'Thursday Night Football' has turned into a derogatory term over the past two seasons, seemingly foreshadowing showcases of offensive torpidity that can leave NFL fans feeling blue.
This week, though? Well, in Week 13, spectators were greeted with a masterpiece. The Cowboys and Seahawks put on a clinic, ripping shreds beyond their opposition defenses to the tune of 76 points, 817 combined yards and countless amounts of sparkling highlights.
More than that, though, both teams combined to make a bit of league history. Neither Dallas nor Seattle booted the ball away on Thursday. Consequently, their clash became just the sixth game in NFL history in which neither side recorded a punt.
Between both sides' offensive fireworks and aggressive play-calling from both Mike McCarthy and Pete Carroll, there were few if any opportunities for either side to spend the ball spiraling via foot. The Cowboys converted on one of two fourth-down opportunities, while the Seahawks saw each of their three attempts fall short.
Punts have become ubiquitous across league circles. But on Thursday, things proved far more hectic. There was nary a chance for a break, especially as both offenses frolicked down the field with increasing ferocity.
MORE: How Dallas' win over Seattle affects NFC playoff picture
And although it was Dallas who won the battle — picking up its ninth win of the year in entertaining fashion — the league won the war, finally putting on an enthralling product for onlookers on Thursday night. Maybe miracles do happen...
No-punt games in NFL history
All but six games in league history have featured at least one punt. Of those six affairs, five have taken place in the regular season, most recently Eagles vs. Chiefs in Week 4 of the 2021 season.
More often than not, such matchups are filled with offensive vigor. The Eagles and Chiefs, for example, combined for 61 first downs and 932 yards, losing themselves in an offensive stupor.
The only playoff game to spurn a punt occurred in 2004 when the Peyton Manning-led Colts vanquished Trent Green, Priest Holmes and the Chiefs, 38-31. Much like the other matchups on the list, both teams were teeming with attacking flair; Manning tossed three touchdowns, while Edgerrin James and Holmes combined for another four between them.
Here's a complete list of the six no-punts game to have taken place so far:
| Game | Date |
|---|---|
| Bills vs. 49ers | Sept. 13, 1992 |
| Colts 38, Chiefs 31 | Jan. 11, 2004 |
| Packers 38, Bears 17 | Sept. 28, 2014 |
| Saints 44, Packers 23 | Oct. 26, 2014 |
| Chiefs 42, Eagles 30 | Oct. 3, 2021 |
| Cowboys 41, Seahawks 35 | Nov. 30, 2023 |
