The NFL is built on big plays, explosive offenses, and thrilling comebacks—or so they’d have you believe. For under bettors, the true beauty of football lies in games where the scoreboard barely moves. These aren’t just low-scoring games; they’re masterpieces of defensive dominance, bad weather, and offensive ineptitude. Let’s dig up the graves of the greatest unders in NFL history, where punts reigned supreme, touchdowns were scarce, and under bettors became legends.

Super Bowl LIII: The (Un)Super Bowl

Final Score: New England Patriots 13, Los Angeles Rams 3

Total: 56.5

Billed as a clash between two offensive powerhouses, Super Bowl LIII turned into a defensive slugfest that left fans snoozing and under bettors grinning. The Rams, who averaged over 32 points per game in the regular season, couldn’t even manage a single touchdown. The Patriots weren’t much better, relying on a single fourth-quarter touchdown to pull away.

For under bettors, it was the Mona Lisa of defensive football. Each punt was a stroke of genius, each incomplete pass a masterful touch. By the time the confetti fell, the total score of 16 points had obliterated the 56.5 over/under line, leaving overs bettors in disbelief.

The Snow Bowl: Buffalo vs. Indianapolis, 2017

Final Score: Buffalo Bills 13, Indianapolis Colts 7 (OT)

Total: 36.5

When Mother Nature joins the defense, unders bettors can’t lose. Played in a blizzard that made passing nearly impossible, the Bills and Colts combined for just 20 points in what became known as the Snow Bowl. Quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Nathan Peterman—hardly offensive juggernauts on a good day—were rendered even more ineffective by the knee-high snow.

Despite overtime, the total stayed well below the pre-game line of 36.5. Overs bettors might have prayed for a miracle, but snow angels don’t score touchdowns. For under bettors, every frozen moment of this game was pure poetry.

The Wind Bowl: Bears vs. 49ers, 2005

Final Score: Chicago Bears 10, San Francisco 49ers 9

Total: 32

Soldier Field has seen its share of legendary games, but this wasn’t one of them—unless you love the under. With winds gusting over 50 mph, neither team could move the ball effectively, and passing was more of a suggestion than a strategy. The Bears managed a single offensive touchdown, while the 49ers relied on field goals that seemed to defy the laws of physics.

As the wind howled, overs bettors could only watch their tickets flutter away like leaves in the breeze. Under bettors, meanwhile, enjoyed every gust of glory.

Steel Curtain vs. Purple People Eaters: Vikings vs. Steelers, Super Bowl IX

Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6

Total: 33.5

Super Bowl IX featured two of the greatest defenses in NFL history: the Steelers’ Steel Curtain and the Vikings’ Purple People Eaters. Offense? Who needs it? The game didn’t see its first touchdown until the third quarter, and even that came courtesy of the Steelers’ defense.

With a final score of 16-6, this game is still one of the lowest-scoring Super Bowls in history. It was a defensive clinic and an all-time classic for under bettors who knew that these defenses weren’t about to let the offenses steal the show.

The Field Goal Fiesta: Jets vs. Dolphins, 2003

Final Score: New York Jets 13, Miami Dolphins 10

Total: 37

The 2003 Jets-Dolphins matchup was supposed to be a competitive AFC East showdown. Instead, it turned into a field goal contest where neither team could find the end zone with a map and a flashlight. Both defenses played lights out, while the offenses seemed determined to make punting an art form.

For under bettors, it was a delightful slog. The final score of 13-10 came in well below the modest total of 37, leaving overs bettors to wonder why they ever trusted Chad Pennington or Jay Fiedler to deliver.

The Ice Bowl: Cowboys vs. Packers, 1967

Final Score: Green Bay Packers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17

Total: No Official Line (Estimated 35)

Though it predates the modern era of sports betting, the Ice Bowl deserves a mention as one of the most iconic low-scoring games in NFL history. Played in -15°F weather with a wind chill of -48°F, the Packers and Cowboys struggled to do much of anything offensively.

While the game ended with a dramatic touchdown by Bart Starr, the brutal conditions ensured that scoring was minimal. Under bettors—had they existed in 1967—would have been thrilled to see the frozen tundra take center stage.

The Defensive Masterpiece: Ravens vs. Titans, 2000 Playoffs

Final Score: Baltimore Ravens 24, Tennessee Titans 10

Total: 36

The 2000 Ravens boasted one of the greatest defenses ever assembled, and they showcased their dominance against the Titans in this playoff matchup. The Titans’ offense, led by Steve McNair and Eddie George, could barely move the ball, and the Ravens’ offense did just enough to secure the win.

The game stayed comfortably under the total of 36, as Ray Lewis and company smothered the Titans at every turn. For under bettors, this game was a reminder that great defenses win championships—and bets.

When Overs Died: Patriots vs. Jets, 2001

Final Score: New England Patriots 10, New York Jets 3

Total: 36.5

The 2001 Patriots may have ended the season as Super Bowl champions, but they didn’t look like it in this early-season snooze fest against the Jets. Tom Brady, in just his second career start, managed a pedestrian 86 passing yards, while the Jets’ offense wasn’t much better.

With a combined total of 13 points, this game sent overs bettors into a spiral of despair. Under bettors, on the other hand, reveled in the futility of both offenses.

Conclusion

These games represent more than just low-scoring affairs; they’re legendary moments where defense and conditions crushed the hopes of overs bettors and crowned under bettors as champions. From blizzards to windstorms, from defensive dynasties to offensive incompetence, the greatest unders in NFL history are a testament to the beauty of the grind. So the next time you see a total that looks too high, remember these classics and embrace the under.

Rest. In. Props.