1952 NFL Quarterfinal-New York Giants-13, San Francisco 49ers-10 in OT

A Giants press guide from 1952

December 21, 1952

Weather-53 degrees, 5 mph E

The Giants and 49ers battled for nearly 5 quarters before Charlie Conerly and Eddie Price were able to piece together a drive, gaining 56 yards in 8 plays on their way to a game-winning field goal and a 13-10 overtime win. Neither team's passing game was able to generate a consistent attack, but the Giants were able to avoid the turnovers that wound up killing the Niners. The Giants turned a pair of interceptions (one each from Emlen Tunnell and Tom Landry) into 10 points. New York RB Eddie Price ran for 101 yards and caught a 57-yard pass from backup QB Fred Benners that tied the game in the fourth quarter.

The Giants will travel to Tiger Stadium next Sunday to face the Detroit Lions, the top seed in the 1952 NFL Playoffs.

New York Giants......(8-5)-0-3-0-7-3-13
San Francisco 49ers.(7-6)-0-10-0-0-0-10

NY-Poole 18 FG
SF-McElhenny 36 run (Soltau Kick)
SF-Soltau 30 FG
NY-Price 57 pass from Benners (Poole Kick)
NY-Poole 17 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
NY-Price-25-101-0 (208-849-5), Rote-12-43-0 (115-464-2), Conerly-3-3-0 (30-118-0), Scott-1-0-0 (39-107-3)
SF-McElhenny-16-84-1 (114-768-7), Perry-18-46-0 (176-771-8), Boone-2-3-0 (26-75-0), Tittle-1-(-3)-0 (12-(-14)-0)

Passing
NY-Conerly-29-12-134-0-0 (198-94-1,224-13-10), Benners-9-4-84-1-0 (67-29-404-1-5)
SF-Tittle-31-11-115-0-1 (239-117-1,522-11-13), Albert-6-3-53-0-1 (135-74-1,017-8-11)

Receiving
NY-Stribling-5-58-0 (31-457-5), McChesney-4-53-0 (25-483-6), Rote-3-35-0 (24-275-2), Price-2-55-1 (13-91-1), Hudson-1-19-0 (5-59-0), Mote-1-(-2)-0 (5-43-0)
SF-Soltau-5-61-0 (60-835-7), Wilson-3-38-0 (26-342-3), Perry-3-29-0 (18-110-0), McElhenny-2-31-0 (28-398-3), Boone-1-9-0 (26-470-1)

1952 NFL Quarterfinal-Cleveland Browns-21, Philadelphia Eagles-14

Mac Speedie, Browns WR

December 21, 1952

Weather-39 degrees, 4 mph WSW

The Browns battled back from a 14-point deficit to score 21 second half points and knock off the Eagles, 21-14. The Browns were led by Otto Graham, who threw for 255 yards and 3 TD. Mac Speedie did most of the damage, catching 6 passes for 123 yards and 2 TD. Dante Lavelli added 5 catches for 81 yards, including an 18-yard TD catch with a little over 2 minutes remaining to give Cleveland the victory. Marion Motley added 96 yards on the ground for the Browns.

Philadelphia was led by QB Bobby Thomason, who completed 14 of 21 for 191 yards, but Thomason threw 2 second-half interceptions that were key to the Browns comeback. Cleveland will move on to face the Los Angeles Rams at the Coliseum next Sunday.

Philadelphia Eagles.(7-6)-7-7-0-0-14
Cleveland Browns...(9-4)-0-0-6-15-21

Phi-Huzvar 49 pass from Thomason (Walston Kick)
Phi-Stevens 3 run (Walston Kick)
Cle-Speedie 7 pass from Graham (Kick Blocked)
Cle-Speedie 43 pass from Graham (Graham to Lavelli)
Cle-Lavelli 18 pass from Graham (Groza Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Phi-Huzvar-15-52-0 (120-401-2), Ziegler-11-27-0 (78-199-2), Stevens-5-20-1 (38-115-1), Pollard-2-14-0 (57-200-1), Thomason-1-0-0 (18-88-0)
Cle-Motley-14-96-0 (118-540-1), Jones-10-39-0 (75-309-2), Jagade-5-32-0 (62-405-2), Graham-6-1-0 (48-131-4)

Passing
Phi-Thomason-21-14-191-1-2 (233-109-1,525-9-11)
Cle-Graham-30-16-255-3-1 (394-197-3,071-23-25)

Receiving
Phi-Grant-5-76-0 (61-1,073-7), Walston-3-22-0 (29-491-3), Huzvar-2-61-1 (15-98-1), Pihos-2-24-0 (14-243-1), Stevens-2-8-0 (15-182-0)
Cle-Speedie-6-123-2 (68-1,034-7), Lavelli-5-81-1 (26-417-5), Jones-4-39-0 (47-690-4), Jagade-1-12-0 (10-215-1)

The 1952 Season

The playoff seeds for 1952...

