Billed as the "1954 World Professional Football Championship Game," the turnover-plagued contest was won by the Cleveland Browns, who defeated the Detroit Lions 56–10.

[1] The Browns, who entered the league only in 1950 with the demise of the All-America Football Conference, faced a particularly daunting task in taking on the Lions, having lost all eight of the franchise's previous matches against the Detroit club.

[2] The Lions were led by quarterback Bobby Layne, running back Doak Walker, and head coach Buddy Parker.

First quarter On its first possession, Lions' fullback Bill Bowman ran for 50 yards but lost the ball to Cleveland on a fumble.

Cleveland was forced to punt but a roughing penalty gave the Browns new life and Graham hit Ray Renfro with a 35-yard pass for a touchdown.

[2] Yet another Bobby Layne pass was intercepted by Cleveland's Michaels, who was listed as a substitute fullback and was thus probably playing the modern equivalent of the safety position.

[2] Third quarter The Browns opened the second half with a six play drive, highlighted by a 43-yard strike from Otto Graham to Pete Brewster, who was stopped just short of the goal line.

[2] Fourth quarter Yet another pick by Konz set up the final touchdown of the day, when substitute halfback Chet Hanulak scored from the 10.

Detroit quarterback Layne (18 for 42, passing for 177 yards) was intercepted six times, with Len Ford and Kenny Konz pulling in two each.

The 56–10 score was the second most lopsided in the 22-year history of the event, exceeded only by the 1940 game, in which the Chicago Bears embarrassed the Washington Redskins 73–0.