1957 Detroit Lions season

NFL team season (won NFL Championship) November 2013 March 2026 Detroit Lions 1957 8–4 1st NFL Western (playoff) George Wilson Nick Kerbawy Detroit Football Company Briggs Stadium Won Conference Playoff(at 49ers) 31–27Won NFL Championship(vs. Browns) 59–14 Lions seasons 7 MLB Joe Schmidt SS Jack Christiansen FS Yale Lary LT Lou Creekmur LG Harley Sewell LDH Jim David LDE Darris McCord 5 LT Lou Creekmur (1st team) LG Harley Sewell (2nd team) MLB Joe Schmidt (1st team) SS Jack Christiansen (1st team) FS Yale Lary (2nd team) The 1957 season was the Detroit Lions' 28th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 24th as the Detroit Lions, and their first under head coach George Wilson. Despite dropping one more game than the previous season, the Lions tied the San Francisco 49ers for first place in the NFL Western Conference. In the tiebreaker game, the Lions defeated the 49ers 31–27 to advance to their fourth championship appearance of the decade. Playing as underdogs, the Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns 59–14 to win their fourth NFL championship. As of the 2025 season, this is the last time the Lions have appeared in an NFL title game, the second-longest drought in the NFL and fourth-longest in the four major sports. In the penultimate regular season game with the Cleveland Browns on December 8, Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne was lost for the season with a broken right ankle. With backup Tobin Rote in at quarterback in the second quarter,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a8VRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8GoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6964%2C1289531 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press Lions lose Layne but win, 20-7 December 9, 1957 26 the Lions won that game and overcame a ten-point deficit at halftime the following week to defeat the Chicago Bears 21–13, whom they had lost to three weeks earlier at home.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ccVRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8GoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5233%2C2620395 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press Lions uphill fight whips Bears, 21-13 December 16, 1957 31 They ended the regular season with three consecutive wins and an 8–4 record. All four losses were within the Western Conference, splitting the two games with all but the Green Bay Packers, whom they swept. Schedule Regular season 1957 NFL season According to the team, a total of 39,844 season tickets were sold by the Lions for the 1957 campaign.Edward M. "Bud" Erickson (ed.), Detroit Lions Facts Book 1963: Press, Radio, TV. Detroit, MI: Detroit Football Company, 1963, p. 4. The Lions played their home games in Briggs Stadium (Tiger Stadium), which had a regular listed seating capacity of 46,194, with an additional 7,000 bleacher seats for football to bring total capacity to 53,194. Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Sources 1 September 29 at Baltimore Colts L 14–34 0–1 Memorial Stadium 40,112 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195709290clt.htm Detroit Lions at Baltimore Colts - September 29th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 2 October 6 at Green Bay Packers W 24–14 1–1 New City Stadium 32,132 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195710060gnb.htm Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers - October 6th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 3 October 13 Los Angeles Rams W 10–7 2–1 Briggs Stadium 55,764 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195710130det.htm Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions - October 13th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 4 October 20 Baltimore Colts W 31–27 3–1 Briggs Stadium 55,764 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195710200det.htm Baltimore Colts at Detroit Lions - October 20th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 5 October 27 at Los Angeles Rams L 17–35 3–2 L.A. Memorial Coliseum 77,314 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195710270ram.htm Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams - October 27th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 6 November 3 at San Francisco 49ers L 31–35 3–3 Kezar Stadium 59,702 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195711030sfo.htm Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers - November 3rd, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 7 November 10 at Philadelphia Eagles W 27–16 4–3 Connie Mack Stadium 29,320 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195711100phi.htm Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles - November 10th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 8 November 17 San Francisco 49ers W 31–10 5–3 Briggs Stadium 56,915 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195711170det.htm San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions - November 17th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 9 November 24 Chicago Bears L 7–27 5–4 Briggs Stadium 55,769 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195711240det.htm Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions - November 24th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 10 November 28 Green Bay Packers W 18–6 6–4 Briggs Stadium 54,301 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195711280det.htm Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions - November 28th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 11 December 8 Cleveland Browns W 20–7 7–4 Briggs Stadium 55,814 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195712080det.htm Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions - December 8th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 12 December 15 at Chicago Bears W 21–13 8–4 Wrigley Field 41,088 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195712150chi.htm Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears - December 15th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text. Thursday (November 28: Thanksgiving)https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sgRRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9yUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7080%2C5118881 Milwaukee Journal Johnson Chuck Lion mudders beat Green Bay in rain November 29, 1957 13, part 2 Playoffs 1957 NFL playoffs Game Date Opponent Result Venue Attendance Sources Conference December 22 at San Francisco 49ers W 31–27 Kezar Stadium 60,118 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195712220sfo.htm Divisional Round - Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers - December 22nd, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 Championship December 29 Cleveland Browns W 59–14 Briggs Stadium 55,263 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195712290det.htm Championship - Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions - December 29th, 1957 Pro Football Reference September 7, 2025 Standings Roster Detroit Lions 1957 roster Quarterbacks 22 Bobby Layne K 18 Tobin Rote Running backs 40 Howard Cassady 26 Gene Gedman 82 Leon Hart 35 John Henry Johnson 30 Tom Tracy Receivers 87 Dorne Dibble 83 Jim Doran 88 Steve Junker 84 Dave Middleton 80 Jerry Reichow Offensive linemen 50 Charlie Ane T/C 67 Stan Campbell G 76 Lou Creekmur T 52 Frank Gatski C 75 John Gordy G 73 Ken Russell T 66 Harley Sewell G Defensive linemen 68 Gene Cronin DE 70 Ray Krouse DT 72 Gil Mains DE/DT 78 Darris McCord DE 74 Bob Miller DT 79 Gerry Perry DE/DT Linebackers 86 Bob Long OLB 47 Jim Martin OLB/MLB/K 56 Joe Schmidt MLB 57 Roger Zatkoff OLB Defensive backs 41 Terry Barr CB 24 Jack Christiansen S 25 James David CB 21 Carl Karilivacz CB 28 Yale Lary S/P 43 Gary Lowe S Reserve lists 85 Sonny Gandee LB (IR) 7px -- Dick Marazza T (IR) 7px -- Tom Rychlec WR (Military) rookies in italics Season summary At the "Meet the Lions" banquet on Monday, August 12, seventh-year head coach Buddy Parker surprised the audience by abruptly announcing his resignation;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fn1IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4WsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7104%2C1722363 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press Buddy Parker quits as Detroit grid coach August 13, 1957 16https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L581AAAAIBAJ&sjid=4qsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1046%2C3530753 Owosso Argus-Press Michigan Associated Press Diles Dave Dave Diles Parker quits Lions August 13, 1957 11 longtime assistant coach George Wilson was promoted the following day.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1kEqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_k0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7486%2C3832231 Pittsburgh Press United Press George Wilson to coach Lions August 13, 1957 30https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=f31IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4WsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4635%2C1908697 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press Aide succeeds Buddy Parker August 14, 1957 22 Two weeks later, Parker became the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=i31IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4WsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5762%2C3857142 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sell Jack Parker new coach of Steelers August 28, 1957 1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8mFhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_JUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7099%2C4253946 Pittsburgh Press Livingston Pat Parker takes over Steeler reins August 28, 1957 48 Pre-season Week 1: at Baltimore Detroit 7 0 0 7 Baltimore 7 17 10 0 September 29 Memorial Stadium, Baltimore 40,112 The Lions opened the regular season on the road with a 34–14 