1950 NFL Championship Game

Before the 1950 season, the NFL added three teams from the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), a competing league that went out of business as part of a peace deal negotiated in 1949.[7] After the addition of the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, and San Francisco 49ers, the NFL reorganized its Eastern and Western divisional structure into the American and National conferences.[7][8] The Browns were placed in the American Conference with a group of teams mostly from the old Eastern Division, while the 49ers and Colts went into the National Conference with teams from the old Western Division.[8] Under NFL rules at the time, the teams with the best records in each conference after the 12-game regular season were to play each other in the NFL championship to determine the winner of the league.[9]

The 1950 season ended with ties for first place in both the American and National conferences, forcing two playoff games for spots in the championship.[10] The Browns tied with the New York Giants for the best record in the American Conference, while the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears tied atop the National Conference.[10] It was the first time in league history that both of the NFL's conferences (or divisions) ended in a tie for first place.[11] The Browns defeated the Giants 8–3 in their playoff, and the Rams beat the Bears 24–20 to set up a Rams-Browns championship.[12]

While the Rams were unmatched offensively, the Browns' defense gave up half as many points during the regular season.[25] Cleveland coach Paul Brown announced before the game that he would employ an umbrella defense against the Rams, similar to the one the Giants had used effectively against the Browns.[26] His plan was to show Los Angeles the umbrella formation at first but switch back to the team's usual formation soon after.[26] He abandoned the umbrella defense after the Rams scored a touchdown on their first play.[26]

The championship game took place on Christmas Eve in Cleveland a week after the conference playoffs.[27] The weather was dry, with 28 mph (45 km/h) winds and a temperature of 29 °F (−2 °C).[2][3] On the Rams' first play after the opening kickoff, Waterfield passed to Glenn Davis for an 82-yard touchdown, giving Los Angeles an early 7–0 lead.[26] Martin was covering Davis, but slipped on the slick turf, leaving the receiver open.[26] Graham and the Browns' offense responded with a drive later in the first quarter that evened the score, but the Rams went ahead again by a touchdown on a three-yard Hoerner rush.[26] Cleveland scored a second touchdown in the second quarter, this time a 37-yard pass from Graham to Lavelli.[26] Groza's extra point attempt failed, however, because of a high snap, putting the Browns behind by one point.[26] Waterfield missed a 15-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first half, leaving the score at 14–13 at halftime.[26]

Cleveland took the lead again in the third quarter on a 39-yard touchdown pass to Lavelli, his second of the day.[28] The Rams responded with a touchdown run by Hoerner and another touchdown quickly thereafter when Motley fumbled and Los Angeles's Larry Brink took it into the end zone.[28] Down 28–20 as the fourth quarter began, Cleveland was helped by interceptions by Thompson and Lahr that put its offense in good field position.[28] On a drive with 10 minutes left to play, Cleveland went for it on fourth down three times and made the necessary yards each time, advancing to the Los Angeles 14-yard line.[28] From there, Graham threw a touchdown pass to Bumgardner, who dove to catch it in the corner of the end zone.[28] After several more defensive stands, the Browns had the ball back and drove toward the Rams' end zone as the game drew to a close.[28] Graham fumbled, however, and the Rams recovered with three minutes left.[29] Cleveland's defense held, and Los Angeles punted, giving the Browns the ball back at their own 31-yard line with 1:49 left in the game.[29] Graham scrambled up the middle for 16 yards on the first play, and then turned to his receivers.[29] A pass to Bumgardner and two to Jones on the sidelines, followed by another to Bumgardner, put the ball at the Los Angeles 11-yard line.[29] Graham ran a quarterback sneak on the next play to place the ball at the middle of the field in preparation for a field goal.[30] After a time out, Groza came in and kicked the field goal with 0:28 left on the clock to put Cleveland ahead 30–28.[30] The Rams fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Browns recovered, appearing to seal the victory.[30] The officials ruled that Groza had kicked prematurely, however, and Los Angeles returned his rekick to their 46-yard line.[30] An interception by Lahr on a sideline pass stopped the drive and gave Cleveland the win.[31]

After the game, Bert Bell called the Browns "the greatest team ever to play football."[31] Brown later remembered it as the best game he ever saw, pointing to the success both teams had passing the ball at a time when the emphasis was shifting across the league from running to passing.[31] Cleveland and Los Angeles played again in the 1951 championship, which the Rams won, 24–17.[32] The Browns went on to appear in each championship game between 1952 and 1955, including a win over the Rams in 1955.[32]

The NFL added the fifth official, the back judge, in 1947; the line judge arrived in 1965, and the side judge in 1978.

Lavelli caught 11 passes, which set an NFL championship record that stood for eight years.[31] He had 128 yards and two touchdowns.[31] The Rams' Fears also had a strong game, with nine receptions for 136 yards.[33] While Waterfield threw four interceptions, he otherwise performed well, completing 18 passes for 312 yards and a touchdown.[33] His touchdown pass on the first play of the game to Davis was the longest score ever in a championship at the time.[33] Graham, meanwhile, had 22 completions for 298 yards and four touchdowns.[31]

Despite a high score, both defenses played well.[33] Los Angeles was able to hold Motley, Cleveland's most dangerous rusher, completely in check.[33] The Browns had five interceptions, including two by Lahr, and managed to stop the Rams from building a large lead in the fourth quarter, thanks in part to Len Ford's disruptive play at defensive end.[33]

The gross receipts for the game, including about $45,000 for radio and television rights, was under $158,000. Each player on the winning Browns team received $1,113, while Rams players made $686 each.[34]

• 1950 NFL Championship Game at Pro-Football-Reference.com