How many teams in the NFL have won without scoring a touchdown?
Here's a list of teams that have won the most number of times without scoring a touchdown in the entire game.
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The Rams beat the 49ers on Thursday night in a game where neither side managed to score a touchdown (via AP)
Touchdowns are one of the most important ways for a team to score in the NFL. They give six points, more than any other play, and show that the offense was able to move the ball down the field successfully. However, there have been instances when a team was able to win a game without scoring a single touchdown.
Scoring a touchdown means the team’s strategy, playcalling, and execution worked perfectly. For the offense, TDs are often the ultimate goal on every drive, as they are the quickest and most effective way to win games.
Since the early days of the NFL, the offense has been a fan favorite because they score points that win games. The defense also carries the same amount of importance but is often neglected by fans as there are hardly any noteworthy plays made except for an interception or pick-six. Earlier, the offenses would be heavily dependent on the running game and the ball was thrown in the air only when absolutely necessary.
Defenses were also really physical until the 2000s and then certain rules were added by the NFL that stopped the players from getting too physical. As time passed by, defensive plays started getting more interesting and had found a counter to every play made by the offense. Some defenses were so dominant that they used to stop offenses from scoring a single touchdown in the entire game.
Teams that have won games without scoring a single touchdown
It was common for teams in the early days of the modern Super Bowl era to win games without a touchdown. It is easily possible if the team kicks field goals and the opposition also plays as badly as them.
The majority of the teams have won games where the offense couldn’t score a touchdown during the entire 60 minutes of regulation. Let’s take a look at all the teams that have won without scoring a single touchdown.
There have been at least 20 teams in the NFL that have won matches without a touchdown. Here are the top 11 teams that have won the most number of games without a touchdown. The data shown below is used from sportscasting.com.
1. Buffalo Bills: 12 wins
2. Indianapolis Colts: 10 wins
3. Cleveland Browns: 6 wins
4. New England Patriots: 6 wins
5. Las Vegas Raiders: 6 wins
6. Miami Dolphins: 6 wins
7. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 wins
8. Minnesota Vikings: 5 wins
9. Tennessee Titans: 5 wins
10. Baltimore Ravens: 5 wins
11. Washington Commanders: 5 wins
When was the last time a team won without scoring a touchdown?
The most recent instance of an NFL team winning without scoring a touchdown occurred in the 2024 season when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 12-6 on a rainy Thursday night. Both teams struggled offensively, with the Rams relying solely on four field goals to secure the win.
San Francisco’s defense kept the Rams out of the end zone, but their own offense faltered, managing just 191 total yards. The game was defined by missed opportunities and strong defensive play. In the third quarter, with the score tied 3-3, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had a chance to put his team ahead with a touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel, but the receiver dropped the ball.
The Rams capitalized by adding three more field goals, pulling ahead for the win. Despite a late interception by Purdy in the end zone, San Francisco couldn’t recover.
Can teams continue to win games without touchdowns?
Yes, it is totally plausible for teams to win without touchdowns granted they score at least 20-25 points from field goals and the opposition doesn’t catch up to them. It all comes down to special teams.
However, given the offense-driven league we are in right now, games, where touchdowns aren’t scored, are as rare as Halley’s comet. Quarterbacks are paid upwards of $150 million, fully guaranteed to win games for their franchise, and they do score those touchdowns.
Even though some fans may not see defense as the most important part of the team, they are just as effective as offenses in scoring and being there for the team. While there have been many instances in which teams have lost because they couldn’t score a single touchdown, there have also been instances where teams have won without scoring a touchdown. Hence, a “no name” defense can be the true differentiator in big games.
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Yash Karandekar
(1023 Articles Published)