Imagine a team so dominant that their punter becomes an afterthought, a mere spectator on the sidelines. That's the incredible story of the San Francisco 49ers and their remarkable puntless streak. But here's where it gets controversial: where does this historic run rank among the NFL's all-time greats? Let's dive in and find out!
The Puntless Phenomenon
As of Sunday, the 49ers' punter, Thomas Morstead, had not kicked a ball in a game since late November. With Brock Purdy leading the charge, the Niners had been on an absolute tear, scoring a whopping 85 points across their last two games without a single punt.
Morstead, at 39 years old, had it easy. But on Sunday night, the streak finally came to an end. After starting the game with two puntless possessions, the 49ers' run extended to an impressive 23 consecutive drives without a punt. However, a four-play drive midway through the first quarter saw Morstead boot the ball back to the Bears, ending the team's quest for a record-breaking performance.
The Niners fell just four drives short of tying the record of 27 puntless drives, set by the Indianapolis Colts in 2005.
The All-Time Greats
So, where does the 49ers' achievement rank in NFL history? Let's take a look at some of the longest runs without a punt since 2000:
Indianapolis Colts (2005):
A dominant season for the Colts, led by the legendary Peyton Manning. They finished as the top seed in the AFC with an impressive 14-2 record. The offense was a force to be reckoned with, ranking first in yards per play and second in scoring. Manning's 28 touchdown passes and league-leading passer rating of 104.1 were the stuff of legends. However, their season ended in disappointment, with a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who went on to win the Super Bowl.
New England Patriots (2015):
As defending champions, Tom Brady and the Patriots continued their dominance, winning their seventh consecutive AFC East title with a 12-4 record. The offense averaged an impressive 29.1 points per game, ranking third in the NFL. Brady's 36 touchdown passes and 4,770 passing yards led the league. Despite a strong showing, the Patriots fell just short of another Super Bowl appearance, losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.
Buffalo Bills (2021-2022):
Josh Allen and the Bills achieved back-to-back division titles for the first time in decades. This Buffalo squad was a force on offense, ranking third in the NFL in points scored and fifth in total offense. Their defense was equally impressive, leading the league in total yardage. With 22 consecutive puntless possessions, the Bills took down the Patriots in the wild-card round, but their playoff run ended in heartbreak against the Chiefs, resulting in a change to the NFL's overtime rules.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2004):
Led by rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, these Steelers relied on an excellent rushing offense and the NFL's best defense. Pittsburgh finished with an impressive 15-1 record, winning 14 straight games to end the regular season. Their ground game was formidable, with Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley each rushing for over 800 yards. Despite an overtime win against the New York Jets, the Steelers couldn't overcome the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
Green Bay Packers (2025-present):
The Packers are a unique addition to this list. With an active streak of 22 straight drives without a punt, Daniel Whelan has not punted since the third quarter against the Broncos. However, their recent form has been disappointing, losing three straight games. What's more, 10 of those 22 drives have resulted in turnovers. The Packers are the only team on this list to lose a game during their puntless stretch, let alone three.
Indianapolis Colts (2025):
The Colts' incredible start to the season is a distant memory now. They scored a franchise-record 103 points in their first three games, a feat not seen since 1967. Daniel Jones and the Colts' offense began the season with 20 consecutive puntless drives, a remarkable achievement. However, their season took a turn for the worse, with six straight losses, an Achilles injury to Jones, and elimination from playoff contention.
So, where does the 49ers' 23-drive streak rank among these all-time greats? It's a tough call, but their performance certainly deserves recognition.
What do you think? Is there another team's puntless streak that deserves a mention? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on these incredible NFL moments!
