1947 Cleveland Browns season

NFL team season November 2013 March 2026 Cleveland Browns 1947 Paul Brown Arthur B. McBride Cleveland Stadium 12–1–1 1st AAFC Western Otto GrahamMac Speedie Won AAFC Championship(at Yankees) 14–3 Browns seasons The 1947 Cleveland Browns season was the team's second in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Led by head coach Paul Brown, Cleveland finished with a 12–1–1 record, winning the Western division and the AAFC championship for the second straight year. As in 1946, quarterback Otto Graham led an offensive attack that featured fullback Marion Motley, ends Dante Lavelli, and Mac Speedie. After a number of coaching changes and roster moves in the offseason, including signing punter Horace Gillom and fullback Tony Adamle, the Browns began with a 30–14 win over the Buffalo Bills, the first of five consecutive victories. The team lost its only game of the season to the Los Angeles Dons in October. Five more wins followed before a come-from-behind tie in November with the New York Yankees, the team Cleveland defeated in the 1946 AAFC championship. The Browns won their last two games, including a 42–0 shutout over the Baltimore Colts in the finale, to set up a championship game rematch with the Yankees in December. Cleveland beat the Yankees 14–3 in New York on an icy field to win its second championship in a row. Graham was named the AAFC's most valuable player after leading the league in passing yards, with 2,753, and passing touchdowns, with 25. Speedie led the league in receiving, and several other Cleveland players were named to sportswriters' All-Pro lists. Brown was named the league's coach of the year by Pro Football Illustrated. The Browns played all their home games in Cleveland Stadium, attracting an average crowd of 55,848, the best home attendance record in both the AAFC and the competing National Football League (NFL). Offseason and roster moves Cleveland finished with a 12–2 regular-season record and won the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) championship in 1946, the league's first year of play.Piascik 2007 64 Despite the team's strength, however, head coach Paul Brown made a number of roster moves before the beginning of 1947.Piascik 2007 69 He signed Tony Adamle, a fullback and linebacker who joined the team even though he had two years of college eligibility left at Ohio State University, and guard Bob Gaudio, another Ohio State player.Piascik 2007 70 Guard Weldon Humble, who Brown recruited out of Rice University in Texas, also joined the team.Piascik 2007 71 In the Browns' biggest trade of the offseason, Brown sent end John Harrington to the Chicago Rockets for Bill Boedeker, a halfback.Piascik 2007 71 Perhaps the most significant signing, however, was punter Horace Gillom, who had played for Brown at Massillon Washington High School and who Brown had recruited to Ohio State before World War II.Piascik 2007 71 Gillom could kick the ball further than most punters of his era.Piascik 2007 259 He changed the way teams approached punting by lining up 15 yards behind the center instead of the customary 10 yards to give himself more space and time to make his kicks.Piascik 2007 72 Gillom was also the third black player to sign with the Browns at a time when many teams did not employ African-Americans.Piascik 2007 71 Cleveland chose fullback Dick Hoerner in the 1947 AAFC draft, but he signed instead with the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League.Piascik 2007 72Cleveland Browns official Web site History: 1947 http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/results/1947_stats.php April 14, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20061021102212/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/results/1947_stats.php October 21, 2006 The Browns also made a number of changes to the coaching staff before the season. Bob Voigts, the tackles coach in 1946, left to become head football coach at Northwestern University.Piascik 2007 73 Bill Edwards, a former schoolmate of Brown's at Massillon, was hired to replace him.Piascik 2007 73 Red Conkright, the end and center coach in 1946, left for an assistant coaching job with the Buffalo Bills; he was replaced by Dick Gallagher.Piascik 2007 73 Creighton Miller, meanwhile, who had served as a backfield coach, left the Browns staff to get a law degree.Piascik 2007 73 Roster and coaching staff 1947 Cleveland Browns rosterBacks 66 Ermal Allen y RB/QB/CB 99 Bill Boedeker RB/CB 92 Tommy Colella RB/CB 80 Bob Cowan y RB/CB 70 Spiro Dellerba FB/LB 94 Jim Dewar American football y RB/CB 60 Otto Graham QB/S 85 Don Greenwood American football RB/CB 90 Edgar Jones running back RB/CB 62 Cliff Lewis quarterback CB/QB 82 Bill Lund RB/CB 86 Lew Mayne RB 76 Marion Motley FB/MLB 84 Ray Terrell RB/CB Ends/Receivers 59 Horace Gillom y P 56 Dante Lavelli 58 Mac Speedie 50 John Yonakor 52 George Young American football player Linemen/Linebackers 74 Tony Adamle y OLB/FB 42 Chet Adams DT/T/K 48 Ernie Blandin DT/T 22 Frank Gatski C/LB 34 Bob Gaudio American football y G 46 Lou Groza T/K 32 Lin Houston G/DG 38 Weldon Humble G/DG 24 Mel Maceau C/LB 45 Roman Piskor T/DT 44 Lou Rymkus T/DT 72 Lou Saban OLB/C/K 20 Mike Scarry C/LB 49 Lenny Simonetti DT/T 36 Ed Ulinski DG/G 30 Bill Willis DG/GHead Coach Paul Brown Assistants John Brickels (Backfield) Blanton Collier (Backfield) Bill Edwards (Tackles) Dick Gallagher (Ends) Fritz Heisler (Guards) rookies in italics Preseason Colts 0 0 0 0 Browns 0 7 7 14 August 29 Rubber Bowl, Akron, Ohio 33,106 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer yes 2 CLE Mac Speedie 25-yard pass from Otto