The longest play from scrimmage in Week 5’s Dolphins-Titans game was only 17 yards. Is this the lowest ever?
Shortest longest play from scrimmage, 1981-2017
Scores are linked to the box score at Pro Football Reference. Does not include defense or special teams.
Both teams
| Game | Date | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos 13, at Bears 3 | 12/18/1993 | 16 | 39 degrees and rainy at kickoff; mud-soaked field (pictured above) |
| Giants 21, Redskins 10 | 10/28/1990 | 17 | |
| Dolphins 30, Patriots 10 | 10/7/2001 | 17 | Tom Brady’s first loss as starting QB |
| Dolphins 16, Titans 10 | 10/8/2017 | 17 | A Titans 59-yard TD pass was nullified by offensive pass interference. |
| Packers 35, 49ers 14 | 1/4/1997 NFC DIVISIONAL |
18 | 34 degrees, rainy, and 20 mph wind at kickoff |
| Bills 13, at Ravens 10 | 10/31/1999 | 18 | The Bills gained 29 yards on a combined pass + roughing-the-passer penalty. |
| Saints 24, at Buccaneers 21 | 10/23/1983 | 19 | |
| Dolphins 42, Chiefs 0 | 10/11/1987 STRIKE GAME |
19 | |
| Houston Oilers 17, Chiefs 7 | 9/16/1991 | 19 | The Oilers gained 25 yards on a combined pass + personal foul penalty. |
| Colts 6, at Patriots 0 | 12/6/1992 | 19 | 32 degrees and 20 mph wind at kickoff; attendance: 19,429 (lowest in Foxboro Stadium history for non-strike game) |
| Jaguars 17, at Steelers 3 | 10/3/1999 | 19 | The Steelers were safetied on each of their final two drives. |
| Lions 14, at Saints 10 | 9/3/2000 | 19 | The Saints gained 27 yards on a pass interference penalty. |
| Giants 16, Eagles 3 | 9/30/2007 | 19 | Osi Umenyiora had 6 of the Giants’ record-tying 12 sacks. |
| Ravens 28, Browns 10 | 9/21/2008 | 19 |
Single team
| Game | Team | Date | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers 21, Buccaneers 0 | TB | 12/1/1985 | 11 | The infamous “Snow Bowl”. |
| Redskins 23, Eagles 0 | PHI | 9/30/1991 | 11 | |
| Lions 19, at Bengals 13 | CIN | 11/22/1992 | 11 | |
| Cowboys 27, Giants 0 | NYG | 9/8/1996 | 12 | |
| Giants 17, at Buccaneers 13 | NYG | 9/12/1999 | 12 | The Giants won despite making just 4 first downs in 15 drives. |
| Jaguars 6, Ravens 3 | JAX | 11/14/1999 | 12 | |
| Texans 21, at Jaguars 0 | JAX | 12/26/2004 | 12 | |
| Jets 17, at Patriots 6 | NYJ | 11/15/1981 | 13 | rain, 20 mph wind |
| Dolphins 12, at Bills 0 | MIA | 9/4/1983 | 13 | Dan Marino made his NFL debut two weeks later. |
| Houston Oilers 7, Chiefs 6 | HOU | 10/9/1988 | 13 | Warren Moon missed the game due to a broken shoulder; backup Cody Carlson broke his thumb in the first quarter |
| Saints 10, Falcons 9 | ATL | 12/18/1988 | 13 | |
| Steelers 16, Chargers 3 | SD | 10/10/1993 | 13 | PFR mistakenly credits John Friesz with a 31-yard pass. |
| Steelers 14, Eagles 3 | PHI | 12/11/1994 | 13 | Randall Cunningham’s final game as an Eagle. |
| 49ers 17, Bears 0 | CHI | 12/17/2000 | 13 | The Bears gained 26 yards on a combined pass + face mask penalty. |
| Jets 13, at Panthers 12 | CAR | 10/28/2001 | 13 | |
| Lions 9, Cowboys 7 | DET | 11/3/2002 | 13 | The 3-5 Lions lost their next 8 games. |
| Packers 9, Vikings 7 | MIN | 12/21/2006 | 13 | 36 degrees and rainy at kickoff. |
| Steelers 31, Browns 0 | CLE | 12/28/2008 | 13 | Bruce Gradkowski went 5/16 for 18 yards and 2 interceptions. |
| Colts 23, Titans 0 | TEN | 12/28/2008 | 13 | The Titans had already clinched home-field advantage and were resting many starters. |
| Chargers 31, Jets 0 | NYJ | 10/5/2014 | 13 | Geno Smith missed a Saturday night team meeting because he misadjusted for the time-zone change. |
