Top 10 Lowest-Scoring NFL Games In History (All Time List) 

July 13, 2025

There have been 73 NFL games in the history of the sport during which zero points were scored. 

All of those scoreless ties occurred during the sport’s early history, as the last one occurred in 1943 when Steve Owen’s Giants and Gus Dorais’ Lions fought to a scoreless tie in a Nov. 7 game in Detroit.

This article explores the lowest-scoring games in NFL history, examining what made these matchups so unforgettable and why they remain statistical anomalies in today’s high-powered league.

10 Lowest-Scoring NFL Games in History

Here are the games that redefined what it means to struggle on offence, ranked by total points scored.

No.DateMatchupScoreTotal PointsLocationNotes
1Dec 10, 2023Vikings vs Raiders3–03Las Vegas, NVPost‑merger, backup QBs, Mullens’ FG drive
2Nov 26, 2007Steelers vs Dolphins3–03Pittsburgh, PAMNF “Mud Bowl”, heavy rain
3Dec 11, 1993Jets vs Redskins3–03Washington, D.C.Poor offence, muddy conditions
4Dec 12, 1982Patriots vs Dolphins3–03Foxboro, MAThe Snowplow game
5Dec 16, 1979Buccaneers vs Chiefs3–03Tampa, FLTampa clinched a playoff berth
6Oct 16, 1977Bills vs Falcons3–03Orchard Park, NYDefensive stalemate; lone field goal
7Nov 14, 1971Vikings vs Packers3–03Bloomington, MNFirst post-merger 3–0 game
8Dec 4, 1938Bears vs Packers2–02Chicago, ILLast-ever safety-only NFL game
9Nov 7, 1943Giants vs Lions0–00Detroit, MILast scoreless tie in NFL history
10Oct 1, 1939Eagles vs Dodgers0–00Philadelphia, PAConfirmed early-era scoreless NFL tie

The data reveals fascinating patterns: 

Seven different 3–0 games have occurred since 1971, one historic 2–0 contest from 1938, and two confirmed scoreless ties from football’s early decades.

Modern low-scoring games typically result from weather conditions or exceptional defensive performances, in contrast to the frequent offensive struggles of football’s formative years.

Top 5 All-Time Lowest Scoring NFL Games: Game-by-Game Breakdown

These five contests represent the absolute floor of NFL scoring, each telling a unique story of defensive dominance.

1. Vikings 3, Raiders 0 — Dec 10, 2023

CategoryDetails
Weather ConditionsDome stadium (Allegiant Stadium) — climate-controlled
Quarterbacks StartedAidan O’Connell (Raiders) vs. Joshua Dobbs (Vikings)
Total Offensive YardsVikings: 231, Raiders: 202
Game TypeRegular Season — Week 14
Key PlayGreg Joseph’s 36-yard FG with 1:57 left
Notable AbsenceNeither team scored a touchdown

The Vikings and Raiders played the lowest-scoring NFL game in 16 years, with Greg Joseph’s 36-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining providing the only points. 

Vikings 3, Raiders 0
Source: YouTube NFL 

When Minnesota lost Justin Jefferson to a chest injury in the second quarter, the offensive struggles intensified, creating a defensive stalemate that lasted nearly four quarters before Joseph’s clutch kick broke the deadlock.

2. Steelers 3, Dolphins 0 — Nov 26, 2007

CategoryDetails
Weather ConditionsHeavy rain, muddy field conditions
Quarterbacks StartedBen Roethlisberger vs. Cleo Lemon
Total Offensive YardsSteelers: 200, Dolphins: 156
Game TypeMonday Night Football
Key PlayJeff Reed’s 24-yard field goal
Notable FactorHeinz Field conditions deteriorated throughout

The infamous “Mud Bowl” saw terrible weather conditions turn Heinz Field into a quagmire. 

Steelers 3, Dolphins 0 — Nov 26, 2007
Source: YouTube

Both teams struggled to maintain footing, leading to multiple fumbles and incomplete passes. 

Jeff Reed’s lone field goal in the third quarter proved sufficient for Pittsburgh’s victory in one of the most weather-affected games in recent memory.

3. Jets 3, Redskins 0 — Dec 11, 1993

CategoryDetails
Weather ConditionsCold, windy conditions in Washington
Quarterbacks StartedBoomer Esiason vs. Mark Rypien
Total Offensive YardsJets: 181, Redskins: 170
Game TypeRegular Season
Key PlayNick Lowery’s 32-yard field goal
Notable FactorBoth teams failed to reach the red zone multiple times

This defensive struggle featured two teams with playoff aspirations but struggling offensive units. 