Graham CLE 7–0 3 CLE Dante Lavelli 36-yard pass from Otto Graham CLE 14–0 4 CLE Edgar Jones 2-yard rush CLE 21–0 4 CLE Bob Cowan 62-yard pass from Ermal Allen CLE 28–0 yes Cleveland held its training camp at Bowling Green University, as it did the year before. The Browns played one preseason game in late August against the Baltimore Colts, a new AAFC team formed to replace the Miami Seahawks after the Seahawks folded.Sauerbrei Harold Browns Fire Three Touchdown Passes to Defeat Baltimore, 28–0 Cleveland Plain Dealer August 30, 1947 Akron, Ohio 13 The Browns scored their first points on a drive in the second period. A 14-yard run by fullback Marion Motley set up a 25-yard touchdown throw by quarterback Otto Graham to end Mac Speedie. Cleveland scored three more touchdowns in the game, all of them following Colts passes the Browns intercepted. One of them was a pass by Graham to end Dante Lavelli in the third quarter, and another was a rush by halfback Edgar Jones. Paul Brown pulled most of the Browns' starters from the game as the team built up a three-touchdown lead. Backup end Bob Cowan scored a fourth Cleveland touchdown in the final quarter on a pass from backup quarterback Ermal Allen, and the Browns won 28–0. Following the victory, the Browns faced the Buffalo Bills in the regular-season opener at Cleveland Stadium to begin their defense of the AAFC championship. Regular season results Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Gamerecap 1 September 5 Buffalo Bills W 30–14 1–0 Cleveland Stadium 63,263 Recap 2 September 12 at Brooklyn Dodgers W 55–7 2–0 Ebbets Field 18,876 Recap 3 September 21 Baltimore Colts W 28–0 3–0 Cleveland Stadium 44,257 Recap 4 September 26 at Chicago Rockets W 41–21 4–0 Soldier Field 18,450 Recap 5 October 5 New York Yankees W 26–17 5–0 Cleveland Stadium 80,067 Recap 6 October 12 Los Angeles Dons L 10–13 5–1 Cleveland Stadium 63,124 Recap 7 October 19 Chicago Rockets W 31–28 6–1 Cleveland Stadium 35,266 Recap 8 October 26 at San Francisco 49ers W 14–7 7–1 Kezar Stadium 54,483 Recap 9 November 2 at Buffalo Bills W 28–7 8–1 War Memorial Stadium 43,167 Recap 10 November 9 Brooklyn Dodgers W 13–12 9–1 Cleveland Stadium 30,279 Recap 11 November 16 San Francisco 49ers W 37–14 10–1 Cleveland Stadium 76,504 Recap 12 November 23 at New York Yankees T 28–28 10–1–1 Yankee Stadium 70,060 Recap 13 November 27 at Los Angeles Dons W 27–17 11–1–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 45,009 Recap 14 December 7 at Baltimore Colts W 42–0 12–1–1 Memorial Stadium 20,574 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1: vs. Buffalo Bills 1947 Buffalo Bills (AAFC) season Bills 0 0 14 0 Browns 13 14 0 3 September 5 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 63,263 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Edgar Jones 11-yard rush (kick failed) CLE 6–0 1 CLE Marion Motley 3-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 13–0 2 CLE Marion Motley 48-yard interception return (Lou Groza kick) CLE 20–0 2 CLE Dante Lavelli 51-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 27–0 3 BUF Lou Tomasetti 3-yard rush (Steve Juzwik kick) CLE 27–7 3 BUF Al Coppage 3-yard pass from George Ratterman (Steve Juzwik kick) CLE 27–14 4 CLE Lou Groza 17-yard field goal CLE 30–14 yes Cleveland began the season with a 30–14 win over the Buffalo Bills.Piascik 2007 74 The Browns got out to a fast start, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter and adding two more in the second while holding the Bills scoreless.Henshan John Ratterman, who beat Bears, says Browns are stronger http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19470905BROWNS.html October 2, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer September 5, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20110919225809/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19470905BROWNS.html September 19, 2011 dead mdy-all Buffalo came back in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns of its own, but Cleveland held its lead. Browns coach Paul Brown criticized the performance after the game, saying the team had failed to keep pace in the second half after he rotated in some of his younger players. "We got a good head of steam and took a commanding lead in the first half and then let down and looked bad in the last two periods," he said. Buffalo quarterback George Ratterman felt pressure from Cleveland's defense the whole game, and said the Browns were better than the Chicago Bears, who had won the 1946 NFL Championship Game the previous season. "Their line rushed me all night long and I didn't have much of a chance to get the ball away accurately," Ratterman said. "I think the Browns are much better than the Bears, especially their line." Placekicker Lou Groza had his extra point blocked after the Browns' first touchdown. It was his first missed extra point since Cleveland started play in 1946. Week 2: vs. Brooklyn Dodgers 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC) season Browns 20 0 21 14 Dodgers 0 7 0 0 September 12 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York 18,876 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Marion Motley 13-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 7–0 1 CLE Tommy Colella 82-yard punt return (kick failed) CLE 13–0 1 CLE Dante Lavelli 53-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 20–0 2 BKD Bob Hoernschemeyer 6-yard rush (Phil Martinovich kick) CLE 20–7 3 CLE Marion Motley 51-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 27–7 3 CLE Mac Speedie 19-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 34–7 3 CLE Bill Lund 28-yard