1954 Cleveland Browns season

1954 Cleveland Browns season
Head coachPaul Brown
Home fieldCleveland Stadium
Local radioWGAR
Results
Record9–3
Division place1st Eastern
Playoff finishWon NFL Championship
(vs. Lions) 56–10

The 1954 Cleveland Browns season was the team's fifth season with the National Football League. The Browns' defense became the first defense in the history of the NFL to lead the league in fewest rushing yards allowed, fewest passing yards allowed, and fewest total yards allowed.[1]

The Browns were 9–3 in the regular season and won the Eastern Conference. They hosted the NFL Championship Game, and met the two-time defending champion Detroit Lions for the third straight year. This year's result was different, as the Browns won with a 56–10 blowout.[2][3]

The teams had met on the same field the previous week, in a meaningless game won 14–10 by the Lions. Both teams had already clinched their respective conference titles; it was postponed from early October due to the World Series.[4] After the win, Detroit was a slight favorite for the title game.[5][6]

  1. ^ The Best Show in Football:The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p.294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, ISBN 978-1-58979-360-6
  2. ^ Stolle, Fred (December 27, 1954). "Graham features as Cleveland crushes Detroit, 56-10, for pro grid championship". Youngstown Vindicator. (Ohio). p. 8.
  3. ^ Liska, Jerry (December 27, 1954). "Graham stars as Browns humble Lions, 56-19". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. p. 3, part 2.
  4. ^ "Mixture as before: Lions beat Browns". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. December 20, 1954. p. 21.
  5. ^ Livingston, Pat (December 26, 1954). "Lions battle Browns for NFL title". Pittsburgh Press. p. 1, section 4.
  6. ^ "Browns-Lions clash in Cleveland today for grid title". Youngstown Vindicator. (Ohio). Associated Press. December 26, 1954. p. D1.