The 1958 National Football League season resulted in a tie for the Eastern Conference championship between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants, both at 9–3, requiring a one-game playoff. The Giants swept both games during the regular season, including a 13–10 win on December 14 at Yankee Stadium. Injured kicker Pat Summerall made a 49-yard field goal late in the game in a snowstorm to break the tie and force the playoff.[1][2][3]

1958 NFL playoffs
DatesDecember 21-28, 1958
Season1958
Teams3
Games played2
NFL Championship Game site
Defending championsDetroit Lions
(did not qualify)
ChampionsBaltimore Colts
Runners-upNew York Giants
Conference
runners-up

This conference championship game was played on December 21 at Yankee Stadium; the winner then hosted the idle Baltimore Colts (9–3), champions of the Western Conference, in the NFL Championship Game on December 28.

Tournament bracket

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Eastern Conference playoff
December 21
NFL Championship
December 28
W Baltimore 23*
E Cleveland 0 E New York 17
E New York 10
  • * Overtime period
Both games were at Yankee Stadium in New York City

Eastern Conference championship

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Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 0 000
Giants 7 3 0010

at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York

  • Date: December 21, 1958
  • Game attendance: 61,274
Game information
Scoring

First Quarter

Second Quarter

  • NY – field goal Summerall 26, NY 10–0

Third Quarter

  • no scoring

Fourth Quarter

  • no scoring

Both teams turned the ball over four times, with three Browns interceptions (one from Jim Ninowski and two from Milt Plum) and a fumble matching the Giants throwing two of their own from Don Heinrich to go with two lost fumbles. The Giants outgained Cleveland 317 to 86 in total yards. [4]

NFL Championship game

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References

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  1. ^ "Giants force playoff, jolt Browns, 13–10". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. December 15, 1958. p. 26.
  2. ^ "Summerall believes kick sailed 59-yards". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. December 15, 1958. p. 26.
  3. ^ Schell, Bill (December 15, 1958). "Summerall's kick gives Giants 13–10 win, forces playoff with Browns". Youngstown Vindicator. (Ohio). p. 14.
  4. ^ "Divisional Round - Cleveland Browns at New York Giants - December 21st, 1958". Pro-Football-Reference.com.