What is the least common method of scoring in American football?

The most unexpanded method of scoring in this American game is safety. However, since 1932 it was not a rare occurrence in this kind of sport: this method has occurred once every 14.31 games in the National Football League (NFL). In other words, its occurrence was about once a week under current scheduling rules.

One of the ways safeties can be scored is when a ball carrier is tackled in his own end zone. Another way to score them is when a penalty is committed by the offense in their own end zone.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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35 Comments

Mark Savage

OK, I guessed this as I know nothing about American football, so what is a safety?

Harrison William Hine

Not true. The drop kick field goal is the least used. Ask Doug Flute

james parrillo

Dennis Alessandrini, I am glad you would have known the answer. The question was about the way points are scored least often. I did not know. Thank you, Christine, James's wife

Ceil G.

Explanation is clear.

David Meyer

Mark Savage, basically, like the description said..It is an infraction in the offense where they are tackled in their own end zone..or the ball is snapped over the QB and lands in the end zone..or a penalty..it is worth 2 points..then the other team receives the ball afterwards..

goosenbuster

Stephen Greufe, least common, not most rare

silrem

Should add the other ways a safety is scored.

Chrissy Krainock Luders

QB hubby helped me on this one

Stephen Greufe

Of the listed answers, a safety would be the answer, but a return on a muffed one point conversion is far more rare.

Mark Ann Dubaz

This is an easy one for Americans.

Joseph A. Robitaille

Experience guess. Good Q and A.

Naked Kitty Slave

Ugh, I hate football. Wrangled between safety and two point conversion. Went with the one I never hear about. Woot for that method.

edward goodnow

he was refering to 'least common in occurence' suspect some people didn't read the question that way

edward goodnow

a sack as well within the end zone is considered a safety as well...PATS ROCK

edelbill

Mark Savage, In effect, it is usually a disgrace, but it can be part of a strategy. In the explanation below the answer, it's explained: "One of the ways safeties can be scored is when a ball carrier is tackled in his own end zone. Another way to score them is when a penalty is committed by the offense in their own end zone."