The only touchdown of the contest arrived in the fourth quarter courtesy of Pats running-back Sony Michel, as both defenses excelled throughout to limit scoring opportunities.
A total of 16 points meant the 53rd edition of the Super Bowl was the lowest-scoring in history.
Omnisport looks back at the five Super Bowls to have delivered the fewest points.
- Super Bowl LIII: Patriots 13 Rams 3
The Rams came into Sunday’s game boasting the second-best offensive record in the league, but Sean McVay’s men were shut down by a Bill Belichick masterclass in Atlanta.
Quarterback Jared Goff was put under immense pressure and failed to find an answer as the Rams’ first eight drives all ended with punts – setting a new Super Bowl record.
New England’s offense was also stifled impressively by an opposing defense featuring Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, but Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski teamed up beautifully in a fourth-quarter drive that ended with Michel’s crucial score.
That touchdown, together with two Stephen Gostkowski field goals and an extra point from the kicker, was all the Patriots needed.
- Super Bowl VII: Dolphins 14 Redskins 7
Prior to Sunday, the record for the lowest-scoring Super Bowl had stood for 46 years.
The Miami Dolphins dominated Super Bowl VII against the Washington Redskins in Los Angeles and looked set to record a 17-0 victory to cap off a 17-0 season when Garo Yepremian stepped up for a field goal in the final minutes of the game.
However, ‘Garo’s Gaffe’ almost proved costly for the Dolphins. Yepremian saw his kick charged down and then embarrassingly fumbled the ball, enabling Mike Bass to return it 49 yards for a touchdown.
Miami ended up hanging on for victory. Thankfully for Yepremian, they were successful.
- Super Bowl IX: Steelers 16 Vikings 6
Two years on from that contest, the Steelers claimed the first of two successive triumphs courtesy of a magnificent defensive display.
Pittsburgh’s ‘Steel Curtain’ limited the Minnesota Vikings to a paltry 119 offensive yards, 39 fewer than Steelers fullback Franco Harris managed on his own.
The Vikings’ only touchdown came off a blocked punt and the Steelers found the end zone in the third and fourth quarters to secure victory, after the first half produced just two points courtesy of the first safety in Super Bowl history.
- Super Bowl III: Jets 16 Colts 7
Fifty years have now passed since the New York Jets pulled off a major surprise by downing the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath was the Jets’ signal-caller and earned MVP honours despite failing to throw a touchdown pass in a 16-7 triumph. Remarkably, Namath did not throw a pass at all in the fourth quarter.
A Matt Snell rushing touchdown and three field goals from Jim Turner secured victory for New York, with Jerry Hill’s late TD no more than a consolation for the Colts.
It was a glorious day for the Jets, but they have not reached a Super Bowl since.
- Super Bowl VI: Cowboys 24 Dolphins 3
A year before their perfect 1972 season, the Dolphins endured a miserable time of things against the Dallas Cowboys in the match to decide the champions of the 1971 campaign.
In bitterly cold conditions in Louisiana, Miami were unable to register a single touchdown in a one-sided contest.
Up until Sunday, they remained the only team not to have scored a TD in a Super Bowl, but they now share that unwanted record with the Rams.
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