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. | Date | Matchup | Score | Total Points | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dec 10, 2023 | Vikings vs Raiders | 3–0 | 3 | Las Vegas, NV | Post‑merger, backup QBs, Mullens’ FG drive |
2 | Nov 26, 2007 | Steelers vs Dolphins | 3–0 | 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | MNF “Mud Bowl”, heavy rain |
3 | Dec 11, 1993 | Jets vs Redskins | 3–0 | 3 | Washington, D.C. | Poor offence, muddy conditions |
4 | Dec 12, 1982 | Patriots vs Dolphins | 3–0 | 3 | Foxboro, MA | The Snowplow game |
5 | Dec 16, 1979 | Buccaneers vs Chiefs | 3–0 | 3 | Tampa, FL | Tampa clinched a playoff berth |
6 | Oct 16, 1977 | Bills vs Falcons | 3–0 | 3 | Orchard Park, NY | Defensive stalemate; lone field goal |
7 | Nov 14, 1971 | Vikings vs Packers | 3–0 | 3 | Bloomington, MN | First post-merger 3–0 game |
8 | Dec 4, 1938 | Bears vs Packers | 2–0 | 2 | Chicago, IL | Last-ever safety-only NFL game |
9 | Nov 7, 1943 | Giants vs Lions | 0–0 | 0 | Detroit, MI | Last scoreless tie in NFL history |
10 | Oct 1, 1939 | Eagles vs Dodgers | 0–0 | 0 | Philadelphia, PA | Confirmed 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
Category | Details |
---|---|
Weather Conditions | Dome stadium (Allegiant Stadium) — climate-controlled |
Quarterbacks Started | Aidan O’Connell (Raiders) vs. Joshua Dobbs (Vikings) |
Total Offensive Yards | Vikings: 231, Raiders: 202 |
Game Type | Regular Season — Week 14 |
Key Play | Greg Joseph’s 36-yard FG with 1:57 left |
Notable Absence | Neither 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.

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
Category | Details |
---|---|
Weather Conditions | Heavy rain, muddy field conditions |
Quarterbacks Started | Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cleo Lemon |
Total Offensive Yards | Steelers: 200, Dolphins: 156 |
Game Type | Monday Night Football |
Key Play | Jeff Reed’s 24-yard field goal |
Notable Factor | Heinz Field conditions deteriorated throughout |
The infamous “Mud Bowl” saw terrible weather conditions turn Heinz Field into a quagmire.

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
Category | Details |
---|---|
Weather Conditions | Cold, windy conditions in Washington |
Quarterbacks Started | Boomer Esiason vs. Mark Rypien |
Total Offensive Yards | Jets: 181, Redskins: 170 |
Game Type | Regular Season |
Key Play | Nick Lowery’s 32-yard field goal |
Notable Factor | Both teams failed to reach the red zone multiple times |
This defensive struggle featured two teams with playoff aspirations but struggling offensive units.

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
Category | Details |
---|---|
Weather Conditions | Cold December weather in Foxboro |
Quarterbacks Started | Steve Grogan vs. David Woodley |
Total Offensive Yards | Patriots: 194, Dolphins: 139 |
Game Type | Strike-shortened season finale |
Key Play | John Smith’s 33-yard field goal |
Notable Factor | Division title implications |
During the strike-shortened 1982 season, this AFC East showdown carried significant playoff implications despite the ugly conditions.

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
Category | Details |
---|---|
Weather Conditions | Mild Tampa weather |
Quarterbacks Started | Doug Williams vs. Steve Fuller |
Total Offensive Yards | Buccaneers: 212, Chiefs: 176 |
Game Type | Regular Season finale |
Key Play | Neil O’Donoghue’s 19-yard field goal |
Notable Factor | Tampa’s first playoff berth was clinched |
This historic low-scoring affair clinched Tampa Bay’s first-ever playoff berth in franchise history.

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.
Rank | Date | Matchup | Final Score | Total Points | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nov 7, 1943 | Giants vs Lions | 0–0 | 0 | Last scoreless tie in NFL history |
2 | Dec 4, 1938 | Bears vs Packers | 2–0 | 2 | Only points came from a safety |
3 | Oct 8, 1922 | Canton Bulldogs vs Dayton Triangles | 0–0 | 0 | Early NFL defensive struggle |
4 | Oct 22, 1922 | Packers vs Milwaukee Badgers | 0–0 | 0 | Another early-era scoreless tie |
5 | Nov 13, 1921, | Akron Pros vs Buffalo All-Americans | 0–0 | 0 | One 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.
Record | Details |
---|---|
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 Era | 3–0 — Occurred 7 times since 1971 (post-merger); last in 2023 (Vikings vs Raiders) |
Most Recent Sub-10 Point Game | 3–0 — Vikings vs. Raiders, Dec 10, 2023 |
Most Common Low Score | 3–0, 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 Points | No. of Games | Notable Example |
---|---|---|
0 | 73 games | Lions vs Giants, 1943 |
2 | 5 games | Bears vs Packers, 1938 |
3 | 46 games | Vikings 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.

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.

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
The lowest-scoring game was a 0–0 tie between the Lions and Giants on November 7, 1943.
Yes, there have been multiple 3–0 games in NFL history, including the most recent one in 2023.
Rule changes, offensive innovation, passing emphasis, and improved turf have made modern games much higher scoring overall.
It’s extremely rare due to overtime and better offences, but a 0–0 tie is still technically possible.
Some fans appreciate the defensive strategy and old-school grind, though most prefer high-paced, high-scoring action.