Has a Team Ever Been Shut Out in the Super Bowl?

By Sarah Miller · October 20, 2046

Yes, multiple teams have gone scoreless in Super Bowl history. The most notable instance occurred in Super Bowl XVI, when the Cincinnati Bengals were shut out by the San Francisco 49ers, losing 26–0. This remains the only time a team failed to score a single point in the entire game.

Understanding Scoreless Performances in the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of American football, where elite teams compete for the Lombardi Trophy. Despite high expectations for offensive fireworks, defensive dominance has occasionally led to historic shutouts. While scoring is common, there are rare cases where one team completely fails to register on the scoreboard.

Key Facts About Scoreless Teams in the Super Bowl

Only one team has been completely shut out in Super Bowl history.
The Cincinnati Bengals scored 0 points in Super Bowl XVI (1982).
Several other teams have failed to score touchdowns but managed field goals.
Defensive and special teams touchdowns do not prevent a shutout if the offense doesn't score.
Weather, turnovers, and defensive pressure often contribute to low or zero offensive output.

Super Bowl XVI: The Only Shutout in History

On January 24, 1982, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26–0 in Super Bowl XVI at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. It was the first Super Bowl held in a cold-weather, indoor stadium, which may have influenced offensive strategies.

Why the Bengals Failed to Score

Turnovers: Quarterback Ken Anderson threw three interceptions.
Defensive Pressure: The 49ers' defense consistently disrupted passing lanes and contained the run.
Field Position: Poor starting field position limited Cincinnati's ability to mount drives.
Red Zone Inefficiency: The Bengals entered the red zone multiple times but failed to convert.

Teams That Failed to Score Touchdowns But Avoided a Shutout

While only one team has been fully shut out, several others have failed to score a touchdown yet still recorded points via field goals:

Los Angeles Rams – Super Bowl XIV (1980): Scored 19 points but no offensive touchdowns.
Miami Dolphins – Super Bowl VI (1972): Lost 24–3; their only points came from a field goal.
Denver Broncos – Super Bowl XXIV (1990): Lost 55–10; only offensive touchdown came late in the game.

Historical Data: Teams Held Without Points in the Super Bowl

Super Bowl	Date	Losing Team	Winning Team	Final Score	Points Allowed
XVI	Jan 24, 1982	Cincinnati Bengals	San Francisco 49ers	26–0	0
VII	Jan 14, 1973	Washington Redskins	Miami Dolphins	14–7	7
XLVIII	Feb 2, 2014	Denver Broncos	Seattle Seahawks	43–8	8
LIII	Feb 3, 2019	Los Angeles Rams	New England Patriots	13–3	3
LVII	Feb 12, 2023	Philadelphia Eagles	Kansas City Chiefs	38–35	35

Table data source:1, 2

The data confirms that only the 1981 Cincinnati Bengals were held to zero points in a Super Bowl. Other low-scoring performances, such as the Rams in Super Bowl LIII (3 points), highlight strong defensive matchups but fall short of a complete shutout. Weather, defensive strategy, and offensive miscues are recurring factors in these games.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teams Not Scoring in the Super Bowl

Has any team ever been shut out in the Super Bowl?

Yes, the Cincinnati Bengals were shut out in Super Bowl XVI, losing 26–0 to the San Francisco 49ers. This is the only instance in Super Bowl history where a team failed to score any points.

Which Super Bowl had the lowest combined score?

Super Bowl LIII holds the record for the lowest combined score with a final of 13–3 (16 total points). The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in a defensive battle that featured no touchdowns from either offense.

Have any teams failed to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl?

Yes, several teams have failed to score an offensive touchdown. The Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII only managed three points via a field goal. The Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI also scored only a field goal.

What factors lead to a team not scoring in the Super Bowl?

Poor offensive execution, turnovers, strong opposing defenses, red zone inefficiency, and adverse weather conditions can all contribute to a team failing to score. In Super Bowl XVI, the Bengals' three interceptions and inability to finish drives were decisive.

Could a shutout happen again in a future Super Bowl?

While unlikely due to modern offensive efficiency, a shutout is still possible. Elite defenses, like the 2013 Seattle Seahawks or 2000 Baltimore Ravens, have the potential to dominate under the right conditions. However, rule changes favoring offense make a repeat of Super Bowl XVI improbable.