interception return (Lou Groza kick) CLE 41–7 4 CLE Bill Boedeker 2-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 48–7 4 CLE Bill Boedeker 8-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 55–7 yes Cleveland next faced the Brooklyn Dodgers, winning 55–7.Piascik 2007 74 The Browns scored three touchdowns in five minutes during the first quarter.Sauerbrei Harold Browns Score 3 in Five Minutes in 55–7 Rout of Brooklyn http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19470912BROWNS.html October 2, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer September 12, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20140331010758/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19470912BROWNS.html March 31, 2014 dead mdy-all Cleveland added five more touchdowns in the second half and held a comfortable lead to the end. Fullback Marion Motley ran for 111 yards on five carries and scored two touchdowns, including a 50-yard run at the beginning of the second half. Tommy Colella scored a touchdown on an 82-yard punt return, and Bill Lund ran back an interception 28 yards for another. It was in this game that the Draw play was accidentally invented when Otto Graham tripped while dropping back for a pass. As he went down, sensing blitzers about to wallop him, he stuck the ball in Motley's stomach who scampered for a sizable gain. Liking the effect, Brown added it to the playbook during halftime. By the next game the play became a staple of the offense with several versions for different situations.Graham 2004 95 As Cleveland's lead increased in the second half, Brown put in second-string players. Quarterback Otto Graham was replaced by Ermal Allen, who threw for two of the Browns' touchdowns and intercepted a pass while playing on defense. Cliff Lewis, Graham's primary backup, also played in the game. Brooklyn's only score came in the second quarter on a Bob Hoernschemeyer rush. The Dodgers were hurt by short punts from Mickey Colmer and a poor passing game. The team was held to 39 yards of passing. Edgar Jones, Cleveland's primary halfback suffered an elbow injury during the game. Week 3: vs. Baltimore Colts 1947 Baltimore Colts season Colts 0 0 0 0 Browns 21 7 0 0 September 21 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 44,257 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Marion Motley 2-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 7–0 1 CLE Tommy Colella 23-yard interception return (Lou Groza kick) CLE 14–0 1 CLE Bill Boedeker 6-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 21–0 2 CLE Bob Cowan 1-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 28–0 yes Cleveland shut out the Colts 28–0 in the third game of the regular season.Sauerbrei Harold Browns Bump Baltimore, 28–0, Remain Only Unbeaten A.A. Team http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19470921BROWNS.html October 2, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer September 21, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20110918074223/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19470921BROWNS.html September 18, 2011 dead mdy-all The team scored three of its four touchdowns in the first quarter in a span of 12 plays. Two of those touchdowns came on runs, one by Motley and the other by Bill Boedeker; the third was a Colella interception returned for a score. The Browns' fourth touchdown, a short run by Bob Cowan, came at the end of the second quarter. Cleveland was helped by strong punting from Horace Gillom, who had a 55.7-yard average for the game, including punts of 85 and 80 yards. Graham was taken out of the game in the first half along with most of the team's first-string players. Bud Schwenk substituted at quarterback later in the game, but the team did not score in the second half. Baltimore had two opportunities to score, once reaching the Browns' four-yard line, but the Cleveland defense held. The victory made the Browns the only undefeated team in the AAFC after the San Francisco 49ers lost to the New York Yankees Week 4: vs. Chicago Rockets 1947 Chicago Rockets season Browns 10 17 0 14 Rockets 0 0 14 7 September 26 Soldier Field, Chicago 23,067 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Lou Groza 32-yard field goal CLE 3–0 1 CLE Mac Speedie 70-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 10–0 2 CLE John Yonakor 8-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 17–0 2 CLE Bob Cowan 3-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 24–0 2 CLE Lou Groza 20-yard field goal CLE 27–0 3 CHR Frank Quillen 23-yard pass from Sam Vacanti (John Rokisky kick) CLE 27–7 3 CHR Bob Dove 14-yard pass from Sam Vacanti (John Rokisky kick) CLE 27–14 4 CLE Bill Boedeker 14-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 34–14 4 CLE Spiro Dellerba 10-yard fumble return (Lou Groza kick) CLE 41–14 4 CHR Bill Bass 22-yard pass from Sam Vacanti (John Rokisky kick) CLE 41–21 yes Cleveland beat the Chicago Rockets 41–21 at Chicago's Soldier Field to extend the team's winning streak to four games.Sauerbrei Harold Browns Nail 4th Straight, 41–21 http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19470926BROWNS.html October 3, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer September 26, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20141019010433/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19470926BROWNS.html October 19, 2014 dead mdy-all The Browns scored a touchdown in the first quarter and two more in the second. The team led 27–0 at the half. Chicago, however, started to come back in the third quarter after Cleveland coach Paul Brown took out most of his first-string