December 19, 1948 was a historic day. The Cleveland Browns defeated the Buffalo Bills (not the same as the modern NFL Bills) 49-7 to cap off something remarkable.
The 1948 Cleveland Browns were one of the greatest teams in professional football history. They went undefeated and won the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) championship, becoming the first team in professional football history to do so. The Browns were coached by Paul Brown, who is considered one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Brown was a master of innovation, and he introduced many new concepts to the game of football, including the use of the forward pass as a primary weapon. The Browns were led by a number of All-Star players, including quarterback Otto Graham, fullback Marion Motley, end Dante Lavelli, and guard Lou Groza. Graham was one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, and he led the league in passing yards in each of the AAFC's four seasons. Motley was one of the most powerful runners in NFL history, and he was a key part of the Browns' potent running attack. Lavelli was one of the most versatile receivers in NFL history, and he was a threat to catch the ball anywhere on the field. Groza was one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, and he was also a dominant blocker. The Browns dominated the AAFC in 1948. They outscored their opponents by a combined score of 457-163, and they averaged over 30 points per game. They also had the best defense in the league, allowing just 12.3 points per game. The Browns capped off their perfect season with a 49-7 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AAFC championship game. It was one of the most dominant performances in NFL history, and it cemented the Browns' legacy as one of the greatest teams in professional football history.
