Has Any Team Scored 0 in the Super Bowl? Facts & Records

By Sarah Miller · April 19, 2036

In the history of the Super Bowl, no team has ever scored 0 points in a game. The closest any team came was the 2007 New York Giants, who were shut out in the first half but ultimately scored 14 points by game's end.

Has Any Team Scored 0 in the Super Bowl?

The short and definitive answer is no—no team has been held to 0 points in any Super Bowl game since the first one in 1967. While some teams have struggled offensively, all participating teams have managed to score at least a field goal or touchdown over the course of 58 Super Bowls as of 2025.

Why Scoring 0 Is Extremely Unlikely

Field position and special teams: Even if an offense stalls, teams often attempt field goals from favorable field position.
Defensive and special teams scores: Turnovers can lead to defensive touchdowns or safeties, contributing unexpected points.

Game pace and strategy:

Lowest Scoring Performances in Super Bowl History

While no team has scored zero, several have recorded minimal points. These performances highlight dominant defenses, offensive struggles, or a combination of both.

Super Bowl	Team	Final Score (Losing Team)	Year	Opponent	Key Reason for Low Score
III	Los Angeles Rams	7	1969	NY Jets	Poor offensive execution, strong Jets defense
VII	Washington Redskins	7	1973	Miami Dolphins	Dolphins' "No-Name Defense" dominance
XVII	Washington Redskins	17	1983	Miami Dolphins	Better than average, but included here for context
XLVII	San Francisco 49ers	34	2013	Baltimore Ravens	Early deficit, played from behind

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that even in lopsided games, teams typically score more than 10 points. The lowest-scoring losing teams still managed at least 3 points via field goals or touchdowns. The Rams in Super Bowl III and Redskins in Super Bowl VII are among the few to be limited to just 7 points, underscoring elite defensive performances rather than complete offensive failure.

Close Calls: Teams That Were Shut Out Early

Some teams started slow but avoided a zero-point finish:

2008 New York Giants vs. Patriots (Super Bowl XLII): Held to 0 in the first half but scored 17 in the second half to win.
2012 Baltimore Ravens vs. 49ers (Super Bowl XLVII): Led 21–6 at halftime, but 49ers scored 31 second-half points despite early struggles.

These examples show how momentum shifts can rescue teams from potential scoreless outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scoring 0 in the Super Bowl

Has any team been shut out in the Super Bowl?

No team has been completely shut out (score 0 points) in any Super Bowl. The lowest total is 3 points, achieved by several teams, but no instance of 0 exists.

What is the lowest score in Super Bowl history?

The lowest score by a single team in Super Bowl history is 3 points, achieved by the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI (1972) and the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII (1999).

Has a team ever failed to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl?

Yes. The Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI (1972) only scored 3 points via a field goal and did not record a touchdown. Similarly, the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII scored only a field goal before their late touchdown.

Which team came closest to scoring 0 in the Super Bowl?

The 2007 New York Giants were shut out in the first half of Super Bowl XLII but scored 17 unanswered points in the second half. No team has gone scoreless through all four quarters.

Could a team realistically score 0 in a future Super Bowl?

While theoretically possible, it is highly unlikely due to strategic field goal attempts, potential defensive scores, and rule advantages for offenses. Modern NFL rules favor scoring, making a 0-point performance improbable.