players. Graham, Colella, Lew Mayne and Ed Ulinski sat out most of the game. Chicago quarterback Sam Vacanti threw three touchdown passes in the second half to give the Rockets 21 points, but a score by Cleveland's Boedeker and a fumble return for a touchdown by Spiro Dellerba kept the game out of reach. The Rockets' Bill Kellagher intercepted one of Graham's passes in the first quarter, ending Graham's streak of 91 straight pass attempts without an interception, a professional football record at the time. Chicago had the best passing performance against the Browns of any team the Browns had faced in 1947 as Vacanti threw for 195 yards on 11 completions. Groza kicked through two field goals and five extra points in the game, putting him in third place in scoring in the AAFC behind Motley and New York's Spec Sanders. Motley suffered a head injury during a pileup in the second quarter and was taken to the locker room. Week 5: vs. New York Yankees 1947 New York Yankees (AAFC) season Yankees 3 0 14 0 Browns 0 17 6 3 October 5 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 80,067 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 NYY Harvey Johnson 47-yard field goal NYY 3–0 2 CLE Bob Cowan 42-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 7–3 2 CLE Tommy Colella 28-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 14–3 2 CLE Lou Groza 25-yard field goal CLE 17–3 3 NYY Lloyd Cheatham 7-yard pass from Spec Sanders (Harvey Johnson kick) CLE 17–10 3 NYY Bob Sweiger 20-yard interception return (Harvey Johnson kick) 17–17 3 CLE Mac Speedie 10-yard pass from Otto Graham (kick failed) CLE 23–17 4 CLE Lou Groza 43-yard field goal CLE 26–17 yes Cleveland next faced the Yankees at home in a rematch of the previous year's title game.Piascik 2007 75 The crowd of 80,067 was the second-largest in professional football history at the time.Piascik 2007 75 More people were turned away at the gates because Cleveland Stadium was filled to capacity.Sauerbrei Harold Browns win 26–17; 80,067 see game http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471005BROWNS.html October 3, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer October 5, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003854/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19471005BROWNS.html March 4, 2016 dead mdy-all New York scored first in the first quarter on a 47-yard field goal by Harvey Johnson, but Cleveland came back in the second quarter, putting up 17 points to lead 17–3 at halftime.Piascik 2007 75 New York came back and tied the game 17–17 in the third quarter.Piascik 2007 75 Graham responded with a touchdown throw to Speedie in the third quarter.Piascik 2007 75 The Yankees threatened a comeback in the final minutes when Lou Sossamon blocked a Groza field goal try and New York recovered, advancing the ball to Cleveland's 25-yard line. Cleveland, however, took over on downs and ran down the clock to three minutes with a series of running plays, reaching New York's 35-yard line. Groza then attempted a field goal that fell short, but the Yankees were called offside, and Groza successfully booted his next try through, giving Cleveland a 26–17 victory. The Browns had 14 first downs to New York's 11 and rushed for 212 yards, compared to 111 for the Yankees. Graham had 11 completions for 161 passing yards despite being sacked five times for 72 yards of losses. Week 6: vs. Los Angeles Dons 1947 Los Angeles Dons season Dons 0 7 3 3 Browns 10 0 0 0 October 12 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 63,124 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Lou Groza 28-yard field goal CLE 3–0 1 CLE Marion Motley 14-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 10–0 2 LAD Chuck Fenenbock 28-yard fumble return (Ben Agajanian kick) CLE 10–7 3 LAD Ben Agajanian 46-yard field goal 10–10 4 LAD Ben Agajanian 17-yard field goal LAD 13–10 yes Cleveland lost its first game of the season to the Dons, 13–10.Sauerbrei Harold Los Angeles ends Browns streak, 13–10 http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471012BROWNS.html October 3, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer October 12, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20110919213601/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19471012BROWNS.html September 19, 2011 dead mdy-all The Browns opened the scoring with a Groza field goal in the first quarter followed by a touchdown run from Motley, his sixth of the season, to go up 10–0. Los Angeles, however, scored a touchdown in the second quarter to come within three points of the Browns. Dons kicker Ben Agajanian then kicked field goals in the third and fourth quarters to win the game. The final field goal came in the closing seconds of the game after the Dons reached the Browns' 28-yard line. Agajanian missed on his first attempt, but Cleveland were penalized five yards for having 12 men on the field. Agajanian made his second attempt, giving Los Angeles the victory. Cleveland was hurt by three fumbles that set up scores, including the winning field goal. Lavelli suffered bruises to his ribs during the game, and center Mike Scarry had an ankle injury. The loss put the Browns in a virtual tie with the 49ers at 5–1 – the 49ers had the same record, but with an additional tie. Week 7: vs. Chicago Rockets 1947 Chicago Rockets season Rockets 0 7 0 21 Browns 3 7 7 14 October 19 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 35,266 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Lou Groza 21-yard field goal CLE 3–0 2 CHR Elroy Hirsch 37-yard pass from Sam Vacanti (John Rokisky kick) CHR 7–3 2 CLE Marion Motley 