Tonight, under Kevin O’Connell’s leadership, the Minnesota Vikings clinched a historic win over the Las Vegas Raiders. However, it was the lowest-scoring NFL game in 16 years! The Vikings (7-6) had only 230 total yards, whereas the Raiders (5-8) had just 201 total yards.
Neither team was able to score in the first half. The game remained scoreless while entering the fourth quarter. This is the first time since Week 17 of the 2017 season when the Cowboys and Eagles faced each other. It is the first time the Raiders have been in such a game and the second for the Vikings. Their November 14, 1971 game against the Packers was similar. In the wake of such a game between the Vikings and the Raiders, let’s have a look at other lowest-scoring games.
The Vikings’ narrow victory echoes the NFL’s historic low-scoring battles
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Did you know there have been about 73 games in the NFL where zero points were scored? While they took place during the very early part of the sport’s history, the last 0-0 score happened in 1942 when the Giants and the Lions faced off. But there are five 2-0 games and one 3-0 game you need to know about.
Akron Pros versus Buffalo Rangers (1923): Akron Pros won over Buffalo Rangers (2-0) on November 29. Around 1,700 people attended the game on Thanksgiving.
Kansas City Cowboys versus Buffalo Rangers (1926): City Cowboys won over the Buffalo Rangers (2-0) on November 26. What was so special about this game? The stadium was covered with snow, slush, water, and mud, which had a depth of at least two inches.
Frankford Yellow Jackets versus Green Bay Packers (1928): The Jackets defeated the Packers, 2-0 on Thanksgiving on November 29. Around 8,000 people attended this game.
FINAL: @Vikings win the lowest-scoring NFL game since… 2007 😮 #MINvsLV pic.twitter.com/L0o4MjvXhq
— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2023
Chicago Bears versus Green Bay Packers (1932): The Bears and the Packers had clashed in 1932. It had resulted in the Packers winning over the Bears (2-0).
Chicago Bears versus Green Bay Packers (1938): During the year 1938 games, the Chicago Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers (2-0) at City Stadium in Green Bay on a fourth-quarter safety that was caused by a bad snap on a punt. Only a safety scored. This took place on September 18.
Now the Vikings’ recent win, although not record-breaking, echoes these historic, defensively dominated games. However, this wasn’t the first time a team scored 3-0 to gain victory. It reminds us of the Pittsburgh Steelers versus Miami Dolphins in 2007.
A repetition of the 2007 score!
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This new victory of the Vikings mirrored a similar score from November 26, 2007, when the Pittsburgh Steelers edged out the Miami Dolphins. This low-scoring affair was a rare event in the league, where the last-minute score was grabbed by the Steelers through a field goal. The Vikings matched this score that was last seen 16 years ago.
For the Vikings themselves, there has only been one other instance of such low scores. Historically, the Vikings have shown prowess in such tight games. They previously won with the same score against the Green Bay Packers in 1971.
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What do you think about these close finishes? Have you witnessed any of these live? Let us know below.