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| Date | December 28, 1952 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Stadium | Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio | ||||||||||||||||||
| Attendance | 50,934 | ||||||||||||||||||
| TV in the United States | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | DuMont | ||||||||||||||||||
| Announcers | Harry Wismer | ||||||||||||||||||
| Radio in the United States | |||||||||||||||||||
| Network | Mutual | ||||||||||||||||||
The 1952 NFL Championship Game was the 20th annual championship game, held on December 28 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.[1][2][3][4]
The Detroit Lions (9–3) were the National Conference champions and met the Cleveland Browns (8–4), champions of the American Conference. It was the first of three consecutive matchups in the title game between the Lions and Browns.
The Lions were led by quarterback Bobby Layne, running back Doak Walker, and head coach Buddy Parker, and the Browns were led by head coach Paul Brown and quarterback Otto Graham. It was the Browns' third consecutive NFL championship game appearance since joining the NFL in 1950. The Lions returned to the title game after 17 years, since their win in 1935.
The Lions finished the 1952 regular season tied with the Los Angeles Rams (9–3) for top of the National Conference. Even though the Lions won both meetings, the rules of the day called for a tiebreaker playoff game. The teams' third game was held at Briggs Stadium in Detroit on December 21, which the Lions also won, 31–21.[5]
The Lions were 3½-point favorites in the title game,[6] and won by ten points, 17–7.[3]
- ^ Prell, Edward (December 28, 1952). "Lions, Browns battle today for title". Chicago Sunday Tribune. p. 1, part 2.
- ^ Prell, Edward (December 29, 1952). "Lions win pro crown; beat Browns, 17-7". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 1, part 3.
- ^ a b "Lions trip Browns, 17-7, for NFL crown". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. December 29, 1952. p. 2, part 2.
- ^ Sell, Jack (December 29, 1952). "Lions defeat Browns for NFL title, 17-7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 18.
- ^ "Harder leads Lions to 31-21 win over Rams". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. December 22, 1952. p. 22.
- ^ "Lions, hot after 1st title, favored by 3½ points". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. December 28, 1952. p. 1B.