22-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 10–7 3 CLE Mac Speedie 49-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 17–7 4 CLE Edgar Jones 2-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 24–7 4 CHR Ray Ramsey 11-yard rush (John Rokisky kick) CLE 24–14 4 CLE Edgar Jones 3-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 31–14 4 CHR Ray Ramsey 7-yard pass from Sam Vacanti (John Rokisky kick) CLE 31–21 4 CHR Ray Ramsey 20-yard pass from Sam Vacanti (John Rokisky kick) CLE 31–28 yes Cleveland rebounded from its first loss of the season with a 31–28 victory over the Rockets.Sauerbrei Harold Browns triumph, 31–28, as Rockets pile up 21 points in final period http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471019BROWNS.html October 3, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer October 19, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062324/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19471019BROWNS.html March 4, 2016 dead mdy-all The game started slow; Groza's 21-yard field goal was the only score in the first quarter. The Rockets then went ahead by scoring a touchdown on a long pass from quarterback Vacanti to end Elroy Hirsch. Cleveland, however, piled on the points as Motley ran for a touchdown in the second quarter and Speedie caught a pass from Graham in the third. Jones added two touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, giving Cleveland a 31–14 lead. Chicago almost caught up at the end of the game, scoring two touchdowns, but the Browns held on to win. Cleveland's third-string players were on the field in the closing minutes when Chicago made its final push. Rockets rookie Ray Ramsey had three touchdowns in the game. Graham had 239 passing yards on 10 completions. Speedie caught half of them, gaining 166 yards. His touchdown came after he dropped to the ground to grab a 17-yard pass from Graham. He faked a backward lateral while on the ground, which drew Chicago's defense away from him, and then got up and ran into the end zone. Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers 1947 San Francisco 49ers season Browns 7 7 0 0 49ers 0 0 7 0 October 26 Kezar Stadium, San Francisco 54,483 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Dante Lavelli 22-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 7–0 2 CLE Mac Speedie 42-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 14–0 3 SFO Norm Standlee 1-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick) CLE 14–7 yes The Browns next faced the San Francisco 49ers, one of the AAFC's stronger teams. San Francisco's record was 5–1–1; its only loss came in a close game against the Yankees, another top team.Piascik 2007 76 The 49ers were built around a group of players including quarterback Frankie Albert, end Alyn Beals and back Norm Standlee.Piascik 2007 76 The game was played in a heavy fog at Kezar Stadium before a crowd of more than 54,000 people.Piascik 2007 76 Cleveland received the opening kickoff, and Graham drove the team to San Francisco's 7-yard line. Jones, however, fumbled the ball and the 49ers took over.Sauerbrei Harold Graham hurls 2 touchdown passes as Browns stop 49ers, 14–7 http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471026BROWNS.html October 6, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer October 26, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20110919091831/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19471026BROWNS.html September 19, 2011 dead mdy-all After forcing a punt, Cleveland got the ball back and scored on a pass to Lavelli set up by a Motley run and two completions to Speedie. Cleveland scored another touchdown in the second quarter on a long pass to Speedie, and the Browns were ahead by two touchdowns at the half. San Francisco came back on the first drive of the second half, which was capped by a Standlee run for a touchdown from one yard out. Cleveland came close to scoring again in the fourth quarter, but a fumble by Motley ended the drive. The Browns, however, held on to win 14–7. Speedie was the league's leading receiver by the eighth week, having surpassed Alyn Beals and Lavelli. He had 10 catches for 141 yards against San Francisco; the 10 receptions in a single game set an AAFC record. Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills 1947 Buffalo Bills (AAFC) season Browns 7 7 7 7 Bills 0 0 0 7 September 12 War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, New York 43,167 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Edgar Jones 12-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 7–0 2 CLE Mac Speedie 99-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 14–0 3 CLE Dante Lavelli 11-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 21–0 4 CLE John Yonakor 39-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 28–0 4 BUF Al Baldwin 11-yard pass from George Ratterman (Graham Armstrong kick) CLE 28–7 yes A crowd of 43,167 people was on hand to watch the Browns play the Bills, Buffalo's biggest-ever home attendance figure.Piascik 2007 77 Cleveland scored a touchdown in each of the game's four quarters, winning 28–7.Sauerbrei Harold Graham fires 3 scoring passes as Browns hurdle Buffalo, 28–7 http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471102BROWNS.html October 6, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer November 2, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222147/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471102BROWNS.html March 3, 2016 dead mdy-all The first score followed several completions by Graham that set up a 12-yard touchdown run by Jones. In the second