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1954 Cleveland Browns season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| logo | 1954-Browns-mediaguide.jpg |
| team | Cleveland Browns |
| year | 1954 |
| coach | Paul Brown |
| stadium | Cleveland Stadium |
| record | 9–3 |
| division_place | 1st [Eastern](1954-nfl-season-final-standings) |
| playoffs | **Won [NFL Championship](1954-nfl-championship-game)** |
| (vs. [Lions](1954-detroit-lions-season)) 56–10 | |
| pro bowlers | Otto Graham, QB |
| Len Ford, DE | |
| Lou Groza, LT | |
| Abe Gibron, G | |
| Don Colo, DTDante Lavelli, E | |
| AP All-pros | {{Collapsible list |
| title | 4 |
| 1 | DE Len Ford *(1st team)* |
| 2 | QB Otto Graham *(1st team)* |
| 3 | T Lou Groza *(1st team)* |
| 4 | G Abe Gibron (2nd team) |
| shortnavlink | Browns seasons |
(vs. Lions) 56–10 Len Ford, DE Lou Groza, LT Abe Gibron, G Don Colo, DTDante Lavelli, E | AP All-pros = {{Collapsible list The 1954 Cleveland Browns season was the team's fifth season with the National Football League. The Browns' defense became the first defense in the history of the NFL to lead the league in fewest rushing yards allowed, fewest passing yards allowed, and fewest total yards allowed.
The Browns were 9–3 in the regular season and won the Eastern Conference. They hosted the NFL Championship Game, and met the two-time defending champion Detroit Lions for the third straight year. This year's result was different, as the Browns won with a 56–10 blowout.
The teams had met on the same field the previous week, in a meaningless game won 14–10 by the Lions. Both teams had already clinched their respective conference titles; it was postponed from early October due to the World Series. After the win, Detroit was a slight favorite for the title game.
Offseason
Defensive Back Don Paul arrived via a trade with the Washington Redskins, who acquired him from the Chicago Cardinals. Upon his arrival in Washington, he fell in disfavor with George Preston Marshall of the Redskins.
In January 1954, assistant coach Weeb Ewbank departed to become head coach of the Baltimore Colts.
NFL draft
The 1954 NFL draft was one of the biggest busts in the team's history. With the first overall pick in the draft, the Browns selected quarterback Bobby Garrett out of Stanford University. The plan was that he would be the heir to Otto Graham. Garrett suffered from a stuttering problem which hindered his performance in the huddle. Eventually, Garrett was traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for Babe Parilli, although Parilli would not play for the Browns until 1956. Later in the first round, the club selected John Bauer, who never played for the Browns and only played in two NFL games in his career.
Roster
| Cleveland Browns | border=2}};" | 1954 Cleveland Browns roster |
|---|---|---|
| **Quarterbacks** |
:Source:
Exhibition schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 21 | at [Green Bay Packers](1954-green-bay-packers-season) | **W** 14–13 | 15,747 | ||||||
| August 27 | at [Los Angeles Rams](1954-los-angeles-rams-season) | **L** 38–10 | 58,567 | ||||||
| September 5 | at San Francisco 49ers | **L** 21–38 | 46,877 | ||||||
| September 10 | vs. [Detroit Lions](1954-detroit-lions-season) at Dallas | **L** 31–56 | 42,000 | ||||||
| September 18 | [Chicago Bears](1954-chicago-bears-season) | **L** 7–35 | 17,631 |
Regular season
Main article: 1954 NFL season
Schedule
| Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Game | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Date | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Result | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Record | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Venue | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Recap | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Sources | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 26 | at **[Philadelphia Eagles](1954-philadelphia-eagles-season)** | **L** 10–28 | 0–1 | Connie Mack Stadium | 26,546 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195409260phi.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 3 | *Postponement to December 19*; ([World Series](1954-world-series)) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 10 | **[Chicago Cardinals](1954-chicago-cardinals-season)** | **W** 31–7 | 1–1 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 24,101 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195410100cle.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 17 | at **[Pittsburgh Steelers](1954-pittsburgh-steelers-season)** | **L** 27–55 | 1–2 | Forbes Field | 33,262 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195410170pit.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 24 | at **[Chicago Cardinals](1954-chicago-cardinals-season)** | **W** 35–3 | 2–2 | Comiskey Park | 23,823 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195410240crd.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 31 | **[New York Giants](1954-new-york-giants-season)** | **W** 24–14 | 3–2 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 30,448 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195410310cle.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 7 | **[Washington Redskins](1954-washington-redskins-season)** | **W** 62–3 | 4–2 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 25,158 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195411070cle.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 14 | at [Chicago Bears](1954-chicago-bears-season) | **W** 39–10 | 5–2 | Wrigley Field | 48,773 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195411140chi.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 21 | **[Philadelphia Eagles](1954-philadelphia-eagles-season)** | **W** 6–0 | 6–2 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 41,537 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195411210cle.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 28 | at **[New York Giants](1954-new-york-giants-season)** | **W** 16–7 | 7–2 | Polo Grounds | 45,936 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195411280nyg.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 5 | at **[Washington Redskins](1954-washington-redskins-season)** | **W** 34–14 | 8–2 | Griffith Stadium | 21,761 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195412050was.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 12 | **[Pittsburgh Steelers](1954-pittsburgh-steelers-season)** | **W** 42–7 | 9–2 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 28,064 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195412120cle.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 19 | [Detroit Lions](1954-detroit-lions-season) | **L** 10–14 | 9–3 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 34,168 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195412190cle.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-conference opponents are in **bold** text. |
Standings
NFL Championship Game
Main article: 1954 NFL Championship Game
| Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Round | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Date | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Result | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Record | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Venue | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Cleveland Browns | year=1954 | border=2}}" | Recap | [Championship](1954-nfl-championship-game) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 26 | [Detroit Lions](1954-detroit-lions-season) | **W** 56–10 | 1–0 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 43,827 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195412260cle.htm) |
:Source:
References
References
- The Best Show in Football:The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p.294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-1-58979-360-6
- Stolle, Fred. (December 27, 1954). "Graham features as Cleveland crushes Detroit, 56-10, for pro grid championship". Youngstown Vindicator.
- Liska, Jerry. (December 27, 1954). "Graham stars as Browns humble Lions, 56-19". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- (December 20, 1954). "Mixture as before: Lions beat Browns". Pittsburgh Press.
- Livingston, Pat. (December 26, 1954). "Lions battle Browns for NFL title". Pittsburgh Press.
- (December 26, 1954). "Browns-Lions clash in Cleveland today for grid title". Youngstown Vindicator.
- The Best Show in Football:The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p.308, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-1-58979-360-6
- (January 15, 1954). "Baltimore signs Ewbank, Browns' aid(e), as coach". Milwaukee Sentinel.
- The Best Show in Football:The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p.310, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-1-58979-360-6
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