Lowest Scoring Game in NFL History: A Battle of Defense and Missed Opportunities

Lowest Scoring Game in NFL History: A Battle of Defense and Missed Opportunities

In the annals of the National Football League (NFL), one game stands out as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport. On November 12, 1940, the Chicago Bears faced off against the Washington Redskins in a game that would go down in history as the lowest-scoring contest in NFL history.

The game was played in frigid temperatures before a meager crowd of 12,000 at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The weather conditions made passing extremely difficult, and the two teams struggled to move the ball throughout the afternoon.

As the game progressed, it became clear that defense would reign supreme. The Bears and Redskins traded punts and interceptions, with neither team able to find any rhythm on offense.

Lowest Scoring Game in NFL History

The lowest-scoring game in NFL history took place on November 12, 1940, between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins.

  • Final score: 0-7
  • Only touchdown scored by Turk Edwards on a fumble recovery
  • Bears' Sid Luckman threw for 4 interceptions
  • Redskins' Sammy Baugh completed only 3 of 20 passes
  • Temperature at game time: 12 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Attendance: 12,000
  • Bears' George Musso kicked the extra point

The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball. The only points came in the second quarter when the Redskins' Turk Edwards recovered a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown. The Bears' George Musso kicked the extra point, and that would be the only scoring play of the game.

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Only touchdown scored by Turk Edwards on a fumble recovery

The only touchdown of the game came in the second quarter when the Redskins' Turk Edwards recovered a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown.

  • Edwards' fumble recovery

    The play started with a pass from Bears quarterback Sid Luckman to running back Bill Osmanski. Osmanski was hit by Redskins defensive back Andy Farkas and fumbled the ball. Edwards scooped up the loose ball and ran it in for the touchdown.

  • Edwards' touchdown run

    Edwards ran the ball 11 yards for the touchdown. He was not tackled by any Bears defenders on the play.

  • George Musso's extra point

    Bears kicker George Musso kicked the extra point after Edwards' touchdown. This gave the Redskins a 7-0 lead.

  • The only scoring play of the game

    Edwards' touchdown run was the only scoring play of the game. Neither team was able to score any points in the remaining three quarters.

Edwards' touchdown run was a crucial play in the game. It gave the Redskins an early lead, and they were able to hold on to that lead for the rest of the game.

Bears' Sid Luckman threw for 4 interceptions

Bears quarterback Sid Luckman threw for four interceptions in the game, which was a major factor in the team's loss.

  • First interception

    Luckman's first interception came in the first quarter. He was trying to pass to wide receiver Ken Kavanaugh, but the pass was intercepted by Redskins defensive back Sammy Baugh.

  • Second interception

    Luckman's second interception came in the second quarter. He was trying to pass to wide receiver Bill Osmanski, but the pass was intercepted by Redskins defensive back Andy Farkas.

  • Third interception

    Luckman's third interception came in the third quarter. He was trying to pass to wide receiver George Musso, but the pass was intercepted by Redskins defensive back Charley Malone.

  • Fourth interception

    Luckman's fourth and final interception came in the fourth quarter. He was trying to pass to wide receiver Bill Osmanski, but the pass was intercepted by Redskins defensive back Sammy Baugh.

Luckman's interceptions gave the Redskins several opportunities to score points, but they were unable to capitalize on them. However, the interceptions did help to keep the Bears out of the end zone and contribute to their 0-7 loss.

Redskins' Sammy Baugh completed only 3 of 20 passes

Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh, who is considered one of the greatest passers in NFL history, completed only 3 of 20 passes in the game. This was a major factor in the Redskins' offensive struggles.

There were several reasons for Baugh's poor performance. First, the weather conditions were extremely cold and windy, which made it difficult to throw the ball. Second, the Bears' defense was playing very well and was able to put a lot of pressure on Baugh.

Despite his struggles, Baugh did make some big plays in the game. He threw a 20-yard pass to wide receiver Wayne Millner in the first quarter, which set up the Redskins' only touchdown of the game. He also threw a 30-yard pass to wide receiver Monk Moscrip in the fourth quarter, which gave the Redskins a chance to tie the game.

However, Baugh's overall performance was not good enough to lead the Redskins to a victory. His poor passing accuracy and inability to connect with his receivers on a consistent basis contributed to the Redskins' 0-7 loss.

Temperature at game time: 12 degrees Fahrenheit

The temperature at game time was 12 degrees Fahrenheit, which was extremely cold for a football game. This had a significant impact on the game, as it made it difficult for the players to move and throw the ball.

