A list of the 10 lowest scoring NFL games in history of the league

The NFL is one of the most exciting leagues in the world, with great athletes. However, there have been matches that have ended in low scores, maybe due to the intensity of the match or other factors. Read on to find out some of the lowest-scoring NFL games in the league's history.

The NFL matches are usually high-scoring games, leaving fans at the edge of their seats. However, some games have been low scoring, with others ending scoreless. This may reflect on the great quality of athletes and the competitive nature of the teams. But sometimes, the teams are just bad. Here are some of the lowest-scoring NFL games ever.

The 10 lowest-scoring NFL games

The NFL is a high-scoring league most times, but sometimes the teams show their elite defensive tactics, curbing their opponents from scoring. Here are the top 10 lowest-scoring NFL games:

10. Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers(7-3)

The assumption was that the Packers would have comfortably won the match with the over/under set at 46. The match was a huge disappointment as none of the teams managed 300 yards in total offence. The only touchdown was scored by the Lions by Will Heller from a 13-yard pass from Drew Stanton.

But it got worse when Aaron Rodgers' first-half concussion deprived him of the chance to play the second half, hence the Packers' little offence. The match took place in 2010.

9. Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos(7-3)

The bout was expected to be a low scoring one, but it exceeded expectations, going way below the 37.5 over/under set. The Broncos were definitely the favourites, but it turned on them. Dexter McCluster scored a 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter, the only one for the game.

The Broncos had only a third-quarter field goal, with their quarterback Tim Tebow going 6 for 22 in 60 yards. All his 16-yard runs which he made 6 times were fumbled leading to a disappointing game for the star player. The 2012 match was one of the lowest-scoring ever.

8. Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles(6-3)

The match had a dramatic end when Packers’ kicker Ryan Longwell hit a 38-yard winner in the last seconds of the game. The Packers were favourites for the match with a 42.5 over/under. The part of the game that stood out was the elite defence that both teams put out, hence the low scores.

Both teams had about five sacks, with the yards having only 171 yards of offence. The 2000 game disappointed a lot of oddsmakers.

7. Atlanta Falcons vs Arizona Cardinals(6-3)

The Falcons held the Cardinals to under 250 yards of offence, winning the game by two field goals in the first half. They were favourites, though the total score disappointed oddsmakers who had set the score at 44 over/under. The match took place in 2004.

6. Cleveland Browns vs Buffalo Bills(6-3)

The 2009 match saw the Browns win after a field goal in the first half and another with just seconds remaining. The Bills also had a field goal in the third, but that was not enough to guarantee them a win. The Bills were the better offensive side with 288 yards compared to the Browns’ 193 yards. The over/under was set at 42 with the Bills as favourites with 5.5 points.

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5. Cleveland Browns vs Seattle Seahawks(6-3)

In 2011, the Browns were clear favourites, which is the only thing that the oddsmakers got right. They were way out of touch with the over/under, which they set at 41 points. The Seahawks’ total offence was 137 yards, which was reduced to 68 due to the eight penalties conceded in the game.

4. New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers(6-0)

The game happened in 2003 with the Jets projected to be favourites with a 36 over/under. However, this was not the case as the Jets won by two first-half field goals. Both teams did not manage to get a total yard offence above 300.

3. Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles(6-0)

It is important to note that the Eagles team that took place in the game were the first-ever team to win the Super Bowl, but the Dallas were clear favourites in this closely contested rivalry match. The game over/under was set at 41 disappointing oddsmakers as there were no field goals in the game.

Dallas had two touchdowns from Dak Prescott and Brice Butler in the fourth quarter. The Eagles were so horrendous that they did not have any attempted field goals, only crossing the 50-yard line once. The match was played in 2017.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts(6-0)

Andrew Luck, the Colts’ star quarterback, 33 for 52 and 248 yards did not come in handy for the team as they had a measly 41 rushing yards. The Colts were favourites with 45.5 over/under but disappointed the 67,030 attendees. It is reported that the game was so bad that most of them slept right through it at the TIAA Bank Stadium. The game was played in 2018.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers vs Miami Dolphins(3-0)

So, what’s the lowest-scoring NFL game? The 2007 bout saw one of the biggest upsets in the Dolphins’ history, with a loss by a last-minute field goal by the Steelers. The Dolphins were in their worst form and surprised many by fighting for the win, as the Steelers were 16-point favourites with a 38.5 over/under. The Dolphins had only 195 yards of offence. This is the lowest-scoring NFL game ever.

The lowest-scoring NFL game in 2022

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers versus the Tennessee Titans is the lowest-scoring NFL game of 2022. The game ended with the Titans edging the Buccaneers 13-3 after scoring two field goals and one touchdown. The Buccaneers had only one field goal. The Titans scored all their goals in the second quarter, with the Buccaneers scoring in the third quarter.

The lowest-scoring football game of all time

The lowest-scoring game of all time was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Miami Dolphins in 2007. The game ended in a 3-nil win for the Steelers due to a last-minute field goal.

Has there ever been a non-scoring NFL game?

Yes, there have been a total of 73 matches in the NFL that ended 0-0. It is important to note that most of these games happened in the pre-Super Bowl era. The last match to end in such fashion was on November 7th 1943 in a match between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants.

Has any NFL team lost by 73 points?

Yes, the Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins 73-0 in the NFL Championship to cement the largest defeat margin in the league’s history. The Redskins later changed their name to the Washington Football Team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins inspired one of the lowest-scoring NFL games. Despite this, there have been a record 73 scoreless matches in NFL history, with the last one dating to 1943. This does not take away from the athletic ability of the incredible athletes.

Sportsbrief.com also published a list of the biggest upsets in sports history. In most sports in the world, there is always a favourite ready to win a match. But that is not always the case. Click the link above to unravel the biggest upsets that had fans at the edge of their seats!