CFZ The most common final score in NFL history and what it says about the game

[StarOfGlory]

And with this data one would assume our FO would put a premium on a kicker.

Not a 1st rounder like Fatty Janikowski but certainly shouldn’t be an afterthought either

Interestingly, the Raiders pick Ray Guy and Sebastian Janikowski in the first round. I believe they are the only team to draft a punter and a kicker in the first round. Guy played 14 years with the Raiders and Seabass 16 for them. They got lucky, it worked for them.

 

[cowboybish]

Bobhaze - no way I can prove it - but when I saw the thread title, '20-17' instantly popped into my mind.

Me too

 

[Bobhaze]

Interestingly, the Raiders pick Ray Guy and Sebastian Janikowski in the first round. I believe they are the only team to draft a punter and a kicker in the first round. Guy played 14 years with the Raiders and Seabass 16 for them. They got lucky, it worked for them.

If kickers didn’t so often go from completely reliable to a completely unreliable head case in a moment’s notice, they probably would get paid more and drafted higher. There are certainly important in the game of football. But who knows when the yips come in and take away their ability, lol.

 

[Scotman]

Thanks for that useless, but slightly interesting, piece of information.

This belongs in the OT Zone.

I'm really glad it's not up to you. This is exactly the kind of post I find interesting. It isn't just regurgitating the same opinions, the same news, the same reports. It's actually something that took a bit of research. And, it directly relates to the Cowboys because of our struggles with kickers in recent history. I can't imagine why you would think this isn't relatable. But, like I said, I'm glad you don't get to decide.

 

[Scotman]

If kickers didn’t so often go from completely reliable to a completely unreliable head case in a moment’s notice, they probably would get paid more and drafted higher. There are certainly important in the game of football. But who knows when the yips come in and take away their ability, lol.

It's amazing to me how quickly a kicker can go from consistent to useless.

 

[acr731]

I’m going to disagree that it doesn’t belong in the Fan Zone. The Cowboys need a kicker. Pretty clear when you look at these historical stats.
P.S.- leave out the insults.

You know, Bob, I hope you exercised your mod rights and sent this guy on a 6 month ban. It was totally uncalled for.

 

[MapleLeaf]

It's amazing to me how quickly a kicker can go from consistent to useless.

I find kicking no different than putting in golf. When it turns on you then the swear words come out and golf clubs get snapped.

 

[gtb1943]

I find kicking no different than putting in golf. When it turns on you then the swear words come out and golf clubs get snapped.

Its hard to find a kicker who is consistent year in and year out. Frankly, I would not have a problem using a fairly high pick on one if you REALLY thought he was one of those few.

 

[Cowboys5217]

37-7

That score is surprisingly common in Cowboys history. The Cowboys have won 6 or 7 games by that score. I think they have also lost by that score at least once.

 

[exciter]

In January, 2023, an NBC sports station in Philly published an interesting report on the most common final score in the history of the NFL. The NFL estimates that since 1920, there have been nearly 20,000 regular season games played in American professional football which includes the NFL, AFL, and the old AAFC (the short lived “All America Football Conference”)

According to the NFL, in those nearly 20k games, there have been 1,075 different final scores achieved in NFL history. In over 100 years of pro football, these are THE 5 most common final scores in regular season games in history:

• 20-17 (282 games)
• 27-24 (230 games)
• 17-14 (200 games)
• 23-20 (198 games)
• 24-17 (172 games)

There are several interesting aspects of this historical record:

• Over its 100+ year history, pro football has been remarkably competitive. Having a 3 point margin be that common is a testament to how evenly matched teams have been.
• It really underscores how important having a good kicker can be if games are consistently close.
• It also emphasizes that if games are that close, details matter. Having coaches and players that pay attention to the details of the game gives you a better chance to win.

In short, when the game is this competitive, details matter!

How many of those were the result of the original sudden death overtime rules?

 

[removed_20241105]

I’m going to disagree that it doesn’t belong in the Fan Zone. The Cowboys need a kicker. Pretty clear when you look at these historical stats.
P.S.- leave out the insults.

Well said. I’d add that insults are the truest sign of insecurity. Interesting nuggets in the OP.

 

[Cowboys5217]

In January, 2023, an NBC sports station in Philly published an interesting report on the most common final score in the history of the NFL. The NFL estimates that since 1920, there have been nearly 20,000 regular season games played in American professional football which includes the NFL, AFL, and the old AAFC (the short lived “All America Football Conference”)

According to the NFL, in those nearly 20k games, there have been 1,075 different final scores achieved in NFL history. In over 100 years of pro football, these are THE 5 most common final scores in regular season games in history:

• 20-17 (282 games)
• 27-24 (230 games)
• 17-14 (200 games)
• 23-20 (198 games)
• 24-17 (172 games)

There are several interesting aspects of this historical record:

• Over its 100+ year history, pro football has been remarkably competitive. Having a 3 point margin be that common is a testament to how evenly matched teams have been.
• It really underscores how important having a good kicker can be if games are consistently close.
• It also emphasizes that if games are that close, details matter. Having coaches and players that pay attention to the details of the game gives you a better chance to win.