  • **Impact on the players**

    The cold weather made it difficult for the players to stay warm and loose. This led to several injuries, including a broken leg for Redskins running back Cliff Battles.

  • Impact on the passing game

    The cold weather made it difficult for the quarterbacks to throw the ball accurately. The ball was slippery and difficult to grip, and the wind made it difficult to control the passes.

  • Impact on the running game

    The cold weather also made it difficult for the running backs to gain yards. The ground was frozen and slippery, and the cold weather made it difficult for the running backs to get their footing.

  • Impact on the overall game

    The cold weather contributed to the low-scoring nature of the game. Both teams struggled to move the ball and score points.

The cold weather was a major factor in the lowest-scoring game in NFL history. It made it difficult for the players to play their best and contributed to the low-scoring outcome.

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A meager 12,000 fans shivered at frigid Griffith='"

Chicago's George Musso kicked the extra point

Chicago's George Musso was the one who kicked the extra point after Turk Edwards' touchdown run. This gave the Redskins a 7-0 lead, which would be the final score of the game.

  • **Musso's kicking career**

    Musso was a placekicker for the Chicago CardinalsChicago in the 1930s, the Chicago Bears in the 1940s, and the New York Bulldogs in the 1940s.

  • **Musso's kicking in the 1940 NFL Championship Game**

    Musso played in the 1940 NFL Championship Game, in which the Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 7-3.

  • Musso's overall kicking career

    Musso was a successful kicker during his career. He was accurate, he had a great leg, and he was able to kick the ball a long way. Musso was a valuable player for the Bears and helped them to win two NFL championships.

Musso's extra point kick was an important play in the 1940 NFL Championship Game. It gave the Bears a 7-0 lead, which was the lead they held on to win the game.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the lowest-scoring game in NFL history:

Question 1: When and where did the game take place?
Answer: The game took place on November 12, 1940, at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Question 2: What teams played in the game?
Answer: The game was played between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins.

Question 3: What was the final score of the game?
Answer: The final score of the game was 7-0 in favor of the Washington Redskins.

Question 4: Who scored the only touchdown of the game?
Answer: Turk Edwards of the Washington Redskins scored the only touchdown of the game on a fumble recovery.

Question 5: Who was the quarterback of the Bears in the game?
Answer: Sid Luckman was the quarterback of the Bears in the game.

Question 6: How cold was it at the game?
Answer: The temperature at the game was 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 7: How many fans attended the game?
Answer: A meager 12,000 fans attended the game.

Closing Paragraph for FAQ:

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the lowest-scoring game in NFL history. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Now that you know more about the lowest-scoring game in NFL history, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the game more:

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the lowest-scoring game in NFL history:

Tip 1: Keep your expectations low.

This is not going to be a high-scoring game. In fact, it is likely to be one of the lowest-scoring games you will ever see. So don't expect to see a lot of points. Just sit back and enjoy the defensive struggle.

Tip 2: Pay attention to the defense.

This game is all about defense. Both teams are going to be trying to stop the other team from scoring. So pay attention to the defensive players. Watch how they are able to shut down the opposing offense.

Tip 3: Don't be afraid to cheer for the underdog.

The Redskins were a big underdog in this game. But they were able to pull off the upset. So don't be afraid to cheer for the underdog. You might be surprised at what they can accomplish.

Tip 4: Enjoy the history.

This game is a piece of NFL history. It is the lowest-scoring game in NFL history. So sit back and enjoy the moment. You are witnessing a piece of history.

Closing Paragraph for Tips:

These are just a few tips to help you enjoy the lowest-scoring game in NFL history. Just remember to keep your expectations low, pay attention to the defense, don't be afraid to cheer for the underdog, and enjoy the history.

Now that you know more about the lowest-scoring game in NFL history and have some tips on how to enjoy it, here is a brief conclusion to wrap things up:

Conclusion

Summary of Main Points

The lowest-scoring game in NFL history was a defensive struggle between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins. The game was played on November 12, 1940, at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. The Redskins won the game 7-0, with the only touchdown coming on a fumble recovery by Turk Edwards. The game was played in frigid temperatures, and the weather conditions made it difficult for both teams to move the ball. The Redskins' defense was able to shut down the Bears' offense, and the Redskins were able to pull off the upset.

Closing Message

The lowest-scoring game in NFL history is a reminder that anything can happen in football. Even the most lopsided games can be close, and even the most talented teams can be defeated. So never give up on your team, no matter how bad things may seem.