#6 seed-Philadelphia Eagles (7-5)
Last Playoff Appearance...1950, lost NFL Championship
Playoff Record...8-4, 2 NFL Championships (1944, 1945)
Pro Bowl-DT Bucko Kilroy, RE Pete Pihos, LB Chuck Bednarik, DB Russ Craft

The Eagles defense was just good enough to earn a spot in the postseason. Philadelphia finished 2nd in the NFL in defense in 1952. Winning 3 straight games in November was all it took to sneak in as the lowest seed.

#5 seed-New York Giants (7-5)
Last Playoff Appearance...1951, won NFL Championship
Playoff Record...7-4, 2 NFL Championships (1950, 1951)
Pro Bowl-FB Eddie Price, DT Arnie Weinmeister, DT Jon Baker, LB John Cannady, KR Emlen Tunnell, T Tex Coulter

The Giants started the season with 3 straight wins, then held on for a playoff berth. New York is seeking to become the first team in NFL history to win a third consecutive NFL Championship. The Giants struggled on both sides of the ball, although their run defense would finish second in the NFL.

#4 seed-San Francisco 49ers (7-5)
Last Playoff Appearance...1951, lost NFL Quarterfinal
Playoff Record...4-5
Pro Bowl-FB Joe Perry, C Bill Johnson, RT Leo Nomellini, DE Ed Henke, LB Hardy Brown, KR Hugh McElhenny, K Gordie Soltau

San Francisco got off to a quick start, winning 5 straight and looking like they would finish with the top seed in the postseason. Losing 5 of 7 to end the season sunk the Niners to the #4 seed. Joe Perry and Hugh McElhenny combined to give San Francisco the most prolific ground game in the NFL in 1952.

#3 seed-Cleveland Browns (8-4)
Last Playoff Appearance...1951, lost NFL Championship
Playoff Record...9-4, 2 NFL Championships (1946, 1948)
Pro Bowl-QB Otto Graham, RH Dub Jones, LE Mac Speedie, LG Abe Gibron, DT Bill Willis, RE Len Ford, P Horace Gillom, K Lou Groza

The Browns have been a great team since first entering pro football, consistently competing for championships, season after season. 1952 was no different, as the Browns finished first in the NFL both offensively and defensively.

#2 seed-Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Last Playoff Appearance...1951, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...5-6
Pro Bowl-QB Norm Van Brocklin, FB Dan Towler, RE Elroy Hirsch, DT Jim Winkler, DT Stan West, LB Tank Younger, LB Don Paul

The Rams were still the highest scoring team in the NFL, even if they didn't light it up the way they once had. Los Angeles lost 3 of their first 4, and they looked like they would miss the playoffs. Instead, the Rams ripped off 8 straight wins to end the season and earn the bye week into the semifinals.

#1 seed-Detroit Lions (9-3)
Last Playoff Appearance...1951, lost NFL Semifinal
Playoff Record...1-2
Pro Bowl-QB Bobby Layne, RB Bob Hoernschemeyer, LE Cloyce Box, LT Lou Creekmur, LS Don Doll, P Bob Smith, K Pat Harder

The Lions led the NFL in run defense and scoring defense, and they have home-field advantage throughout the 1952 playoffs. The Lions have won 8 of their last 9, scoring at least 40 points in 5 of those 8 victories. Cloyce Box caught 15 of the Lions 24 passing TD in 1952.

1952 Playoffs

December 21, 1952
Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns, 3 pm
New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, 6:30 pm

December 28, 1952
lowest seed at Detroit Lions, 3 pm
highest seed at Los Angeles Rams, 6:30 pm

January 4, 1953
NFL Championship, 6:30 pm

1951 NFL Championship-New York Giants-6, Cleveland Browns-0

Steve Owen, Head Coach of the Giants

January 6, 1952

Weather-29 degrees, 9 mph NW, snow

The New York Giants won their second consecutive NFL Championship by shutting out the Cleveland Browns in snowy Municipal Stadium, 6-0. New York's defense hasn't allowed a point in either of the last 2 championship games. The Giants were able to control the clock throughout, finishing with 70 plays on offense to just 52 for Cleveland. A pair of Charley Conerly interceptions snuffed out 2 solid scoring chances for the Giants and led to a scoreless first half. In the second half, Giants RB Eddie Price and Joe Scott continued to hammer away the the Cleveland front until New York was able to cash in on 2 fourth quarter field goals from Ray Poole.

