Lowest-Scoring NFL Playoff: In one game, the score was below five points. An additional scoreless contest transpired in the conference championship game. The following are the five lowest-scoring playoff contests in history.
Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers | 1996 Season
Combined points: 14
Final score: 14-0, 49ers
These two teams arrived in that position by failing to score in the first or fourth quarter. On December 29, 1996, however, the Niners scored in the interim at Candlestick Park. Both touchdowns were attributed to Steve Young, who achieved them through a nine-yard scramble in the second quarter and a subsequent short three-yard pass to Jerry Rice in the third.
San Francisco ultimately eliminated an Eagles squad that started quarterback Ty Detmer and featured a rookie safety in Brian Dawkins.
1997 season matchup: New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Combined points: 13
Final score: 7-6, Steelers
In the first quarter of this January 3, 1998 contest at the former Three Rivers Stadium, Kordell Stewart finished the game-winning touchdown run with a 40-yard scramble to the end zone. In the Wild Card victory, Stewart threw for 134 passing yards but added 68 through the ground.
The Steelers’ defense, which twice intercepted Drew Bledsoe, completed the task. Despite hauling in a combined 14 receptions and 200 receiving yards, Terry Glenn and Shawn Jefferson were both held scoreless by Pittsburgh.
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2017 season
Combined points: 13
Final score: 10-3, Jaguars
How they got there: ESPN described this game on January 7, 2018, as “ugly and unwatchable.” The Jaguars’ quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 87 yards and fumbled twice in this Wild Card matchup, which did not help matters. Against Jacksonville, Bills quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Nathan Peterman both threw interceptions. Jalen Ramsey picked off the latter quarterback to help end the game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams (1979 Season)
Combined points: 9
Final score: 9-0 Rams
How they advanced: On January 6, 1980, Frank Corral scored the entire conference championship with his leg. All three field goals made by Corral from less than 25 yards away—19, 21, and 23—saved the Rams for their inaugural NFC championship.
The Buccaneers were held to a dismal third-down conversion rate of 3 for 17 by the Rams defense, which also limited Tampa Bay to less than 100 yards rushing (92) and passing (96). That was the Ram’s defense, and Jack Youngblood, a future Hall of Famer, commanded the defensive line.
1970 Season: Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions
Combined points: 5
Final score: 5-0 Cowboys
The approach taken: This matchup was designed to be historic, as it marked the inaugural playoff contest to be conducted on artificial turf. However, this contest from December 26, 1970, is the NFL’s lowest-scoring playoff game to date. It was a letdown for a multitude of viewers, both in the Cotton Bowl and on television.
Greg Landry was sacked for the final points in the end zone. The Dallas defense contributed to the Lions earning the moniker “Doomsday” by limiting them to 156 total yards and forcing three turnovers on that day. Dallas triumphed over that divisional-round snoozer to secure the NFC championship.
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