period, Cleveland tied a professional football record when Graham, pinned at his own one-yard line, threw a screen pass to Speedie. Speedie caught the ball and ran for a 99-yard touchdown, setting an AAFC record and tying the National Football League record for longest completed pass. The Browns scored again in the third quarter on a diving catch by Lavelli, who rolled into the end zone, and in the fourth quarter on a pass to John Yonakor. Buffalo scored its only points in the fourth period when George Ratterman connected with Al Baldwin for the quarterback's 16th touchdown of the season. Graham threw 13 completions for 246 yards as passing accounted for most of the team's 392 yards of total offense. Cleveland's defense was also strong, preventing the Bills from scoring on several drives that ventured deep into Browns territory. The win was the eighth for Cleveland in nine games and preserved its spot at the top of the AAFC standings. Week 10: vs. Brooklyn Dodgers 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC) season Dodgers 6 0 0 6 Browns 7 6 0 0 November 9 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 30,279 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 BKD Mickey Colmer 4-yard rush (kick failed) BKD 6–0 1 CLE Dante Lavelli 72-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 7–6 2 CLE Lew Mayne 15-yard pass from Otto Graham (kick failed) CLE 13–6 4 BKD Monk Gafford 79-yard rush (kick failed) CLE 13–12 yes The Browns were expected to win their November 9 game against the Brooklyn Dodgers by a wide margin; the Dodgers had just one win, and the Browns scored eight touchdowns when the teams played in September.Sauerbrei Harold Browns squeeze by Dodgers, 13–12; Bid for Western title Sunday http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471109BROWNS.html October 6, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer November 9, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232507/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19471109BROWNS.html March 3, 2016 dead mdy-all The Dodgers, however, drove 80 yards on their first possession for a touchdown. Placekicker Phil Martinovich missed the extra point. Cleveland responded as Graham passed to Lavelli for a 72-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage on its ensuing possession. Groza kicked through the extra point to give the Browns a 7–6 lead. Cleveland scored again on its next possession, this time a 15-yard pass from Graham to Lew Mayne. After the second touchdown, Graham threw two interceptions and the Browns did not advance the ball past the Brooklyn 42-yard line. The Dodgers, meanwhile, threatened to score numerous times, advancing deep into Cleveland territory. One Brooklyn touchdown by Bob Hoernschemeyer was called back because of a holding penalty. Martinovich contributed to the frustration by missing four field goal tries. He also missed the extra point when the Dodgers did score in the fourth quarter on a long Monk Gafford rush. The Dodgers' missteps gave the Browns a 13–12 victory, extending their lead over the 49ers for the best record in the AAFC after San Francisco lost to the Yankees.Piascik 2007 77 Week 11: vs. San Francisco 49ers 1947 San Francisco 49ers season 49ers 0 7 0 7 Browns 9 7 14 7 November 16 Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 76,504 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Chet Adams 44-yard field goal CLE 3–0 1 CLE Dante Lavelli 23-yard pass from Otto Graham (kick failed) CLE 9–0 2 SFO Len Eshmont 8-yard pass from Frankie Albert (Joe Vetrano kick) CLE 9–7 2 CLE Dante Lavelli 15-yard pass from Otto Graham (Chet Adams kick) CLE 16–7 3 CLE Otto Graham 1-yard rush (Lou Saban kick) CLE 23–7 3 CLE Dante Lavelli 64-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Saban kick) CLE 30–7 4 SFO Johnny Strzykalski 5-yard rush (Joe Vetrano kick) CLE 30–14 4 CLE Tony Adamle 1-yard rush (Lou Saban kick) CLE 37–14 yes Cleveland next faced San Francisco at home, winning 37–14 before one of the biggest crowds of the season.Piascik 2007 77 Chet Adams opened the scoring for the Browns with a 44-yard field goal; he and Lou Saban shared kicking duties in the game after Groza pulled his leg muscle during pre-game warmups.Sauerbrei Harold 76,504 see Browns rout 49ers, 37–14, to win Western Division crown http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471116BROWNS.html October 6, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer November 16, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000124/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19471116BROWNS.html March 4, 2016 dead mdy-all On the ensuing possession, Albert had the ball stripped by Cleveland's Weldon Humble, and the Browns took over and scored their first touchdown on a Graham pass to Lavelli. San Francisco scored a touchdown near the beginning of the second quarter, but Cleveland dominated the scoring thereafter. Lavelli caught seven passes for a total of three touchdowns, setting an AAFC single-game record. Graham also rushed for a one-yard touchdown and threw for 222 yards. His touchdown passes made him the league leader in that category, with 18 on the season. It was the biggest margin of victory the Browns had ever recorded against the 49ers. Cleveland was helped by an adjustment Paul Brown made in his receivers' routes; the coach had Lavelli and Speedie run toward the middle of the field instead of trying to get open near the sidelines, as they had done in past games. The victory clinched the AAFC's western division for the Browns and assured the team a spot in the championship game. Week 12: vs. New York Yankees 1947 