Imagine a year where a team vanished before kickoff, a coast-to-coast TV broadcast made history, and a championship rematch delivered a nail-biting finish. The 1951 NFL season was a captivating blend of unexpected twists and dominant performances, culminating in a title clash for the ages. Relive the drama as the Cleveland Browns, boasting a stellar record, faced the high-octane Los Angeles Rams in a contest that defined an era and showcased the burgeoning power of televised football.
The 1951 NFL season was the 32nd regular season of the National Football League, a year that culminated in a thrilling championship clash between two dominant teams. Prior to the season's kickoff in late September, the league experienced a significant change with the folding of the Baltimore Colts due to financial difficulties. Their player contracts were returned to the league, adding an unexpected element to the player pool.
The regular season saw the emergence of clear division leaders. In the American Conference, the Cleveland Browns, under the guidance of the legendary Paul Brown, showcased their dominance with an exceptional 11-1 record. Their only loss came early in the season, and they steamrolled through the remaining schedule, demonstrating a potent offense that scored a league-high 331 points and a stingy defense that allowed the fewest points (152). Quarterback Otto Graham continued his stellar career, leading a balanced attack.
In the National Conference, the race was tighter, but the Los Angeles Rams, coached by Joe Stydahar, ultimately emerged on top with an 8-4 record. Despite never winning more than three consecutive games, the Rams boasted a high-powered offense that led the league in scoring (392 points) and passing yards (3,199). Their quarterback tandem of Norm Van Brocklin and Bob Waterfield, both future Hall of Famers, orchestrated a dynamic attack featuring the spectacular receiving talent of Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, who led the NFL with 1,495 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
The stage was set for the 1951 NFL Championship Game, a rematch of the previous year's contest, held on December 23rd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This game marked a significant milestone as it was the first NFL Championship to be televised coast-to-coast, with the DuMont Network paying $75,000 for the rights. A then-record crowd of 59,475 fans packed the Coliseum to witness the showdown between the heavily favored Browns and the underdog Rams.
The game itself was a hard-fought battle. The Rams drew first blood in the second quarter with a short touchdown run by Dick Hoerner. The Browns responded with a 52-yard field goal by Lou Groza and a 17-yard touchdown pass from Otto Graham to Dub Jones, taking a 10-7 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, a crucial fumble by Graham, recovered by the Rams, led to a game-tying touchdown run by Dan Towler.
The fourth quarter saw the tension escalate. Bob Waterfield kicked a 17-yard field goal to give the Rams a 17-10 lead. However, the resilient Browns answered with a touchdown run by Ken Carpenter, tying the score at 17 with just minutes remaining. The game seemed destined for overtime, but Rams quarterback Norm Van Brocklin connected with Tom Fears on a breathtaking 73-yard touchdown pass, securing a 24-17 victory for the Los Angeles Rams.
This win marked the Rams' second NFL Championship and their first since moving to Los Angeles, a drought that would last nearly half a century. For the Browns and their legendary coach Paul Brown, it was an uncharacteristic failure to capture the title after their dominant regular season and previous championship pedigree. The 1951 NFL season and its dramatic championship game showcased the contrasting styles of two powerhouse teams and delivered a memorable conclusion to a year of significant developments in the league's history.