Jets 3, Redskins 0
Source: New York Jets

The Jets managed just enough offence to set up Nick Lowery’s second-quarter field goal, while Washington’s offence sputtered throughout. 

Neither team advanced beyond the opponent’s 30-yard line more than twice during the entire contest.

4. Patriots 3, Dolphins 0 — Dec 12, 1982

CategoryDetails
Weather ConditionsCold December weather in Foxboro
Quarterbacks StartedSteve Grogan vs. David Woodley
Total Offensive YardsPatriots: 194, Dolphins: 139
Game TypeStrike-shortened season finale
Key PlayJohn Smith’s 33-yard field goal
Notable FactorDivision title implications

During the strike-shortened 1982 season, this AFC East showdown carried significant playoff implications despite the ugly conditions. 

Patriots 3, Dolphins 0
Source: Reddit 

John Smith’s third-quarter field goal proved decisive as both teams’ offences struggled against stout defences. 

The Patriots’ victory helped secure their playoff positioning in a season reduced to nine games per team.

5. Buccaneers 3, Chiefs 0 — Dec 16, 1979

CategoryDetails
Weather ConditionsMild Tampa weather
Quarterbacks StartedDoug Williams vs. Steve Fuller
Total Offensive YardsBuccaneers: 212, Chiefs: 176
Game TypeRegular Season finale
Key PlayNeil O’Donoghue’s 19-yard field goal
Notable FactorTampa’s first playoff berth was clinched

This historic low-scoring affair clinched Tampa Bay’s first-ever playoff berth in franchise history. 

Buccaneers 3, Chiefs 0
Source: YouTube 

Neil O’Donoghue’s short field goal in the fourth quarter capped a methodical drive and sent the young franchise to the postseason. 

The Chiefs’ offence, led by backup quarterback Steve Fuller, never threatened to score against Tampa’s opportunistic defence.

Top 5 Lowest-Scoring NFL Games (Pre-Merger)

These ultra-low-scoring games occurred before the 1970 NFL–AFL merger when the league was still developing its offensive identity. 

Each matchup shows how defence dominated the early days of football.

RankDateMatchupFinal ScoreTotal PointsNotes
1Nov 7, 1943Giants vs Lions0–00Last scoreless tie in NFL history
2Dec 4, 1938Bears vs Packers2–02Only points came from a safety
3Oct 8, 1922Canton Bulldogs vs Dayton Triangles0–00Early NFL defensive struggle
4Oct 22, 1922Packers vs Milwaukee Badgers0–00Another early-era scoreless tie
5Nov 13, 1921, Akron Pros vs Buffalo All-Americans0–00One of the earliest documented ties

These five games represent the NFL’s most defensively dominant matchups from the league’s early years, before the 1970 merger.

With final scores as low as 0–0 and 2–0, they reflect a bygone era when scoring was rare and field conditions, equipment, and rules heavily favoured defence.

The most recent 0–0 tie occurred in 1943 and remains unmatched to this day, highlighting how dramatically the game has evolved.

Fast Facts: Record-Low NFL Scores

Here’s a quick look at the cold, hard numbers behind these legendary low-score games.

RecordDetails
Lowest Score Ever (Pre-Merger)0–0 — Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants, Nov 7, 1943✓ Last scoreless tie in NFL history
Lowest Score in Modern Era3–0 — Occurred 7 times since 1971 (post-merger); last in 2023 (Vikings vs Raiders)
Most Recent Sub-10 Point Game3–0 — Vikings vs. Raiders, Dec 10, 2023
Most Common Low Score3–0, 6–3, 7–3 — Frequent results in low-scoring, defence-dominated games

The last 0–0 tie occurred during World War II in 1943. Since then, several 3–0 games have followed, typically influenced by bad weather or exceptional defensive performances.

Number of Lowest-Scoring Games in NFL History

Since the NFL’s inception in 1920, only 124 games have ended with a combined score of three points or fewer. 

Here’s a breakdown of those rare defensive battles based on historical data.

Total PointsNo. of GamesNotable Example
073 gamesLions vs Giants, 1943
25 gamesBears vs Packers, 1938
346 gamesVikings vs Raiders, 2023

The overwhelming majority of these ultra-low-scoring games occurred in the NFL’s early decades, when offensive strategies were primitive and field conditions often unplayable. 

