NFL’s Highest Scoring Games Of All Times

We genuinely are in the heyday of quarterbacks in the NFL.

To just a few, we had Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers (now the Jets), Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, and, until recently, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

More quarterbacks than ever are flinging the ball; from 2011 to 20 were the 10 seasons with the highest number of passing attempts per game. Additionally, in 2020, the average NFL game broke the previous record of 48.9 points set in 1961 with a record-breaking 49.6 total points.

Have record-breaking performances emerged from all this additional scoring, though?

NFL’s Highest Scoring Games Of All Times

Washington vs Giants, Nov. 1966

In November 1966, Washington went on a scoring binge and defeated the New York Giants with the highest total game score. They not only looked like winners, but they also had on their former Redskins uniforms.

This incredible 72-41 (113 total) victory came against the New York Giants on November 27, 1966, a season when the Big Apple squad should have been dubbed the NY Minnows. They were really flattered by this result, having trailed 34-7 at halftime, and they won only one game that year.

Bengals Vs Browns, November 28, 2004

The Bengals vs. Browns game is usually a big event in Ohio, but this is one of the biggest interstate rivalry games ever. With four touchdown passes in this game, many were persuaded that Carson Palmer would eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Rudi Johnson also had a career-high 202 yards and two touchdowns, calling it the game of his life.

With 21 points in the third quarter, the Browns mounted a strong comeback and seemed like they may take the lead. However, a pick-six decided the game, as the Bengals won 58-48, marking the rivalry’s pinnacle.

Chiefs vs Rams, November 18, 2018

This matchup was a fantasy matchup between the league’s newest star, Patrick Mahomes, and young, hotshot head coach Sean McVay’s spectacular offence. It did not disappoint—Mahomes and Jared Goff’s performance on Monday Night Football was nothing short of a masterpiece. Goff completed the pass play with 433 yards and four touchdown passes, in addition to one run. With 478 yards and six touchdowns, Mahomes equalled him.

Unfortunately, the main difference came from Mahomes’ three interceptions (one a pick-six) and two fumbles (one returned for a score). Although the Rams prevailed 54-51, both teams had the distinction of playing in the one and only game in which both sides scored 50 points or more—a tremendous accomplishment.

Highest-Scoring Overtime Game

Seattle Seahawks 51, Kansas City Chiefs 48; Nov. 27, 1983

You don’t see a 48-48 game at the conclusion of regulation very often. After Seattle swiftly overtook Kansas City with a 21-7 advantage in the second quarter, the two teams traded baskets for most of the second half. For the Chiefs, Bill Kenney completed 311 yards of passing with four touchdowns and no interceptions. For the Seahawks, Dave Krieg tallied three touchdowns and 280 passing yards. Norm Johnson eventually tied the game and won it for Seattle in overtime with two more 42-yarders.

Highest scores:

RANK POINTS SCORE WINNER LOSER DATE
1 113 72–41 Washington Redskins New York Giants November 27, 1966
2 106 58–48 Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns November 28, 2004
3 105 54-51 Los Angeles Rams Kansas City Chiefs November 19, 2018
4 101 52–49 New Orleans Saints New York Giants November 1, 2015
4 101 52–49 Oakland Raiders Houston Oilers December 22, 1963
6 99 51–48 Denver Broncos Dallas Cowboys October 6, 2013
6 99 51–48 Seattle Hawks Kansas City Chiefs November 27, 1983
8 98 54–44 San Diego Chargers Pittsburgh Steelers December 8, 1985
8 98 63–35 Chicago Cardinals New York Giants October 17, 1948
10 97 70–27 Los Angeles Rams Baltimore Colts October 22, 1950

 

 

 

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