The Giants defense sealed the game on a fourth down sack of Otto Graham with 13 seconds remaining. Cleveland finished with only 189 yards offense for the game.

New York Giants.(11-2-1)-0-0-0-6-6
Cleveland Browns..(12-2)-0-0-0-0-0

NY-Poole 10 FG
NY-Poole 27 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
NY-Price-28-95-0 (326-1,164-7), Scott-13-63-0 (117-514-3), Conerly-3-1-0 (22-83-1)
Cle-Carpenter-9-55-0 (104-485-4), Jones-11-24-0 (128-575-8), Motley-7-17-0 (75-316-1), Graham-4-8-0 (42-34-3), Cole-1-3-0 (47-255-1)

Passing
NY-Conerly-24-9-126-0-2 (233-112-1,515-10-26)
Cle-Graham-17-7-101-0-0 (298-165-2,476-19-16)

Receiving
NY-Mote-2-32-0 (14-229-4), McChesney-2-30-0 (18-282-2), Wilkinson-2-29-0 (14-228-1), Scott-2-22-0 (26-388-2), Stribling-1-13-0 (23-278-2)
Cle-Speedie-5-88-0 (43-769-4), Jones-1-11-0 (34-548-6), Lavelli-1-2-0 (45-602-6)

1951 NFL Semifinal-Cleveland Browns-27, Detroit Lions-7

Dub Jones of the Cleveland Browns

December 30, 1951

Weather-36 degrees, 5 mph NE

When the Cleveland Browns are playing their best football, QB Otto Graham seems to have a myriad of weapons to use on opposing defenses. One of his most effective weapons is Dub Jones, an all-purpose back in his sixth season from Tulane who accounted for 12 TD and over 1,000 yards from scrimmage so far this season. Jones added 2 more touchdowns on Sunday; a 32-yard run off tackle and a 4-yard swing pass that broke open a 7-7 game in a 10-minute stretch of the second and third quarters.

Bobby Layne threw for 169 yards in a losing effort for the Lions. Graham completed 11 of 16 for Cleveland, throwing for 170 yards and 2 TD. Cleveland is hosting the New York Giants next Sunday for the NFL Championship. For the Giants, it's a chance to repeat as champs; for Cleveland, it's a chance to become the first team to win a third championship.

Detroit Lions.....(8-5-1)-7-0-0-0-7
Cleveland Browns.(12-1)-0-14-7-6-27

Det-Hoernschemeyer 10 pass from Layne (Walker Kick)
Cle-Speedie 51 pass from Graham (Groza Kick)
Cle-Jones 32 run (Groza Kick)
Cle-Jones 4 pass from Graham (Groza Kick)
Cle-Groza 28 FG
Cle-Groza 9 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Det-Hoernschemeyer-17-55-0 (166-781-3), Walker-9-41-0 (98-486-2), Harder-6-13-0 (112-411-6), Layne-3-2-0 (72-318-1), Hart-1-1-0 (5-(-5)-0)
Cle-Jones-13-59-1 (117-551-8), Carpenter-10-28-0 (95-430-4), Motley-7-26-0 (68-299-1), Graham-3-(-3)-0 (38-26-3)

Passing
Det-Layne-35-14-169-1-0 (387-180-2,758-28-24)
Cle-Graham-16-11-170-2-0 (281-158-2,375-19-16)

Receiving
Det-Dibble-3-70-0 (37-735-6), Hart-3-25-0 (42-622-13), Hoernschemeyer-3-18-1 (28-303-4), Walker-2-26-0 (25-457-4), Harder-2-16-0 (19-209-2), Swiacki-1-14-0 (19-206-0)
Cle-Speedie-4-92-1 (38-681-4), Jones-3-17-1 (33-587-6), Gillom-1-30-0 (12-194-0), Lavelli-1-14-0 (44-600-6), Oristaglio-1-10-0 (2-30-1), Carpenter-1-7-0 (13-190-2)

1951 NFL Semifinal-New York Giants-20, Los Angeles Rams-9

Emlen Tunnell, Giants Hall of Famer

December 30, 1951

Weather-46 degrees, 5 mph NE, rain

The New York Giants earned a return trip to the NFL Championship Game by beating the Rams, 20-9. The Giants ground game was effective against the Los Angeles front, gaining 201 yards and generating 2 long touchdown drives, the only TD drives of the game. The Giants defense bent but didn't break all afternoon, as the Rams steamrolled down the field, only to have to settle for 3 instead of 7. Elroy Hirsch managed 142 yards on receptions, but Los Angeles had to settle for 3 field goals and no trips to the end zone.