loss to the Baltimore Colts on September 29. Quarterback Johnny Unitas threw four touchdown passes while the Baltimore defense held the Lions to 23 rushing yards and intercepted Bobby Layne three times. Detroit's touchdowns were scored by Howard Cassady (a short run for his first NFL touchdown) and Jerry Reichow on a 32-yard pass from backup quarterback Tobin Rote.Colts Kick Lions in the Teeth, 34-14 Detroit Free Press Bob Latshaw September 29, 1957 37, 41 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4635423/colts_kick_lions_in_the_teeth/ Newspapers.com Week 2: at Green Bay Packers collapsed October 6 Lions 14 3 0 7 Packers 0 0 0 14 New City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin Pro-Football-Reference.com First Quarter Lions – Tobin Rote 2-yard run (Bobby Layne kick) – Lions 7–0 Lions – Jack Christiansen 27-yard interception return (Bobby Layne kick) – Lions 14–0 Second Quarter Lions – Bobby Layne 15-yard field goal – Lions 17–0 Fourth Quarter Lions – Gene Gedman 1-yard run (Bobby Layne kick) – Lions 24–0 Packers – Bart Starr 1-yard run (Fred Cone kick) – Lions 24–7 Packers – Fred Cone 26-yard run (Fred Cone kick) – Lions 24–14 Lions John Henry Johnson 18 Rush, 109 Yds Week 3: Los Angeles Rams Rams 0 7 0 0 Lions 0 10 0 0 October 13 Briggs Stadium, Detroit 55,764 yes Q2 LA Arnett 12 yard pass from Van Brocklin (Cothren kick) LA 7–0 Q2 DET Reichow 16 yard pass from Rote (Layne kick) Tie 7–7 Q2 DET Layne 25 yard field goal DET 10–7 yes Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-Jan-05. Week 4: Baltimore Colts Colts 7 14 6 0 Lions 0 3 7 21 October 20 Briggs Stadium, Detroit 55,764 yes Q1 BAL Mutscheller 15 yard pass from Unitas (Rechichar kick) BAL 7–0 Q2 DET Martin 47 yard field goal BAL 7–3 Q2 BAL Moore 72 yard pass from Unitas (Rechichar kick) BAL 14–3 Q2 BAL Mutscheller 66 yard pass from Unitas (Rechichar kick) BAL 21–3 Q3 BAL Moore 4 yard pass from Unitas (kick failed) BAL 27–3 Q3 DET Junker 14 yard pass from Rote (Layne kick) BAL 27–10 Q4 DET Cassady 26 yard pass from Layne (Layne kick) BAL 27–17 Q4 DET Johnson 1 yard run (Layne kick) BAL 27–24 Q4 DET Cassady 29 yard pass from Layne (Layne kick) DET 31–27 yes Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-Jan-05. Playoffs vs. San Francisco 1957 NFL playoffs Detroit 0 7 14 10 San Francisco 14 10 3 0 December 22 Kezar Stadium, San Francisco 60,118 On December 22, the Lions defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 31–27, in a Western Conference playoff game. The two teams had finished the regular season tied in the standings at 8–4, which called for a tiebreaker game. The 49ers took a 24–7 lead at halftime, as Y. A. Tittle threw three touchdown passes in the first half. A field goal early in the third quarter extended the lead to 27–7, then the Lions responded with 24 unanswered points. Detroit's touchdowns were scored by Steve Junker on a four-yard pass from Tobin Rote, two runs by Tom Tracy (1-yard and 58-yard runs), and Gene Gedman on a two-yard run.The Lions' 1957 Fight Song: 'Oh, We Won Because We Won --' Detroit Free Press Lyall Smith December 23, 1957 33 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4635586/the_lions_1957_fight_song/ Newspapers.com NFL Championship Game Cleveland 0 7 7 0 Detroit 17 14 14 14 December 29 Briggs Stadium, Detroit 55,263 1957 NFL Championship Game On December 29, the Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns 59–14 in the NFL championship game. The Browns had been favored to win by three points. Tobin Rote, filling in at quarterback after Bobby Layne broke his ankle on December 8, was credited with "a brilliant performance" as he completed 12 of 19 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown, leading the Lions to their greatest point total in history. The Lions capitalized on five interceptions and two fumble recoveries, including a 19-yard interception return for touchdown by Terry Barr, and held Cleveland star rookie Jim Brown to 69 rushing yards on 20 carries. The longest play of the game was a 78-yard touchdown pass from Rote to Jim Doran. Rookie Steve Junker was the Lions' leading scorer with 12 points on touchdown receptions covering 26 and 23 yards. Jim Martin followed with 11 points on eight extra-point conversions and a 31-yard field goal.Cleveland Browns 14 at Detroit Lions 59 Sports Reference LLC Pro-Football-Reference.com March 15, 2016 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195712290det.htm The victory gave the Lions their third NFL championship in six years. It was also referred to as "the perfect revenge" for the Browns' 56–10 rout of the Lions in the title game in 1954.Lions Win, 59–14! 55,263 See Browns Humbled; It 's y Third Title in Six Years Detroit Free Press Bob Latshaw December 30, 1957 1–2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4638680/lions_win_5914/ References 2 Detroit Lions on Pro Football Reference Detroit Lions on jt-sw.com Detroit Lions Category:Detroit Lions seasons Category:NFL championship seasons Detroit Lions Category:1957 in Detroit