1953 Cleveland Browns season


The 1953 Cleveland Browns season was the team's fourth season with the National Football League. Their start of eleven wins before losing their last game was the closest to a true perfect season in the NFL until the 1972 Miami Dolphins. After that fifteen-point loss at Philadelphia, the Browns met the Detroit Lions in the NFL Championship Game for the second straight year; the Lions won again, this time by a point at home.

Exhibition schedule

Regular season

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordAttendance
1September 27at Green Bay PackersW 27–01–0
22,604
2October 4at Chicago CardinalsW 27–72–0
24,374
3October 10Philadelphia EaglesW 37–133–0
45,802
4October 18at Washington RedskinsW 30–144–0
33,963
5October 25at New York GiantsW 7–05–0
30,773
6November 1Washington RedskinsW 27–36–0
47,845
7November 8Pittsburgh SteelersW 34–167–0
35,592
8November 15San Francisco 49ersW 23–218–0
80,698
9November 22at Pittsburgh SteelersW 20–169–0
32,904
10November 29Chicago CardinalsW 27–1610–0
24,499
11December 6New York GiantsW 62–1411–0
40,235
12December 13at Philadelphia EaglesL 42–2711–1
38,654

Game summaries

Week 1 at Milwaukee

In the first-ever regular season meeting between Cleveland and Green Bay, the Browns rolled up 376 yards and Otto Graham completed 18 0f 24 yards to highlight a 27–0 season opening win in at the new County Stadium in Milwaukee. The Browns yield 159 yards and allow the Packers to penetrate Cleveland territory just four times.

Week 5 at New York

Graham scores the game's only touchdown on a 4-yard run in the second period as the Browns beat the Giants, 7-0, on a muddy Polo Grounds field. Graham, who attempts only five passes as the inclement conditions, scores after an offsides penalty on Lou Groza's missed field goal attempt gives the Browns a critical first down.

Week 6 vs. Washington

The undefeated Browns make life miserable for Redskins quarterback Eddie LeBaron by intercepting four passes in a 27-3 win at Cleveland Stadium. Tommy James ties his own Browns record with three as Cleveland scores 24 points off turnovers.

Week 8 vs. San Francisco

A Cleveland Stadium crowd of 80,698 watches the Browns dispatch longtime rival San Francisco, 23–21. With the Browns leading 10–0, Graham is knocked out of bounds by defensive back Fred Bruney and elbowed in the face by linebacker Art Michalik, who opens a gash that requires 15 stitches and nearly incites a riot. Graham returns for the third quarter wearing a clear plastic protective bar in front of his face, a device that will evolve into today's face mask. Showing little effect from his injury, Graham leads the Browns to 13 second half points and the victory.

Week 11 vs. New York

The Browns improve to 11–0 by winning a 62–14 laugher over the Giants at Cleveland Stadium. George Ratterman starts in place of Graham and completes 15-of-27 passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns. Graham plays briefly and completes 3-of-4 passes, two for touchdowns. Pete Brewster catches seven passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns in the most productive game of his career.

Standings

NFL Championship Game

WeekDateOpponentResultAttendance
ChampionshipDecember 27at Detroit LionsL 16–17
54,577

Awards and records