The NFL is renowned for its thrilling, high-scoring games, packed with dramatic plays, stunning touchdowns, and incredible displays of athleticism. However, not every game in the league’s history has been a high-scoring affair. Some games have been defined by defensive battles, turnovers, and missed opportunities, resulting in some of the lowest-scoring contests in the sport’s history.
Here, we look into the five lowest-scoring games in NFL history, where offense seemed almost irrelevant and defense reigned supreme.
5. Minnesota Vikings vs. Las Vegas Raiders (3-0, 2023)
This low-scoring affair between the Vikings and Raiders in Week 14 was a defensive masterclass. The Vikings managed just enough offense to set up Greg Joseph for a 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, giving Minnesota a narrow victory. Neither team scored a touchdown, and both struggled to sustain drives throughout the game.
It was their first shutout loss for the Raiders in over a year. The Vikings, meanwhile, celebrated a rare defensive feat in the modern NFL, where low-scoring games are increasingly uncommon.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0, 1979)
Fans remember the “Monsoon Game” for its slippery conditions and endless fumbles, played in the midst of a torrential downpour. Both teams struggled to maintain possession, with seven total fumbles and five turnovers characterizing the game. Tampa Bay’s Neil O’Donoghue kicked a 19-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to secure the Buccaneers’ first division championship.
The Chiefs had opportunities to score, including a blocked field goal in the second quarter, but their offensive struggles persisted throughout the game. The heavy rain subsided by the fourth quarter, but the damage was done, and this game remains one of the most weather-affected in NFL history.
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3. New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (3-0, 1982)
The Patriots and Dolphins played the iconic “Snowplow Game” in blizzard-like conditions at Schaefer Stadium. Snow blanketed the field, making every play a struggle. The game’s decisive moment came when Patriots head coach Ron Meyer controversially called for a snowplow to clear a spot for kicker John Smith. Smith’s 33-yard field goal proved to be the game’s only score.
The Dolphins protested the use of the snowplow, and head coach Don Shula voiced his frustration to NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. While the commissioner acknowledged the unfair advantage, the result stood, making the Snowplow Game one of the strangest and most unforgettable low-scoring battles in NFL history.
2. New York Jets vs. Washington Redskins (3-0, 1993)
This December game at RFK Stadium was a showcase of offensive futility despite the Jets’ statistical dominance. New York secured the win thanks to a first-quarter field goal, which turned out to be the game’s only point. Despite controlling possession and outgaining the Redskins, the Jets repeatedly fell short of the endzone.
Washington, on the other hand, put up one of their worst offensive performances in franchise history. With only 150 yards of total offense and a meager 39 rushing yards, the Redskins were completely stifled. For Jets fans, the victory kept their playoff hopes alive, while Washington endured a historically poor season.
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1. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins (3-0, 2007)
Dubbed the “Mud Bowl,” this Monday night game was a battle of attrition played under abysmal weather conditions at Heinz Field. Torrential rain had turned the field into a swamp, and neither team could muster much offensively. For nearly the entire game, the score remained tied at zero, with both teams combining for less than 400 total yards.
The deadlock was finally broken with just 17 seconds left in regulation when Steelers kicker Jeff Reed nailed a 24-yard field goal to secure a narrow 3-0 victory. The Dolphins, plagued by mistakes and unable to cross the red zone, managed just 195 yards of offense. It was a forgettable night for fans but a memorable game in the NFL’s history books.
Honorable Mention: Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears (6-3, 2024)
The Seahawks and Bears played out a gritty Week 17 matchup on Thursday Night Football, marking the lowest-scoring game of the 2024 season. The Seahawks managed two field goals in the first half, while the Bears added a solitary field goal in the second quarter. Neither team scored in the second half, highlighting the defensive dominance on both sides.
This game’s total of nine points was a touchdown less than the previous low for the season, and the Seahawks’ six points were the fewest by a winning team in 2024. It’s not one of the lowest-scoring games ever, but it’s a good reminder that even in today’s offense-driven NFL, there’s still room for a hard-fought defensive battle.
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