By Darin The early 1950s belonged to the Cleveland Browns, who had established themselves as the undisputed powerhouse of professional football. However, on December 23, 1951, in front of a massive crowd of 57,522 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Los Angeles Rams finally delivered a stunning blow to the dynasty, claiming the NFL Championship in a highly anticipated showdown.
We had guest historian Rich Shmelter on in early 2025 to discuss the 1951 Championship game featured in this video.
1951 Championship Game
This contest was the culmination of a burgeoning rivalry, as the two teams—both featuring high-powered passing attacks—had faced off in the previous year’s title game, which Cleveland won. The 1951 rematch promised fireworks, and it delivered a tight, competitive battle that kept the immense Coliseum crowd on the edge of their seats.
The Rams, playing in their home stadium, leveraged their star power and momentum to edge out the defending champions. The final score, Los Angeles Rams 24, Cleveland Browns 17, marked a monumental shift in the league’s landscape. For the Rams franchise, which had moved from Cleveland to Los Angeles in 1946, it was a sweet victory that cemented their identity in Southern California and secured their first major championship in their new home city. The high attendance figures showcased the rising popularity of the professional game and the appeal of this intense coastal rivalry.
Conclusion
The 1951 NFL Championship is remembered not just for the score, but for its statement. It was a game where the new guard—represented by the dynamic Los Angeles offense—triumphed over the established dynasty. The Rams’ victory serves as a crucial historical bookmark, signaling both the end of Cleveland’s early dominance and the beginning of the NFL’s national expansion and growing commercial appeal.