New York Yankees (AAFC) season Browns 0 7 14 7 Yankees 14 14 0 0 November 23 Yankee Stadium, New York City 70,060 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 NYY Spec Sanders 1-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick) NYY 7–0 1 NYY Spec Sanders 3-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick) NYY 14–0 2 NYY Spec Sanders 27-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick) NYY 21–0 2 NYY Buddy Young 5-yard rush (Harvey Johnson kick) NYY 28–0 2 CLE Bill Boedeker 34-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Saban kick) NYY 28–7 3 CLE Marion Motley 12-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Saban kick) NYY 28–14 3 CLE Marion Motley 10-yard rush (Lou Saban kick) NYY 28–21 4 CLE Jim Dewar 5-yard rush (Lou Saban kick) 28–28 yes Cleveland's next game was against the Yankees, who had the best record in the AAFC's eastern division and were a likely opponent in the championship game.Sauerbrei Harold Browns' Great Rally Ties Yanks, 28–28 http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471123BROWNS.html October 6, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer November 23, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001604/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19471123BROWNS.html March 4, 2016 dead mdy-all New York took an early lead as Spec Sanders scored two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter and added a third in the second. Sanders, called "Spectacular Spec" by New York sportswriters, was having a career season.Piascik 2007 78 By the end of the year, he had compiled 1,432 rushing yards and 1,442 passing yards; his 18 touchdowns set a professional football record that was not surpassed until the 1960s.Piascik 2007 78 After Sanders' three touchdowns, New York's Buddy Young added a fourth in the second quarter, widening the Yankees' lead to 28–0. Cleveland's Bill Boedeker scored a touchdown on a pass from Graham at the end of the period, but the game appeared out of reach for Cleveland at the half. The Browns, however, came back in the second half. Motley rushed for two touchdowns in the third quarter and Jim Dewar ran for a score in the fourth. The game ended in a tie. At halftime, Yankees players had hurled insults at the Browns. "They got us upset, got us angry," Graham later said. "Finally we got mad as a team and we said, 'We'll show these guys,' and we started playing football."Piascik 2007 79 More than 70,000 fans came to watch the game, a record for a New York pro football game that stood until 1958.Piascik 2007 79 Attendance was boosted by the presence of about 25,000 black fans who came in part to watch the four black players in the game: Buddy Young of the Yankees and Motley, Bill Willis and Horace Gillom of the Browns.Piascik 2007 79 Groza was injured during the game and was not able to play.Piascik 2007 79 Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Dons 1947 Los Angeles Dons season Browns 7 7 6 7 Dons 10 0 0 7 November 27 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 45,009 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 LAD Ben Agajanian 43-yard field goal LAD 3–0 1 LAD Harry Clarke 8-yard interception return (Ben Agajanian kick) LAD 10–0 1 CLE Marion Motley 43-yard rush (Lou Saban kick) LAD 10–7 2 CLE Tommy Colella 18-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Saban kick) CLE 14–10 3 CLE Lew Mayne 69-yard pass from Otto Graham (kick failed) CLE 20–10 4 LAD Chuck Fenenbock 35-yard pass from Glenn Dobbs (Ben Agajanian kick) CLE 20–17 4 CLE Mac Speedie 8-yard fumble return (Lou Saban kick) CLE 27–17 yes Cleveland next faced the Dons in Los Angeles.Sauerbrei Harold Browns Overcome 10–0 Deficit to Defeat Los Angeles Dons, 27–17 http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471127BROWNS.html https://archive.today/20130119173753/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471127BROWNS.html dead January 19, 2013 October 6, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer November 27, 1947 The Dons, who had handed the Browns their only loss of the season in October, scored a field goal and touchdown in the first quarter. The Browns responded with a touchdown run from Motley later in the quarter and led by four points at halftime after Tommy Colella caught a pass from Graham for another touchdown in the second period. Cleveland built on the lead in the third quarter with a long touchdown pass to Lew Mayne. Speedie sealed the victory for the Browns when he intercepted a backward lateral pass by Dons quarterback Chuck Fenenbock and ran it back 12 yards for a touchdown with four minutes left in the game. Los Angeles threatened to score numerous times, but Cleveland's defense held. The Browns forced the Dons to punt three times from within their own 10-yard line. Graham had 240 yards of passing. His two touchdown passes added to his league-leading total of 22 on the season. Tackle Lou Saban continued to handle placekicking duties for the Browns as Groza sat out with an injury. Week 14: vs. Baltimore Colts 1947 Baltimore Colts season Browns 14 7 14 7 Colts 0 0 0 0 December 7 Memorial Stadium, Baltimore 20,574 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Edgar Jones 11-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 7–0 1 CLE Dante Lavelli 8-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 14–0 2 CLE Edgar Jones 1-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 21–0 3 CLE Lew Mayne 36-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) CLE 28–0 3 CLE Bill Lund 18-yard pass from Cliff Lewis (Lou Groza kick) CLE 35–0 4 CLE Bill Lund 63-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 