The Giants were led by touchdown runs of 22 and 3 yards from Joe Scott. Workhorse RB Eddie Price had 27 carries for the Giants, grinding out 98 yards in the mud of the Polo Grounds.

Los Angeles Rams......(9-5)-0-3-6-0-9
New York Giants.(10-2-1)-0-10-0-10-20

NY-Scott 22 run (Poole Kick)
NY-Poole 39 FG
LA-Waterfield 15 FG
LA-Waterfield 25 FG
LA-Waterfield 31 FG
NY-Poole 24 FG
NY-Scott 3 run (Poole Kick)

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
LA-Towler-15-60-0 (153-1,052-6), Smith-7-44-0 (63-208-1), Hoerner-12-12-0 (117-636-7), Younger-1-1-0 (37-224-1), Van Brocklin-1-0-0 (11-(-4)-2)
NY-Price-27-98-0 (298-1,069-7), Scott-10-84-2 (104-451-3), Conerly-2-17-0 (19-82-1), Rote-2-2-0 (23-116-1)

Passing
LA-Van Brocklin-24-10-195-0-0 (238-120-2,074-16-11), Waterfield-1-1-13-0-0 (178-90-1,582-13-10)
NY-Conerly-20-10-112-0-2 (209-103-1,389-10-24)

Receiving
LA-Hirsch-7-142-0 (77-1,710-19), Fears-3-51-0 (39-626-4), Boyd-1-15-0 (11-147-1)
NY-Stribling-4-39-0 (22-265-2), McChesney-2-22-0 (16-252-2), Wilkinson-1-17-0 (12-199-1), Price-1-14-0 (6-33-0), Mote-1-10-0 (12-197-4), Scott-1-10-0 (24-366-2)

1951 NFL Quarterfinal-Los Angeles Rams-31, Chicago Bears-14



Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch

December 23, 1951

Weather-60 degrees, 5 mph S

Los Angeles got off to a quick start against the Bears and Chicago could never recover, losing 31-14. The Rams scored on three of their first four possessions, with Norm Van Brocklin firing 3 touchdowns in the first 20 minutes. Elroy Hirsch caught TD of 24 and 14 yards, with the second one breaking the record for TD catches in a season with 19. The Bears were able to move the ball on the Los Angeles defense, but the Rams pass rush was able to come up large on third down, finishing with 5 sacks, including 2 each by Don Paul and Larry Brink. John Dottley led the Chicago ground game with 101 yards on 18 carries.

The Rams will travel to the Polo Grounds to face the Giants at 3 pm next Sunday for a berth in the NFL Title Game.

Chicago Bears.....(7-6)-0-0-7-7-14
Los Angeles Rams.(9-4)-14-7-7-3-31

LA-Hirsch 24 pass from Van Brocklin (Waterfield Kick)
LA-Fears 7 pass from Van Brocklin (Waterfield Kick)
LA-Hirsch 14 pass from Van Brocklin (Waterfield Kick)
Chi-Gulyanics 6 run (Blanda Kick)
LA-Hoerner 9 run (Waterfield Kick)
Chi-Wightkin 15 pass from Lujack (Blanda Kick)
LA-Waterfield 36 FG

Rushing (season totals in parentheses)
Chi-Dottley-18-101-0 (145-771-3), Gulyanics-14-73-1 (119-476-5), Rykovich-8-7-0 (91-406-4), Lujack-4-4-0 (51-175-7), Stone-1-3-0 (31-126-1)
LA-Towler-12-138-0 (138-992-6), Hoerner-11-55-1 (105-624-7), Smith-4-21-0 (56-164-1), Hirsch-1-(-3)-0 (2-0-0), Van Brocklin-3-(-6)-0 (10-(-4)-2)

Passing
Chi-Lujack-29-15-208-1-0 (205-100-1,503-9-8)
LA-Van Brocklin-20-10-154-3-0 (214-110-1,879-16-11), Waterfield-1-1-3-0-0 (177-89-1,569-13-10)

Receiving
Chi-Hoffman-4-52-0 (32-446-2), Schroeder-3-70-0 (27-531-3), Keane-3-33-0 (18-280-1), Dottley-2-18-0 (16-243-1), Wightkin-1-15-1 (2-62-1), Boone-1-12-0 (7-129-0), Gulyanics-1-8-0 (14-154-0)
LA-Hirsch-4-73-2 (70-1,568-19), Fears-4-47-1 (36-575-4), Keane-1-18-0 (13-151-0), Towler-1-15-0 (17-272-0), Boyd-1-4-0 (10-132-1)