In the history of the National Football League (NFL), there have been some lopsided games with massive point differentials. Fans often wonder – has any NFL team ever lost a game by 73 points or more? The short answer is no. No NFL team has ever lost a single game by 73 points or more.
The largest point differential in an NFL game
While no team has ever lost by 73+ points, there have been some very lopsided games in NFL history. The largest point differential came in 1940 when the Chicago Bears demolished the Washington Redskins 73-0. This represents the biggest blowout ever in an NFL game.
Here are some more details on this historic beatdown:
- Date: December 8, 1940
- Location: Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C.
- Teams: Chicago Bears vs. Washington Redskins
- Final Score: Bears 73, Redskins 0
The Redskins were completely outmatched and overwhelmed by the dominant Bears. Chicago scored 11 touchdowns on the day, with fullback Norm Standlee leading the way with 4 rushing TDs. The Redskins offense was smothered all game long, barely crossing midfield and never threatening to score.
Other large point differentials in NFL history
While the 73-0 Bears-Redskins game represents the biggest blowout, there have been several other games with massive point spreads:
- 1966: Los Angeles Rams 59, Atlanta Falcons 0 (59 point margin)
- 1976: Los Angeles Rams 59, Atlanta Falcons 0 (59 point margin)
- 2012: New England Patriots 59, Tennessee Titans 0 (59 point margin)
- 1954: Cleveland Browns 62, Baltimore Colts 3 (59 point margin)
- 1961: Houston Oilers 57, Denver Broncos 7 (50 point margin)
As the list shows, the Rams 59-0 demolishing of the Falcons in 1976 was the second largest point differential in NFL history. The Rams’ dominant defensive front known as the “Fearsome Foursome” overwhelmed the hapless Falcons offense all game long.
Largest Super Bowl point differentials
While regular season blowouts have seen larger margins, Super Bowl point differentials have never exceeded 50 points:
- 1989: San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10 (45 point margin)
- 1993: Dallas Cowboys 52, Buffalo Bills 17 (35 point margin)
- 1987: Washington Redskins 42, Denver Broncos 10 (32 point margin)
- 1990: San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10 (29 point margin)
The 49ers 55-10 demolition of the Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV represents the largest margin of victory in Super Bowl history. Led by MVP Joe Montana, the Niners offense was absolutely dominant, setting records for most points and largest margin of victory.
Why has no team lost by 73+ points?
There are several reasons why no NFL team has ever lost by the mammoth margin of 73+ points:
- Better overall talent in the league – The massive gaps in talent that enabled blowouts like the 73-0 Bears game are less common today. NFL talent evaluation and scouting have improved over the decades.
- Higher quarterback quality – With NFL rules favoring offense and passing, quarterback play has improved dramatically, making one-sided games less likely.
- Better coaching – Coaching staffs today are simply better trained and prepared to avoid disastrous games like a 73-point loss.
- League parity – Thanks to revenue sharing, salary caps, and the draft system, the NFL has achieved greater parity that makes such lopsided games very unlikely.
- Garbage time adjustments – Teams with big leads will remove starters and run down the clock rather than run up the score excessively.
For these reasons, a massive 73+ point loss seems highly improbable in today’s NFL. The league has achieved a level of competitive balance and competence that ensures games rarely get out of hand to that degree.
Could we ever see a 73+ point loss?
While a 73+ point loss is highly unlikely, it can’t be ruled out entirely. Here are a few scenarios where such a point differential could potentially occur:
- A future expansion team with an exceptionally poor roster gets overwhelmed in their debut season.
- A team loses its starting QB and most other key players to injuries shortly before or during a game.
- Freak weather conditions (e.g. extreme wind) significantly hinder one team’s offense and help the other’s.
- A team quits on a coach mid-game and stops trying for some reason.
Realistically, all the stars would have to align in an epic way for one team to demolish another by 73 points. But in the unlikely event that everything went wrong for one team, it can’t be ruled out entirely.
Conclusion
While no NFL team has ever lost a game by 73 points, there have been some major blowouts in league history. The largest point differential came in 1940 when the Bears beat the Redskins 73-0. Thanks to greater league parity and competence, plus rules favoring offense, a margin that massive seems highly improbable today. But it can’t be completely ruled out if the perfect storm of factors enabled one team to obliterate its opponent.