NFL Championship Game, 1951
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In the 1951 National Football League Championship Game, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cleveland Browns, 24–17, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on December 23, 1951. This Championship Game was the first one televised coast-to-coast. The DuMont Network purchased the rights to do so from the NFL for $75,000. This was the 19th title game in NFL history.
The Rams were the first to score with a 1-yard run by fullback Dick Hoerner in the second quarter. The Browns answered back with an NFL Championship record 52-yard field goal by Lou Groza. They later took the lead with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Otto Graham to Dub Jones. The Browns take the lead at halftime 10–7.
In the third quarter Larry Brink landed a hard tackle on Graham causing him to fumble the ball. Andy Robustelli picked up the ball on the Cleveland 24 and returned it to the Cleveland 2. On the third play of the drive, "Deacon" Dan Towler ran the ball in for a touchdown from the one yard line giving the Rams a 14–10 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Rams increased their lead with a Bob Waterfield 17-yard field goal. The Browns answered back with an 8-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown run by Ken Carpenter, tieing the game at 17–17. Twenty-five seconds later late in the fourth quarter, Tom Fears beat defenders Clif Lewis and Tom James and received a Norm Van Brocklin pass at midfield. Fears raced to the endzone for a 73-yard touchdown, securing a Rams 24–17 win and the 1951 NFL title.
[edit] Scoring summary
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Rams | 0 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
- RAM - TD, Hoerner 1 run (Waterfield kick)
- CLE - FG, Groza 52
- CLE - TD, Jones 17 pass from Graham (Goza kick)
- RAM - TD, Towler 1 run (Waterfield kick)
- RAM - FG, Waterfield 17
- CLE - TD, Carpenter 5 run (Groza kick)
- RAM - TD, Fears 73 pass from Van Brocklin (Waterfield kick)
[edit] References
- Riffenburgh, Beau, (1997). "Championships & Playoffs." Eds Silverman, Matthew, et al. Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. New York: HarperCollins. 178-262. ISBN 0-06-270174-6
- NFL Chronology: 1951. NFL.com. Retrieved 17 Setpember 2006.
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