4. Browns 30, Rams 27, Sept. 28, 1958 at Los Angeles
Lou Groza’s 9-yard field goal with 23 seconds to go gave the Browns the season-opening win. Runs by Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Milt Plum moved Cleveland from its 30 into position for Groza. Goal posts were then stationed at the goal line, thus the short distance for Groza’s kick.
Brown keyed the offense with 171 yards on 24 carries. His 38-yard touchdown run cut a Rams lead to 17-14 in the third quarter, and he scored from five yards for a 27-27 tie in the fourth quarter. That score followed a fumble recovery by Browns’ defensive back Junior Wren and his run with it for 34 yards to the Los Angeles 7.
The Browns got their lone first half touchdown on Plum’s 4-yard pass to rookie running back and future Hall of Famer Mitchell. Plum later connected with Ray Renfro for a 21-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass that pulled the Browns to within 27-20.
Plum was 13-of-25 for 141 yards. Wide receiver Preston Carpenter had four catches for 43 yards and tight end/wideout Pete Brewster gained 49 yards on three receptions.
The Browns were outgained, 470 yards to 373, but recovered four L.A. fumbles.
Cleveland and the New York Giants tied for first in the East Division standings with 9-3 records, necessitating a playoff game at Yankee Stadium, won by the Giants, 10-0. New York then lost the famed championship game to the Baltimore Colts, 23-17 in overtime.
Los Angeles finished second in the West at 8-4.
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