1957 Detroit Lions: Detroit Dynasty

1957 Detroit Lions: Detroit Dynasty

[paypal_donation_button]1957 Detroit Lions: Detroit Dynasty

In the 1950s the Detroit Lions made four appearances in the championship game and won three times. They excelled in the decade the way the Green Bay Packers did the 1960s and the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s. The Lions won back-to-back championships in 1952 and 1953 posting records of 9-3 and 10-2, but it was their third and final championship season that was packed with the most excitement.

The Lions finished the season 6th in points scored and 7th in points allowed. They entered the 11th week of the 12 week season with a 6-4 record battling the San Francisco 49ers for the right to represent the NFL West Division in the championship game. The Lions hosted the Cleveland Browns and were led by their quarterback of seven years, Bobby Layne. A year before, Layne led the Lions to a 9-3 record while throwing for 1909 yards, 9 passing touchdowns and 5 rushing touchdowns. Before the end of the first quarter of this penultimate game of the season, the unthinkable happened. Bobby Layne broke his ankle and was sidelined for the rest of year.

Layne’s backup, Tobin Rote, stepped in the game and threw a touchdown pass to give the Lions the lead they needed to beat the Browns and improve their record to 7-4. Rote wasn’t acquired to just hold a clipboard behind the future Hall of Fame quarterback, Layne. Rote excelled in the 1956 campaign with the Green Bay Packers. He threw for 2203 yards and 18 touchdowns. With Rote at the helm, the Lions defeated the reigning West Division champion, Chicago Bears, the following week to tie the San Francisco 49ers for the division lead.

The Lions played the 49ers in a playoff game to decide who will face the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship game. The 49ers won their final three games of the regular season to tie the Lions for the division lead. They were led by future Hall of Fame quarterback, Y.A. Tittle. The first half began fast and furious for the 49ers. They took an early 14-0 lead thanks to two Tittle touchdown passes. Tobin Rote and Steve Junker pulled the Lions to within a touchdown, but Tittle threw his third touchdown of the day and the 49ers regained their fourteen point lead. The 49ers would add a field goal to take a 24-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The 49ers would add another field goal in the third quarter before the Lions came alive. Tom Tracy led the way for the Lions with two rushing touchdowns which included a 58-yard run to close the gap. Gene Gedman would complete the comeback with a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give the Lions a 28-27 lead in the 4th quarter. Jim Martin added a field goal and the Lions won the game in dramatic fashion, 31-27.

For the fourth time in six years, the Detroit Lions were playing for the NFL Championship. For the fourth time, the Lions would play the Cleveland Browns in the final game. The Lions won the first two meetings in 1952 and 1953, but the Browns got the better of them in 1954. The Browns won the championship again in 1955 against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Lions jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and continued to light up the scoreboard. The defense held the Browns’ star, Jim Brown, to 69 yards rushing. Tobin Rote played brilliantly. He threw 280 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for a touchdown. The Browns turned the ball over six times and the Lions returned an interception for a touchdown. The Lions won the game 59-14. It was a complete victory for the Lions as they solidified their place in history with their third NFL Championship of the decade.