MOCKSLATE

Has an NFL game ever ended 21–16?

Yes. 21–16 has been an NFL final score 49 times, most recently Colts 21, Bears 16 on September 22, 2024. It first happened on September 24, 1939, the 249th different final score the league had produced.

Every NFL game that ended 21–16

Datenewest firstWinner21 pointsLoser16 pointsWherehome teamRoundplayoffsWindowstandalone game
Sep 22, 2024Indianapolis ColtsChicago BearsColts——
Nov 19, 2023Houston TexansArizona CardinalsTexans——
Nov 13, 2022Tampa Bay BuccaneersSeattle SeahawksBuccaneers—International
Jan 9, 2022Cleveland BrownsCincinnati BengalsBrowns——
Dec 6, 2020New Orleans SaintsAtlanta FalconsFalcons——
Sep 27, 2020Carolina PanthersLos Angeles ChargersChargers——
Sep 15, 2019Green Bay PackersMinnesota VikingsPackers——
Jan 9, 2011Green Bay PackersPhiladelphia EaglesEaglesWild Card—
Dec 2, 2007New York GiantsChicago BearsBears——
Dec 4, 2005Minnesota VikingsDetroit LionsLions——
Oct 30, 2005New England PatriotsBuffalo BillsPatriots—Sunday Night Football
Dec 20, 2003New England PatriotsNew York JetsJets—Saturday
Nov 18, 2002Los Angeles RamsChicago BearsRams—Monday Night Football
Dec 2, 2001Pittsburgh SteelersMinnesota VikingsSteelers——
Sep 3, 2000Tampa Bay BuccaneersNew England PatriotsPatriots——
Sep 3, 2000New York GiantsArizona CardinalsGiants——
Oct 31, 1999Cleveland BrownsNew Orleans SaintsSaints——
Dec 13, 1998New York JetsMiami DolphinsDolphins—Sunday Night Football
Nov 1, 1998New England PatriotsIndianapolis ColtsColts——
Oct 11, 1998Denver BroncosSeattle SeahawksSeahawks——
Sep 13, 1998Jacksonville JaguarsKansas City ChiefsJaguars——
Oct 13, 1997Washington CommandersDallas CowboysCommanders—Monday Night Football
Oct 5, 1997Green Bay PackersTampa Bay BuccaneersPackers——
Oct 23, 1994Detroit LionsChicago BearsLions——
Sep 29, 1991Dallas CowboysNew York GiantsCowboys——
Sep 16, 1990Cincinnati BengalsLos Angeles ChargersChargers——
Dec 27, 1987Dallas CowboysArizona CardinalsCowboys——
Sep 20, 1987Minnesota VikingsLos Angeles RamsRams——
Dec 12, 1982Las Vegas RaidersKansas City ChiefsChiefs——
Dec 14, 1981Los Angeles RamsAtlanta FalconsRams—Monday Night Football
Dec 14, 1980Pittsburgh SteelersKansas City ChiefsSteelers——
Sep 28, 1980Miami DolphinsNew Orleans SaintsDolphins——
Sep 21, 1980Tennessee TitansIndianapolis ColtsTitans——
Dec 18, 1977Tennessee TitansCincinnati BengalsTitans——
Nov 20, 1977Arizona CardinalsPhiladelphia EaglesCardinals——
Oct 23, 1977Kansas City ChiefsLos Angeles ChargersChargers——
Nov 14, 1976Atlanta FalconsSan Francisco 49ersFalcons——
Nov 17, 1974New York JetsNew England PatriotsPatriots——
Nov 25, 1973Cleveland BrownsPittsburgh SteelersBrowns——
Nov 5, 1973Pittsburgh SteelersWashington CommandersSteelers—Monday Night Football
Oct 7, 1973New Orleans SaintsChicago BearsSaints——
Nov 26, 1972Washington CommandersGreen Bay PackersCommanders——
Nov 16, 1969Las Vegas RaidersLos Angeles ChargersRaiders——
Dec 4, 1966Indianapolis ColtsChicago BearsColts——
Oct 8, 1961Philadelphia EaglesPittsburgh SteelersEagles——
Oct 25, 1959New York GiantsPittsburgh SteelersSteelers——
Dec 14, 1958Chicago BearsDetroit LionsBears——
Sep 21, 1947NAASan Francisco 49ers49ers——
Sep 24, 1939Green Bay PackersChicago BearsPackers——

Scores next to 21–16

Where 21–16 sits

21–16 was the 249th different final score in NFL history, and it first happened in 1939. The league has produced 1,097 different final scores through 18,340 games. See the whole grid →

About the data

Scorigami is a term coined by Jon Bois in 2014; his 2016 video explains the idea. Game data from nflverse and the FiveThirtyEight NFL archive: every NFL and AFL regular-season and playoff game since 1920, Super Bowls included, the AAFC and the Pro Bowl left out. Franchises carry their current name, so the Baltimore Colts count for Indianapolis and the Houston Oilers for Tennessee.

Updated: October 26, 2026