The 1956 Cleveland Browns season was the team's eleventh season, and seventh season with the National Football League. This was the first season in which the Browns missed the playoffs, and its first season with a losing record. The Browns lost seven games in 1956, after having lost a total of only 17 over the previous ten seasons combined.

Exhibition schedule

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Season recap

Week 1 at Chicago

The post Otto Graham era begins with a 9-7 loss to the Cardinals in Chicago. Cleveland's only score comes on a 46-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman to Ray Renfro in the first quarter. But Pat Summerall's third field goal, a nine-yarder with 29 seconds remaining, won it for the Cardinals and broke a twelve-game losing streak to the Browns. The Cardinals later won the season finale.

Standings