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 coachBuddy Parker
Home fieldBriggs Stadium
Results
Record7–4–1
Division placeT-2nd NFL National
Playoff finishDid 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
Main article: 1951 NFL season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Attendance Venue
1 September 30 Washington Redskins W 35–17 1–0 27,831
2 October 8 New York Yanks W 37–10 2–0 24,194
3 October 14 Los Angeles Rams L 21–27 2–1 50,567
4 October 21 New York Yanks T 24–24 2–1–1 21,807 Briggs Stadium
5 October 28 Chicago Bears L 23–28 2–2–1 34,778
6 November 4 at Green Bay Packers W 24–17 3–2–1 18,165
7 November 11 at Chicago Bears W 41–28 4–2–1 43,709
8 November 18 at Philadelphia Eagles W 28–10 5–2–1 25,098
9 November 22 Green Bay Packers W 52–35 6–2–1 32,247
10 December 2 San Francisco 49ers L 10–20 6–3–1 45,757
11 December 9 at Los Angeles Rams W 24–22 7–3–1 52,937
12 December 16 at San Francisco 49ers L 17–21 7–4–1 26,465

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
  1. "4 battle for pro grid lead". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. December 16, 1951. p. 4, part 2.
  2. "49ers pull 21-17 upset". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. December 17, 1951. p. 4, part 2.
  3. 1951 Detroit Lions
  4. "Packers bow to Layne's passing wizardry, 52-35". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. November 23, 1951. p. 3, part 2.
  5. "Lions trim crippled Packers in wild scoring game, 52-35". Milwaukee Journal. November 23, 1951. p. 2, part 2.
  6. "Layne's 4 TD passes lead Lions over Packers, 52-35". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. November 23, 1951. p. 40.
  7. "Elias Says..." ESPN.com. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  8. "Walker, Harder score twice in Lions victory". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. October 9, 1951. p. 8, part 2.
  9. "Lions take lead in NFL's National loop". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. October 9, 1951. p. 24.
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