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1957 Chicago Cardinals season

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1957 Chicago Cardinals season
OwnerViolet Bidwill Wolfner
Head coachRay Richards
Home fieldComiskey Park
Results
Record3–9
Division place6th NFL Eastern
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1957 Chicago Cardinals season marked the team's 38th year in the National Football League (NFL). The Cardinals failed to improve on their previous year's record of 7–5, winning only three games.[1] They thus failed to qualify for the playoffs (NFL title game) for the ninth consecutive season.

Season summary

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After starting the season with an impressive 20–10 road win against the San Francisco 49ers, the 1957 Chicago Cardinals went into a funk, dropping 8 of the next 9 games, steadily sinking into irrelevancy. The team finished the year with a record of 3 wins and 9 losses — tied with the Green Bay Packers for the worst record in the 12-team league.[2] The team gained a total of 3,217 yards in the 1957 campaign, again the second worst in the NFL.[2] The team was slightly pass-driven for the era, gaining 1,775 yards in the air to just 1,442 on the ground, both of which marks were under the league average.[2]

Defensively, the team allowed 4,108 yards in 1957, marred by the second-lowest rate of interception in the league and a net of -1 fumble recoveries.[2]

The team's biggest star was powerful running back Ollie Matson, a future NFL Hall-of-Famer. Matson finished the 1957 season with 577 yards gained, sixth best in the league, with his season's best a 56-yard touchdown gallop.[3] The passing offense was driven by quarterback Lamar McHan, who ended the season the league's 5th ranked QB, with 1,568 yards gained and 10 touchdown passes.[4] His top target was end Gern Nagler, who grabbed 27 balls for 398 yards and 4 touchdowns — including one catch for 83 yards.[5]

The team drew comparatively poorly, with only 2 of 6 home games topping the 20,000 mark at the gate. After just two more years they would abandon Chicago for a new city, becoming the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960.

Schedule

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Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources
1 September 29 at San Francisco 49ers W 20–10 1–0 Kezar Stadium 35,743 Recap [6][7][8]
2 October 6 Washington Redskins L 14–37 1–1 Comiskey Park 18,278 Recap [9][10]
3 October 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–29 1–2 Forbes Field 29,446 Recap [11][12]
4 October 20 at Washington Redskins W 44–14 2–2 Griffith Stadium 23,159 Recap [13][14]
5 October 27 Cleveland Browns L 7–17 2–3 Comiskey Park 26,341 Recap [15][16]
6 November 3 Philadelphia Eagles L 21–38 2–4 Comiskey Park 18,718 Recap [17]
7 November 10 at New York Giants L 14–27 2–5 Yankee Stadium 46,402 Recap
8 November 24 New York Giants L 21–28 2–6 Comiskey Park 19,200 Recap
9 December 1 at Cleveland Browns L 0–31 2–7 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 40,525 Recap
10 December 8 Chicago Bears L 6–14 2–8 Comiskey Park 43,735 Recap
11 December 14 at Philadelphia Eagles W 31–27 3–8 Connie Mack Stadium 12,555 Recap
12 December 22 Pittsburgh Steelers L 2–27 3–9 Comiskey Park 10,084 Recap
Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Summaries

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Game 1: at San Francisco 49ers

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After having dropped 5 of 6 preseason contests, the Chicago Cardinals came out swinging, pulling off a surprising non-conference upset win on the road against the San Francisco 49ers. A conservative bend-but-don't-break style defense was used by the Cardinals, who chose to gave up yardage on the ground in order to be "protected against the 'home run' type of play the Bay Area club used to compile a 5–1 exhibition record.[6]

Game 2: Washington Redskins

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The magical start to the 1957 season came to a screeching halt with an embarrassing second half collapse against the Washington Redskins at Comisky Park. The Redskins piled up nearly 250 yards on the ground and scored 24 unanswered points after halftime in their decisive win, with quarterback Eddie LeBaron and his mates adding 180 yards in the air against the shell-shocked Chicago defense.[10]

Game 3: at Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]

An unexpectedly large crown of 29,446 turned up to see the visiting Cardinals lose once again to Rooney U. in Pittsburgh — a tale of woe dating to their last victory in the Steel City in 1948.[11] The game turned in the second quarter when the Cards attempted a 54-yard field goal off the toe of Pat Summerall, only to have it blocked by Pittsburgh middle guard Dale Dodrill and run back for a score by defensive end Huck O'Neil.[11] Cardinal star Ollie Matson had a bad day at the office, gaining just 12 yards on 9 rushing attempts.[11]

Game 4: at Washington Redskins

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The Cardinals moved to a record of 2–2 with a victory over the Washington Redskins at Griffith Field. Card quarterback Lamar McHan was the star, passing for three touchdowns and running for another as Chicago took a 31–7 lead to halftime in a game that was never close.[13] Powerful back Ollie Matson added 155 yards on the ground on just 13 carries — one of his two touchdown runs being a 56-yarder.[14] The visiting Cardinals neatly avenged their second half collapse leading to a Week 2 drubbing by Eddie LaBaron and the Skins.

