With Super Bowl XL almost here, it’s time to look at some scoring trends. The ‘total’ in this year’s game is holding steady at 47.
While many playoff games turn out to be defensive battles, Super Bowl games tend to be relatively high scoring.
Looking back at recent games, we find that every Super Bowl this millennium has produced a minimum of 37 points. Those six games averaged just over 48 points per game. If we go back 30 years, we find that every game since 1976 has produced a minimum of 36 points. Those 30 games averaged just 51 points each. Of those 30 games, 15 ended with more than 47 points and 13 ended with less than 47 points. The 1982 and 1984 games ended in 47.
Seattle
Including their two playoff games, the Seahawks have seen the ‘Over’ go 11-7 this season. The ‘Over’ was 3-1 when Seattle was listed as the loser and 5-4 when they played a game with a ‘total’ ranging from 42 1/2 to 49 points.
pittsburgh
Including their three playoff games, the Steelers have seen the ‘Over’ go 10-8-1 this season. The ‘Over’ was 9-4 when the Steelers were listed as favorites, but only 1-4 when they played a game with an ‘overall’ ranging from 42 1/2 to 49 points.
head to head history
The Steelers and Seahawks have met only once in this millennium. That game, in Seattle in November 2003, resulted in a 23-16 victory for the Seahawks. The combined 39 points fell short of the ‘total’ of 44 1/2. The teams met 11 times during the 1980s and 1990s. Only the 1983 game ended with more than 47 points. The 12 games averaged a combined 33 points.
ford field facts
Obviously, the Detroit Lions will not be participating in Super Bowl XL. However, the game will be played at their Ford Field home. Since the regular season opener on September 22, 2002, 32 games have been played there. Sixteen games went over the number, while 16 games went under the number, including a 4-4 mark last season. Those 32 games ranged from a low of 16 points to a high of 74 points. The average is just under 42 points overall.
*Editor’s note:
Check out Ben’s documented past results from previous Super Bowls!
2005: EAGLES WINNER
2005: BASS WINNER
2004: MOST WINNER
2003: MOST WINNER
2003: WINNER OF THE BUCS
2002: BASS WINNER
2000: LOW WINNER
1999: WINNER OF THE BRONCOS
*Note that Ben passed away in 2001 because he had no opinion and didn’t want to force a play.