Regular season | |
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Duration | September 28 – December 16, 1951 |
American Conf. Champions | Cleveland Browns |
National Conf. Champions | Los Angeles Rams |
Championship Game | |
Champions | Los Angeles Rams |
The 1951 NFL season was the 32nd regular season of the National Football League. Prior to the season, Baltimore Colts owner Abraham Watner faced financial difficulties, and thus gave his team and its player contracts back to the league for $50,000. However, many Baltimore fans started to protest the loss of their team. Supporting groups such as its fan club and its marching band remained in operation and worked for the team's revival, which eventually led to a new, more lucrative Baltimore team in 1953 that ultimately carried on the erratic lineage of the last remaining Ohio League member Dayton Triangles.
For the first time, the NFL Championship Game was televised across the nation. The DuMont Television Network paid $75,000 to broadcast the game. Viewers coast-to-coast watched the Los Angeles Rams defeat the Cleveland Browns 24–17.
The 1951 NFL draft was held from January 18-19, 1951 at Chicago's Blackstone Hotel. With the first pick, the New York Giants selected halfback Kyle Rote from Southern Methodist University.
Week | National | American | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 teams (Bears, DET, LA, SF) | 1–0–0 | Philadelphia Eagles | 1–0–0 |
2 | Detroit Lions | 2–0–0 | Philadelphia Eagles | 2–0–0 |
3 | 5 teams (Bears, Det., GB, L.A.,S.F.) | 2–1–0 | New York Giants | 2–0–1 |
4 | Tie (Bears, Rams) | 3–1–0 | New York Giants | 3–0–1 |
5 | Chicago Bears | 4–1–0 | Cleveland Browns | 4–1–0 |
6 | Chicago Bears | 5–1–0 | Cleveland Browns | 5–1–0 |
7 | Tie (Bears, Rams) | 5–2–0 | Cleveland Browns | 6–1–0 |
8 | Tie (Bears, Rams) | 6–2–0 | Cleveland Browns | 7–1–0 |
9 | Detroit Lions | 6–2–1 | Cleveland Browns | 8–1–0 |
10 | Los Angeles Rams | 7–3–0 | Cleveland Browns | 9–1–0 |
11 | Detroit Lions | 7–3–1 | Cleveland Browns | 10–1–0 |
12 | Los Angeles Rams | 8–4–0 | Cleveland Browns | 11–1–0 |
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972. |
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Further information: 1951 NFL Championship Game |
Los Angeles 24, Cleveland 17 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, December 23, 1951
Statistic | Name | Team | Yards |
---|---|---|---|
Passing | Bobby Layne | Detroit | 2403 |
Rushing | Eddie Price | New York Giants | 971 |
Receiving | Elroy Hirsch | Los Angeles | 1495 |