The Last 0-0 Game in NFL History: 1943 Giants vs. Dodgers

"A long, low-quality game!"

The Last 0-0 Game in NFL History: 1943 Giants vs. Dodgers

The last 0-0 tie in NFL history occurred on November 7, 1943, when the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers battled through 60 scoreless minutes.

While modern NFL games regularly produce high-flying shootouts, this wartime clash at Ebbets Field stands as professional football's final point-free gridiron stalemate.

Despite the lack of scoring, the matchup was anything but boring. It was defined by brutal defensive stands, atrocious field conditions, and an astonishing 10 combined turnovers that constantly flipped field position.

Quarters of Gridiron Chaos

QuarterField Position & Drive HighlightsKey Events & Turnovers
Q1Contained largely between the 30-yard linesHeavy defensive slugfest; early fumbles stall opening momentum.
Q2Brooklyn penetrates the red zone inside the Giants' 15Giants force a goal-line stand; multiple missed field goal attempts.
Q3Midfield gridlock with erratic passingDeep interceptions trade field position; neither offense finds rhythm.
Q4Desperation drives stall in opponent territoryFinal turnover halts Brooklyn’s last-gasp scoring drive.

World War II had significantly depleted rosters across the league, leaving teams reliant on makeshift lineups and basic, ground-heavy playbooks.

Whenever either team managed to march into scoring territory, self-inflicted mistakes slammed the door shut. Missed field goals, fumbled snaps, and errant passes kept the scoreboard operator untouched all afternoon.

Since that muddy November day in Brooklyn, over eight decades of rule changes, overtime formats, and offensive innovations have guaranteed that a true 0-0 finish remains safely locked in the history books.

In 1943, the Giants and Dodgers played the NFL's last 0-0 tie—a game featuring 10 turnovers, zero points, and 60 minutes of pure wartime defensive chaos.