Modern 3-0 games represent exceptional circumstances rather than typical gameplay. 

The 73 scoreless ties demonstrate how different football was during its formative years, with most occurring between 1920 and 1940.

What Causes Such Low Scores in the NFL?

Several factors can contribute to unusually low-scoring games, from harsh weather to dominant defensive performances.

Extreme Weather (Rain, Snow, Wind)

Severe weather conditions can completely neutralise offensive game plans, making ball handling treacherous and passing nearly impossible. 

Causes Such Low Scores in the NFL
Source: Pinterest

Heavy rain turns fields into mud pits where players struggle to maintain footing, while high winds make accurate throwing and kicking extremely difficult. 

Snow and freezing temperatures add another layer of complexity, numbing players’ hands and making the football feel like a slippery rock.

Elite Defensive Matchups

When two exceptional defensive units meet, offensive coordinators often struggle to find successful strategies, leading to three-and-out drives and field position battles. 

Elite pass rushes can pressure quarterbacks into hurried throws, while dominant secondary play eliminates receiving options downfield. 

Stout-run defences force one-dimensional offensive approaches that become predictable and easily defended.

Poor Offensive Execution or Backup QBs

Injuries to key offensive players, particularly quarterbacks, can severely limit a team’s scoring potential and result in conservative play-calling throughout the game. 

Backup quarterbacks often lack the timing and familiarity with receivers that starting QBs develop over seasons. 

Additionally, offensive line injuries can create protection issues that force quick, low-percentage throws and abandoned running games.

Key Player Injuries

The loss of star players during games can completely alter offensive strategies, forcing teams to rely on unfamiliar personnel and simplified game plans. 

When elite receivers, running backs, or linemen exit with injuries, opposing defences can focus their attention on remaining threats. 

Low Scores in the NFL Due to Key Player Injuries
Source: Pinterest 

This domino effect often leads to predictable offensive patterns that defences can easily anticipate and neutralise.

Field Conditions (Mud, Ice, etc.)

Poor field conditions beyond weather, including damaged turf, inadequate drainage, or maintenance issues, can make normal offensive execution nearly impossible for both teams. 

Muddy fields slow down skill-position players and make cutting movements dangerous, while icy conditions eliminate the traction necessary for precise route running. 

These conditions often favour defensive players who can simply react to offensive movements rather than execute complex schemes.

Why Are Low-Scoring Games So Rare Today?

Modern NFL rules heavily favour offensive production through pass interference penalties, illegal contact restrictions, and quarterback protection measures that have transformed the game. 

Advanced offensive schemes, improved player conditioning, and superior field maintenance create environments where scoring is expected rather than exceptional. 

This makes games like the 2023 Vikings-Raiders contest unusually rare cases in the stats.

Related Read:

Conclusion: The Vikings’ 3–0 win over the Raiders on Dec 10, 2023, is The Most Recent Low Scoring NFL Game!

Low-scoring NFL games offer fascinating glimpses into the sport’s gritty, defensive past, when field position, turnovers, and raw physicality often meant more than explosive plays or flashy touchdowns. 

While today’s rules and offensive systems favour high scores and fast-paced action, these rare defensive battles still capture the hearts of fans who appreciate strategic, hard-fought football. 

The 2023 Vikings-Raiders 3–0 game, like the 2007 Steelers-Dolphins “Mud Bowl,” highlights how unusual such outcomes have become. In a league driven by offence, these games prove that a single field goal can still define greatness.

FAQs

What’s the lowest-scoring NFL game ever?

The lowest-scoring game was a 0–0 tie between the Lions and Giants on November 7, 1943.

Has there been a 3–0 NFL game?

Yes, there have been multiple 3–0 games in NFL history, including the most recent one in 2023.

Why are modern NFL games higher scoring?

Rule changes, offensive innovation, passing emphasis, and improved turf have made modern games much higher scoring overall.

Can an NFL game end 0–0 today?

It’s extremely rare due to overtime and better offences, but a 0–0 tie is still technically possible.

Do fans enjoy low-scoring games?

Some fans appreciate the defensive strategy and old-school grind, though most prefer high-paced, high-scoring action.

Derek is a seasoned sports writer and former commentator for local U.S. football and basketball leagues. With over 10 years in sports media, he combines firsthand game insight with data-driven analysis to deliver trusted, engaging content that educates fans and deepens their sports knowledge.

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