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Points aren’t expected to be at a minimum on Sunday as the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Super Bowl LV.
Throughout the history of the Super Bowl however, there have been some dominating defensive efforts. Before things kick off on Sunday evening, take a look back on the five lowest-scoring Super Bowls:
5. Super Bowl VI (27)
Dallas Cowboys 24, Miami Dolphins 3
Date: Jan. 16, 1972
Location: New Orleans, LA
MVP: Roger Staubach, QB Dallas
Overview: In their first Super Bowl appearance, the Miami Dolphins became the first team in Super Bowl history to fail to score a touchdown. The Dallas Cowboys’ defense held Miami to just 185 total yards. Roger Staubach threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead a Dallas offense that nearly doubled Miami’s offensive output.
4. Super Bowl III (23)
New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts 3
Date: Jan. 12, 1969
Location: Miami, FL
MVP: Joe Namath, QB New York
Overview: As guaranteed by quarterback Joe Namath, the New York Jets pulled off the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. The first AFL team to win the Super Bowl, the Jets dominated defensively, forcing five turnovers. Randy Beverly came up with two of the four interceptions for New York. Matt Snell scored the lone touchdown for the Jets. The Baltimore Colts broke up the shutout with 3:15 remaining when Jerry Hill scored from a yard out.
3. Super Bowl IX (22)
Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
Date: Jan. 12, 1975
Location: New Orleans, LA
MVP: Franco Harris, RB Pittsburgh
Overview: The first of four Super Bowl victories for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970’s came largely thanks to the defense. In Super Bowl IX, the “Steel Curtain” defense held the Minnesota Vikings to just 119 yards and forced five turnovers. The lone touchdown for Minnesota came on a blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone by Terry Brown in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh’s Larry Brown put the game away later in the quarter with a 4-yard touchdown. Franco Harris rushed for a then Super Bowl record 158 yards and a touchdown in the win.
2. Super Bowl VII (21)
Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7
Date: Jan. 14, 1973
Location: Los Angeles, CA
MVP: Jake Scott, S Miami
Overview: The Miami Dolphins’ “No Name Defense” stole the show as Don Shula’s team completed the first and only perfect season in NFL history. Safety Jake Scott and linebacker Nick Buoniconti combined for three interceptions and 99 interception return yards. Howard Twilley and Jim Kiick scored first-half touchdowns. The Washington Redskins broke up the shutout in the fourth quarter when Mike Bass returned a fumble by Miami kicker Garo Yepremian 49 yards for a touchdown following a blocked field goal attempt.
1. Super Bowl LIII (16)
New England Patriots 13, Los Angeles Rams 3
Date: Feb. 3, 2019
Location: Atlanta, GA
MVP: Julian Edelman, WR New England
Overview: Through three quarters in Super Bowl LIII, all each team had managed was a field goal. The New England Patriots finally broke through with a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter on a run by Sony Michel. Stephen Gostkowski’s second field goal of the night sealed the win. This is the only Super Bowl where only one touchdown was scored.
Mike Ferguson is the managing editor for Fifth Quarter. Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeWFerguson. Follow all of Mike’s work by liking his Facebook page.