Typically, during standalone primetime games, NFL fans hope for instant classics from the teams in action. Usually, that can come in the form of a back-and-forth battle with multiple lead changes. However, sometimes, the battle turns out to be a defensive clinic, with neither side willing to give an inch. When the Minnesota Vikings squared off against the Atlanta Falcons, it seemed like fans were gearing up for the latter style of game.
Through three quarters, the score bug read 12-6 in favor of Atlanta, with neither team recording a single touchdown on the evening. The game was on pace to be the first in nearly nine months of football to finish without a touchdown. Ultimately, that didn’t turn out to be the case. But, the matchup brought back memories of the last time an NFL game came to completion without a single ball going into the end zone.
The Last 0 Touchdown Game
The last instance of a no-touchdown game in the NFL came near Christmas Day in 2024. During a scheduled matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks on December 26, 2024, neither team reached the end zone even once.
In the last decade, there’s only been 2 SNF games that didn’t have a TD from either team:
▶️ 2021: Saints def. Buccaneers 9-0
▶️ 2016: Seahawks and Cardinals tie 6-6pic.twitter.com/fuLTTJUH01— PFSN (@PFSN365) September 15, 2025
Eventually, the Seahawks pulled off a narrow 6-3 victory in a game dominated by both defenses. Neither team managed to cross 300 yards of offense in total, even though Seattle won that battle handily.
Geno Smith, now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders, threw for 160 yards, while completing 17 of his 23 passes. He was supported in the run game by Zach Charbonnet (57 yards on 15 carries), as well as Kenny McIntosh (46 yards on seven carries).
On the Bears side, the situation was even more dire. The reigning first overall pick, Caleb Williams, threw an interception while compiling 122 yards through the air. He completed just 16 of his 28 passes, without any real support on the ground.
He was second in the league in rushing yards with 37 yards on five carries. D’Andre Swift led the team with 54 yards on 12 carries. Kickers Cairo Santos and Jason Myers combined for three field goal attempts, connecting on all three.
Falcons vs. Vikings Almost Joins the List
It wasn’t until there was less than four minutes left in the game that the SNF game between Minnesota and the Falcons recorded its first touchdown. Thanks to a critical penalty on fourth down by the Vikings, Atlanta got an easy first and goal opportunity.
Eventually converting with a Tyler Allgeier rushing attempt, it gave the Falcons what would turn out to be a game-winning 22-6 lead.