42–0 yes Cleveland's final regular-season game was a shutout victory over the Baltimore Colts.Sauerbrei Harold Browns Roll 559 Yards at Baltimore in 42–0 Title Game Tune-Up http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19471207BROWNS.html October 6, 2012 Cleveland Plain Dealer December 7, 1947 https://web.archive.org/web/20140508031553/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19471207BROWNS.html May 8, 2014 dead mdy-all The Browns amassed 559 passing and rushing yards against the Colts, winning 42–0 and ending the season with a 12–1–1 record. Graham threw for three touchdowns, boosting his season total to 25, and raised his total passing yards to 2,752. Backup quarterback Cliff Lewis threw another touchdown in the third quarter as Graham and most of the other starters were pulled from the game. Groza returned to the lineup after sitting out several weeks because of an injury. He kicked all four of the Browns' extra points and played a bigger role than usual as an offensive and defensive tackle because of an injury to Ernie Blandin in the second quarter. Cleveland's defense held Baltimore to 186 yards of total offense. The Yankees beat the Bills 35–13 the same week as Sanders scored three touchdowns. New York ended with an 11–2–1 record, winning the eastern division and a spot in the championship game against the Browns.Piascik 2007 80 Final standings AAFC championship game Browns 7 0 7 0 Yankees 0 3 0 0 December 14 Yankee Stadium, New York City 61,879 Source: Pro Football Reference yes 1 CLE Otto Graham 1-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) CLE 7–0 2 NYY Harvey Johnson 12-yard field goal CLE 7–3 3 CLE Edgar Jones 4-yard rush (Lou Saban kick) CLE 14–3 yes For the second year in a row, the Cleveland Browns and the New York Yankees faced off in the AAFC championship game, this time on a cold December day at Yankee Stadium.Piascik 2007 81 The crowd of 61,879 was the largest ever to watch a professional football championship game.Piascik 2007 81 The Browns and Yankees had played to a 28–28 tie the previous month, but the championship game did not feature much scoring because of an icy field.Piascik 2007 81 The Browns scored a touchdown in the first quarter on a short run by Graham set up by a 51-yard run up the middle of the field by Motley.Piascik 2007 81 New York scored a field goal in the second quarter, but Jones ran for another touchdown in the third, and the Browns won 14–3.Piascik 2007 81 The slippery field made longer passes dangerous, and Graham instead relied on shorter routes, ending the game with 14 completions and 112 passing yards.Piascik 2007 81 Motley was a key performer for the Browns, running for 109 yards on 13 carries, including his touchdown.Piascik 2007 81 The Browns' defense, meanwhile, kept Spec Sanders and New York's offense in check.Piascik 2007 81 New York had just 13 first downs in the game and 212 total yards.Piascik 2007 81 A stop by the defense in the second quarter as the Yankees reached the Browns' five-yard line forced New York to kick its lone field goal.Piascik 2007 82 Tommy Colella added an interception in the third quarter to stop another New York drive.Piascik 2007 82 Sanders had just 40 yards of rushing on 12 attempts and 89 yards of passing.Piascik 2007 82 Gillom's booming punts – his five kicks averaged 45 yards – also helped the Browns stop New York's dangerous return game.Piascik 2007 82 The Yankees had a 4.7-yard punt return average.Piascik 2007 82 Season leaders and awards Graham led the AAFC in passing and was voted the league's most valuable player.Piascik 2007 82 Pro Football Illustrated named Brown the AAFC coach of the year.Piascik 2007 82 Speedie and Lavelli were the AAFC's top two receivers in receptions and receiving yards.Piascik 2007 82 Colella tied for the AAFC lead with six interceptions on the year.Piascik 2007 82 Motley was the AAFC's third-leading rusher, with 889 yards, and Gillom came in second in punting average, with 44.6 yards.Piascik 2007 82 Speedie, Lou Rymkus, Graham and Motley were chosen unanimously by sportswriters for an all-AAFC team.Piascik 2007 82 Lavelli and Bill Willis were also selected by some of the writers.Piascik 2007 82 Graham and Speedie were named first-team selections when the Associated Press put together a combined AAFC and NFL All-Pro list.Piascik 2007 82 Cleveland's success drew large crowds both at home and away in 1947. The team's average home attendance was 55,848 people during the season, slightly lower than in 1946 but still the best in either the AAFC or NFL.Piascik 2007 83 Including away games, a total of 666,017 people saw the Browns play, a professional football record.Piascik 2007 83 Although the team was a major success on the field, the following season was even better for Cleveland. The team won all of its games in 1948 and a third straight AAFC championship.Piascik 2007 81, 121 References 30em Bibliography Piascik Andy 2007 The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns Taylor Trade Publishing Lanham, MD 978-1-58979-571-6 Graham Duey 2004 OttoMatic Immortal Investments Publishing Wayne, MI 0-9723637-4-2 Knight, Jonathan (2013). The Browns Bible: The Complete Game-by-Game History of the Cleveland Browns. Kent, OH: Black Squirrel Books. External links 1947 Cleveland Browns at Pro-Football-Reference.com 1947 Cleveland Browns StatisticsJuly 2026 InternetArchiveBot at jt-sw.com 1947 Cleveland Browns ScheduleJuly 2026 InternetArchiveBot at jt-sw.com 1947 Cleveland BrownsFebruary 2025 medicmedic at Database Football Cleveland Category:Cleveland Browns seasons Category:1947 in sports in Ohio