The NFL has played games on Thanksgiving Day since the league’s inception in 1920, meaning this tradition dates back more than 100 years. While we recently revisited the highest-scoring Thanksgiving games in NFL history, what were the lowest-scoring contests on the holiday? Let’s look back on some of the greatest defensive battles on Thanksgiving.
What Were the Lowest-Scoring NFL Games on Thanksgiving Day?
- Green Bay Packers, 0 vs. Frankford Yellowjackets, 0 | 0 points | Nov. 28, 1929
- Canton Bulldogs, 0 vs. Akron Pros, 0 | 0 points | Nov. 25, 1926
- Elyria Athletics, 0 vs. Columbus Panhandles, 0 | 0 points | Nov. 25, 1920
- Chicago Bears, 0 vs. Chicago Cardinals, 0 | 0 points | Nov. 26, 1925
- Chicago Bears, 0 vs. Chicago Cardinals, 0 | 0 points | Nov. 25, 1926
- Frankford Yellowjackets, 2 vs. Green Bay Packers, 0 | 2 points | Nov. 29, 1928
- Akron Pros, 2 vs. Buffalo All-Americans, 0 | 2 points | Nov. 29, 1923
- Chicago Cardinals, 3 vs. Chicago Bears, 0 | 3 points | Nov. 24, 1927
- Racine Legion, 3 vs. Milwaukee Badgers, 0 | 3 points | Nov. 30, 1922
- Chicago Bears, 3 vs. Chicago Cardinals, 0 | 3 points | Nov. 29, 1923
- Chicago Cardinals, 6 vs. Green Bay Packers, 0 | 6 points | Nov. 29, 1934
- Chicago Cardinals, 6 vs. Chicago Bears, 0 | 6 points | Nov. 30, 1922
- Pottsville Maroons, 6 vs. Providence Steam Roller, 0 | 6 points | Nov. 24, 1927
- Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 0 | 7 points | Nov. 28, 1940
- Green Bay Packers, 7 vs. Brooklyn Dodgers, 0 | 7 points | Nov. 24, 1932
- Providence Steam Roller, 7 vs. Pottsville Maroons, 0 | 7 points | Nov. 29, 1928
- Philadelphia Eagles 12, Detroit Lions, 0 | 12 points | Nov. 28, 1968
Since we’ve included games before the NFL/AFL merger in 1970, there are quite a few low-scoring games on this list. In fact, there are five scoreless games where the two teams tied 0-0.
The Bears and Cardinals had back-to-back 0-0 Thanksgiving games, followed by a 2-0 contest the next year. That means that the Bears and Cardinals played on the holiday three years in a row and combined for 2 points across the three games!
As far as the lowest-scoring post-merger game, that distinction belongs to the Eagles and Lions, who combined for 12 points on Nov. 28, 1968.
The Eagles totaled 161 yards while the Lions totaled 168, and neither team scored a touchdown. Eagles kicker Sam Baker made four field goals, so he was responsible for all of the points in the game.
2024 NFL Thanksgiving Games Schedule
This year, NFL fans will be able to enjoy three divisional matchups on Thanksgiving. Here’s the complete schedule for the 2024 NFL Thanksgiving Games:
Game 1: Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
- Time: 12:30 PM ET
- Channel: CBS/Paramount+
Game 2: New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Time: 4:30 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
Game 3: Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers
- Time: 8:20 PM ET
- Channel: NBC/Peacock