The1954 NFL seasonwas the 35thregular seasonof theNational Football League.The season ended when theCleveland Brownsdefeated theDetroit Lionsin theNFL Championship Game.
| Regular season | |
|---|---|
| Duration | September 26 – December 26, 1954 |
| East Champions | Cleveland Browns |
| West Champions | Detroit Lions |
| Championship Game | |
| Champions | Cleveland Browns |
Draft
editThe1954 NFL draftwas held on January 28, 1954, atPhiladelphia'sBellevue-Stratford Hotel.With the first pick, theCleveland Brownsselected quarterbackBobby GarrettfromStanford University.
Major rule changes
edit- Whenever it is raining, or whenever the field is wet and slippery, the offensive team can request a new, dry playable ball at any time.
Division races
editIn the Western Division, the 49ers pulled ahead inWeek Five(October 24) with a 37–31 win over the Lions, but they lost four of their remaining seven games and finished 7–4–1.
The Lions, on the other hand, won six of their last seven, and finished 9–2–1. In the Eastern race, the Eagles got off to a 4–0 start, until dropping games to Pittsburgh (17–7) and Green Bay (37–14) to fall into a three-way tie with the Giants and Steelers. The Browns, who got off to a 1–2 start, went on an 8-game winning streak, gradually catching up with a Halloween win over New York (24–14).
A 6–0 win over Philadelphia on November 21 gave them the conference lead, and a 16–7 rematch win in New York the next week extended the margin.
The Browns' streak was ended on December 19 with a 14–10 loss to the Lions, but when the teams met in Cleveland again the next week for the Championship, the Browns beat the Lions in a 56–10 rout.
| Week | Western | Eastern | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 teams (Det, LA, SF) | 1–0–0 | 3 teams (NYG, Phi, Pit) | 1–0–0 |
| 2 | 3 teams (Det, LA, SF) | 1–0–1 | Tie (Phi, Pit) | 2–0–0 |
| 3 | Tie (Det, SF) | 2–0–1 | Philadelphia Eagles | 3–0–0 |
| 4 | Tie (Det, SF) | 3–0–1 | Philadelphia Eagles | 4–0–0 |
| 5 | San Francisco 49ers | 4–0–1 | 3 teams (NYG, PHI, PIT) | 4–1–0 |
| 6 | Tie (Det, SF) | 4–1–1 | 3 teams (NYG, PHI, PIT) | 4–2–0 |
| 7 | Detroit Lions | 5–1–0 | Tie (NYG, PHI) | 5–2–0 |
| 8 | Detroit Lions | 6–1–0 | New York Giants | 6–2–0 |
| 9 | Detroit Lions | 7–1–0 | Cleveland Browns | 6–2–0 |
| 10 | Detroit Lions | 8–1–0 | Cleveland Browns | 7–2–0 |
| 11 | Detroit Lions | 8–1–1 | Cleveland Browns | 8–2–0 |
| 12 | Detroit Lions | 8–2–1 | Cleveland Browns | 9–2–0 |
| 13 | Detroit Lions | 9–2–1 | Cleveland Browns | 9–3–0 |
Final standings
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NFL Championship Game
editCleveland 56, Detroit 10 atCleveland Stadium,Cleveland, Ohio,December 26, 1954
League leaders
edit| Statistic | Name | Team | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing | Norm Van Brocklin | Los Angeles | 2637 |
| Rushing | Joe Perry | San Francisco | 1049 |
| Receiving | Bob Boyd | Los Angeles | 1212 |
Awards
editCoaching changes
edit- Baltimore Colts:Keith Molesworthwas replaced byWeeb Ewbank.
- Green Bay Packers:Lisle Blackbournbecame the Packers' new head coach.Gene Ronzaniresigned after 10 games into 1953.Hugh DevoreandRay McLeanserved as co-head coaches for the rest of the 1953 season.
- Pittsburgh Steelers:Joe Bachwas replaced byWalt Kiesling.
- New York Giants:Steve Owenwas replaced byJim Lee Howell.
- Washington Redskins:Curly Lambeauwas replaced byJoe Kuharich.
References
editOther sources consulted
edit- NFL Record and Fact Book(ISBN1-932994-36-X)
- NFL History 1951–1960(Last accessed December 4, 2005)
- Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League(ISBN0-06-270174-6)