Game 5: Cleveland Browns

[edit]

In a dull game pairing ineffectual running attacks, Paul Brown and the Cleveland Browns overcame a 7–3 halftime deficit to beat Chicago. With the Cards down 10–7 in the fourth quarter and seemingly on the way to paydirt, a 15-yard holding penalty stalled their drive.[15] Rookie quarterback Ted Marchibroda debuted for the Cards in the 4th but his first pass was a pick just outside his own red zone.[15] While Chicago dodged that bullet, the Browns later drove the ball down the field and scored hen reserve QB Tommy O'Connell hit split end Preston Carpenter on a 14-yard crossing route for the final 17–7 margin.[15]

Game 6: Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

As the 1957 season reached its midway point, the Cardinals' hopes began to wilt with a crushing 38–21 loss to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Lamar McHan and halfback Ollie Matson had a productive day for Chicago, combining for 281 passing yards, with Matson scoring two touchdowns on the ground. However, a 6-to-3 turnover deficit proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for the Cards, who fell to 2–4 on the season. Five of the combined eight touchdowns scored as well as an Eagles field goal were set up by turnovers.[17]

Standings

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NFL Eastern Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Cleveland Browns 9 2 1 .818 8–1–1 269 172 W1
New York Giants 7 5 0 .583 6–4 254 211 L3
Pittsburgh Steelers 6 6 0 .500 5–5 161 178 W1
Washington Redskins 5 6 1 .455 4–5–1 251 230 W3
Philadelphia Eagles 4 8 0 .333 4–6 173 230 L2
Chicago Cardinals 3 9 0 .250 2–8 200 299 L1
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
NFL Western Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Detroit Lions 8 4 0 .667 6–4 251 231 W3
San Francisco 49ers 8 4 0 .667 7–3 260 264 W3
Baltimore Colts 7 5 0 .583 6–4 303 235 L2
Los Angeles Rams 6 6 0 .500 5–5 307 278 W2
Chicago Bears 5 7 0 .417 4–6 203 211 L1
Green Bay Packers 3 9 0 .250 2–8 218 311 L3
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Roster

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Official team photo of the 1957 Chicago Cardinals.
Notes: 1. Some players played multiple positions. 2. †-Denotes member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
Sources: Bob Carroll, et al., Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. New York: HarperCollins, 1999; p. 1571 and Pro Football Reference.

References

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  1. ^ 1957 Chicago Cardinals
  2. ^ a b c d Joseph T. Labrum (ed.), The National Football League Record and Rules Manual: 1958, 39th Season. PA: Bala-Cynwyrd, PA: National Football League, 1958; pp. 31–33.
  3. ^ Labrum (ed.), NFL Record and Rules Manual: 1958, p. 37.
  4. ^ Labrum (ed.), NFL Record and Rules Manual: 1958, pp. 40–41.
  5. ^ Labrum (ed.), NFL Record and Rules Manual: 1958, pp. 43.
  6. ^ a b Wally Willis, "'Steamed' Cards Rip 49ers, 20–10: Albert's Digs Rile Visitors," Oakland Tribune, Sept. 30, 1957, pp. 37D,39D.
  7. ^ Bob Brachman, "49ers Whipped by Chi Cards, 20–10: Tittle Stopped; Moegle Scores Lone TD for SF," San Francisco Examiner, Sept. 30, 1957, sect. 2, pp. 5, 8.
  8. ^ George Stricker, "Cards Win: Pass Nets Vital Touchtown; 49ers Ground Under, 20–10: Defensive Line of Stars in Victory," Chicago Tribune, Sept. 30, 1957, pp. 1F, 4F.
  9. ^ George Strickler, "Cards Lose in 2nd Half, 37–14: South Siders An Easy Mark for Redskins," Chicago Tribune, Oct. 7, 1957, pp. 1F, 4F.
  10. ^ a b Associated Press, "Washington Attack Led by Rookies: Bosseler Tallies Once, LeBaron Stars as Passer for Victors," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 7, 1957, p. 15.
  11. ^ a b c d Jack Sell, "Steelers Use Long Runs to Beat Cards, 29–20: Billy Wells Runs 96 Yards for TD," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 14, 1957, pp. 24, 26.
  12. ^ Joe Bradis, "Steelers Defeat Cardinals, 29–20: Wells Runs 96 Yards," Uniontown Morning Herald, Oct. 14, 1957, p. 9.
  13. ^ a b Bob Seeling (UP), "Cards Upset Redskins; Matson, McHan Star," Scranton Tribune, Oct. 21, 1957, p. 12.
  14. ^ a b "Chicago Cards Route Redskins, 44 to 14, as Ollie Matson Stars," Baltimore Sun, Oct. 21, 1957, p. 16.
  15. ^ a b c d "Browns Beat Cards: Fumble and Poor Pass Set Up 17–7 Cleveland Victory," Chicago Tribune, Oct. 28, 1957, sports pp. 1, 4.
  16. ^ Chuck Heaton, "Browns Rally to Beat Cards, 17–7: Score Twice in Second Half," Cleveland Plain Dealer, Oct. 28, 1957, pp. 37-38.
  17. ^ a b George Strickler, "Eagles Do It With Decoys: Four Pass Interceptions and Two Fumbles Help Eagles Defeat Cards, 38–21," Chicago Tribune, Nov. 4, 1957, pp. 1F, 2F.
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