In short, when the game is this competitive, details matter!

13-10 was the score that popped into my mind first when reading the title. Not too far off.

 

[DandyDon52]

It also emphasizes that if games are that close, details matter. Having coaches and players that pay attention to the details of the game gives you a better chance to win.

This is why the cowboys always lose in the playoffs.
The coaches are primarily responsible for the details, and the players knowing them, that and fundamentals, and game mgmt.

 

[john van brocklin]

In January, 2023, an NBC sports station in Philly published an interesting report on the most common final score in the history of the NFL. The NFL estimates that since 1920, there have been nearly 20,000 regular season games played in American professional football which includes the NFL, AFL, and the old AAFC (the short lived “All America Football Conference”)

According to the NFL, in those nearly 20k games, there have been 1,075 different final scores achieved in NFL history. In over 100 years of pro football, these are THE 5 most common final scores in regular season games in history:

• 20-17 (282 games)
• 27-24 (230 games)
• 17-14 (200 games)
• 23-20 (198 games)
• 24-17 (172 games)

There are several interesting aspects of this historical record:

• Over its 100+ year history, pro football has been remarkably competitive. Having a 3 point margin be that common is a testament to how evenly matched teams have been.
• It really underscores how important having a good kicker can be if games are consistently close.
• It also emphasizes that if games are that close, details matter. Having coaches and players that pay attention to the details of the game gives you a better chance to win.

In short, when the game is this competitive, details matter!

Attention to detail is a challenge for our current team.
It's an opportunity area for improvement.

 

[Bobhaze]

This is why the cowboys always lose in the playoffs.
The coaches are primarily responsible for the details, and the players knowing them, that and fundamentals, and game mgmt.

It may explain a lot about not winning even a divisional playoff game for so, so long. We’ve had enough talent but maybe not paying enough attention to the details like crisp playing to avoid penalties, getting the minute details and timing out of pass routes, and avoiding trips to Cancun during the off week before a playoff game haven’t mattered enough here.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

In January, 2023, an NBC sports station in Philly published an interesting report on the most common final score in the history of the NFL. The NFL estimates that since 1920, there have been nearly 20,000 regular season games played in American professional football which includes the NFL, AFL, and the old AAFC (the short lived “All America Football Conference”)

According to the NFL, in those nearly 20k games, there have been 1,075 different final scores achieved in NFL history. In over 100 years of pro football, these are THE 5 most common final scores in regular season games in history:

• 20-17 (282 games)
• 27-24 (230 games)
• 17-14 (200 games)
• 23-20 (198 games)
• 24-17 (172 games)

There are several interesting aspects of this historical record:

• Over its 100+ year history, pro football has been remarkably competitive. Having a 3 point margin be that common is a testament to how evenly matched teams have been.
• It really underscores how important having a good kicker can be if games are consistently close.
• It also emphasizes that if games are that close, details matter. Having coaches and players that pay attention to the details of the game gives you a better chance to win.

In short, when the game is this competitive, details matter!

What is this really all about, Mr. Natural?

 

[Cowboys5217]

Here's a list of the 37-7 games in Cowboys history.

1961 Steelers 37 Cowboys 7
1967 Cowboys 37 Falcons 7
1976 Cowboys 37 Rams 7 (Playoffs)
1977 Cowboys 37 Bears 7 (playoffs)
1982 Cowboys 37 Oilers 7
1983 Cowboys 37 Eagles 7
1997 Cowboys 37 Steelers 7
2002 Giants 37 Cowboys 7

 

[Cowboys5217]

Here's another trivia bit that I just learned.

The first game of any kind that the Cowboys ever won was a 1960 preseason game against the Giants. Dallas won 14-3. Date was 8-27-1960. Location was Louisville, KY.

Cowboys first win ever was in Louisville of all places.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

I think you're drawing some hasty conclusions, Bob. Those 5 most common scores you listed (one of which is a 7-point margin) still account for less than 5% of the 20,000 games played. I don't think you have enough data to conclude that, because 3-point margins are the norm among the most common scores, they are common among all final scores.

 

[Trendnet]

I think you're drawing some hasty conclusions, Bob. Those 5 most common scores you listed (one of which is a 7-point margin) still account for less than 5% of the 20,000 games played. I don't think you have enough data to conclude that, because 3-point margins are the norm among the most common scores, they are common among all final scores.

Pretty much this - Games decided by 3 points only account for 13% of all scores, expanding that to just 3 points or less - accounts for 22% of all scores.

Meanwhile games with 7+ point differential account for nearly 65% of all scores.

Conclusions derived from Bob post are just silly.