 Cleveland finished 9–2–1 and again advanced to the championship game against Detroit.The Lions dominated the game, forcing six turnovers and allowing only 112 yards passing in a 59–14 rout.Before the 1958 season, O'Connell, who lacked the stature and durability Paul Brown wanted in a starter, retired to take a coaching job in Illinois, and Milt Plum was named as his replacement.