Five Lowest Scoring NFL Games of All Time
Jeff Pegues
The National Football League (NFL) is known for its high-scoring games, but there have been a few occasions when the scoring has been very low. Here are the five lowest-scoring NFL games of all time:
- Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Miami Dolphins 0 (November 26, 2007)
- Chicago Bears 7, Washington Redskins 0 (December 8, 1940)
- Detroit Lions 3, Chicago Bears 0 (November 23, 1941)
- New York Giants 2, Philadelphia Eagles 0 (December 28, 1943)
- New York Giants 2, Washington Redskins 0 (November 24, 1951)
The 3-0 score between the Steelers and Dolphins in 2007 is the lowest-scoring game in NFL history since the Bears defeated the Redskins 7-0 in 1940. It was also the first time since 1941 that a team had won an NFL game by a score of 3-0.
The other four games on this list were all played in the 1940s, and they all featured strong defensive performances. The Giants and Eagles game in 1943 was particularly memorable, as both teams were playing for the NFL championship. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, and the Giants won the championship in a playoff game the following week.
Low-scoring games are not as common as high-scoring games in the NFL, but they do happen from time to time. There are a number of factors that can contribute to low-scoring games, including bad weather conditions, good defense, injuries, and poor play-calling. However, even when the scoring is low, there can still be plenty of excitement in an NFL game.
Why Do Low-Scoring Games Happen?
There are a number of reasons why low-scoring games happen in the NFL. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Bad weather conditions. Rain, wind, and snow can all make it difficult for teams to move the ball.
- Good defense. When both teams are playing well defensively, it can be difficult for either team to score points.
- Injuries. If a team loses key players on offense or defense, it can be difficult for them to score points.
- Poor play-calling. If a team makes a lot of mistakes, it can give the other team easy scoring opportunities.
Conclusion
Low-scoring games are not as common as high-scoring games in the NFL, but they do happen from time to time. There are a number of factors that can contribute to low-scoring games, including bad weather conditions, good defense, injuries, and poor play-calling. However, even when the scoring is low, there can still be plenty of excitement in an NFL game.
Other Notable Low-Scoring Games
In addition to the games listed above, here are some other notable low-scoring games in NFL history:
- Kansas City Chiefs 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3 (December 24, 1979)
- New York Jets 3, Miami Dolphins 0 (December 9, 2001)
- Jacksonville Jaguars 9, Baltimore Ravens 6 (November 19, 2016)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9, Detroit Lions 3 (December 24, 2021)
These games are all examples of how low-scoring games can still be exciting and memorable. They are a testament to the importance of defense in the NFL, and they show that even when the offense is struggling, there is still plenty of excitement to be found.
