1951 Detroit Lions season
The 1951 Detroit Lions season was their 22nd in the league. They were 7–4–1, tied for second in the National Conference, a half game behind the Los Angeles Rams. A loss at San Francisco in the regular season finale cost the Lions the conference title,[1][2] and they failed to qualify for the playoffs for a sixteenth consecutive season. The team improved on their previous season's output of 6–6.[3]
1951 Detroit Lions season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Buddy Parker |
Home field | Briggs Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 7–4–1 |
Division place | 2nd NFL National |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
In their 52–35 win over the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, Detroit became the first team in NFL history to score three touchdowns of 70 yards or more in one quarter (a run and two punt returns in the third period).[4][5][6][7] It was the first of thirteen consecutive appearances for the Packers in Detroit on Thanksgiving, through 1963.
Regular season
Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Attendance | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 30 | Washington Redskins | W 35–17 | 1–0 | ||
2 | October 8 | New York Yanks | W 37–10 | 2–0 | ||
3 | October 14 | Los Angeles Rams | L 21–27 | 2–1 | ||
4 | October 21 | at New York Yanks | T 24–24 | 2–1–1 | Briggs Stadium | |
5 | October 28 | Chicago Bears | L 23–28 | 2–2–1 | ||
6 | November 4 | at Green Bay Packers | W 24–17 | 3–2–1 | ||
7 | November 11 | at Chicago Bears | W 41–28 | 4–2–1 | ||
8 | November 18 | at Philadelphia Eagles | W 28–10 | 5–2–1 | ||
9 | November 22 | Green Bay Packers | W 52–35 | 6–2–1 | ||
10 | December 2 | San Francisco 49ers | L 10–20 | 6–3–1 | ||
11 | December 9 | at Los Angeles Rams | W 24–22 | 7–3–1 | ||
12 | December 16 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 17–21 | 7–4–1 |
Standings
NFL National Conference | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | CONF | PF | PA | STK | ||
Los Angeles Rams | 8 | 4 | 0 | .667 | 7–2 | 392 | 261 | W1 | |
San Francisco 49ers | 7 | 4 | 1 | .636 | 5–2–1 | 255 | 205 | W3 | |
Detroit Lions | 7 | 4 | 1 | .636 | 5–4–1 | 336 | 259 | L1 | |
Chicago Bears | 7 | 5 | 0 | .583 | 6–2 | 286 | 282 | L1 | |
Green Bay Packers | 3 | 9 | 0 | .250 | 1–8 | 254 | 375 | L7 | |
New York Yanks | 1 | 9 | 2 | .100 | 1–7–2 | 241 | 382 | L2 |
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
References
- "4 battle for pro grid lead". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. December 16, 1951. p. 4, part 2.
- "49ers pull 21-17 upset". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. December 17, 1951. p. 4, part 2.
- 1951 Detroit Lions
- "Packers bow to Layne's passing wizardry, 52-35". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. November 23, 1951. p. 3, part 2.
- "Lions trim crippled Packers in wild scoring game, 52-35". Milwaukee Journal. November 23, 1951. p. 2, part 2.
- "Layne's 4 TD passes lead Lions over Packers, 52-35". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. November 23, 1951. p. 40.
- "Elias Says..." ESPN.com. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
- "Walker, Harder score twice in Lions victory". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. October 9, 1951. p. 8, part 2.
- "Lions take lead in NFL's National loop". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. October 9, 1951. p. 24.