 50s Lions, Rams, and Browns
Posted: Sat May 13, 2023 6:20 pm
Over a six year period in the early 50s, the Detroit Lions had a Dynasty by playing in four NFL Title Games in six years. Buddy Parker was the coach for first three and George Wilson for the last one. Many Lions from that era became household names and were in the Hall of Fame. Joe Schmidt, Yale Lary, Doak Walk, Bobby Layne, John Henry Johnson, Gene Gedman, Steve Junker, Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy, Jerry Reichow, and Dave Middleton. In each title game, their opponent was the Cleveland Browns. This was the first big rivalry in the NFL.
1952-tied for first in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Rams with a 9-3 record; defeated the Rams 31 to 21 in the Western Conference playoff; at Cleveland defeated the Browns 17 to 7 for the NFL Title.
1953-won the Western Conference with a 10-2 record; at home defeated the Browns 17 to 16 in the NFL Title Game. Great comeback engineered by Bobby Layne
1954-won the Western Conference with a 9-2-1 record; at Cleveland the Browns demolished them 56 to 10 for the NFL Title.
1957-tied for first in the Western Conference with 8-4 record with the San Francisco 49ers; at San Francisco in the Western Conference Playoff came from down 27 to 7 in the third quarter to win 31 to 27; after more than 50 years, this still remains a remarkable feat; Tobin Rote was playing quarterback for Bobby Layne, who broke his leg; at home crushed Cleveland in the NFL Title game 59 to 14.
1952-tied for first in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Rams with a 9-3 record; defeated the Rams 31 to 21 in the Western Conference playoff; at Cleveland defeated the Browns 17 to 7 for the NFL Title.
1953-won the Western Conference with a 10-2 record; at home defeated the Browns 17 to 16 in the NFL Title Game. Great comeback engineered by Bobby Layne
1954-won the Western Conference with a 9-2-1 record; at Cleveland the Browns demolished them 56 to 10 for the NFL Title.
1957-tied for first in the Western Conference with 8-4 record with the San Francisco 49ers; at San Francisco in the Western Conference Playoff came from down 27 to 7 in the third quarter to win 31 to 27; after more than 50 years, this still remains a remarkable feat; Tobin Rote was playing quarterback for Bobby Layne, who broke his leg; at home crushed Cleveland in the NFL Title game 59 to 14.
