You ever sit there watching a game and realize the scoreboard is basically turning into a calculator? Most NFL games are tight, defensive-minded chess matches. But sometimes, things just go off the rails. Defenses disappear, quarterbacks find a rhythm that feels like a video game, and we end up with something totally chaotic.
When we talk about the highest scoring NFL games ever, we aren't just looking at one-sided blowouts. We’re looking at those rare afternoons where both teams decided that tackling was optional.
The record books are weird. Some of the most prolific offensive displays happened decades before the "modern" pass-happy era. Yet, we still see these insane shootouts happen today. Honestly, it’s one of the few things that keeps us glued to the screen during a blowout or a wild Monday night.
Why Highest Scoring NFL Games Ever Still Matter
It’s easy to look at a box score from 1966 and think it doesn't matter. But these games set the ceiling for what’s possible in professional football. When a team clears 50 points, it’s a big deal. When two teams combine for over 100? That’s legendary.
The current gold standard for regular-season chaos happened on November 27, 1966. The Washington Redskins (now the Commanders) and the New York Giants combined for 113 points. Washington won 72–41. Think about that for a second. Seventy-two points.
The wildest part about that 1966 game wasn't just the scoring; it was the sheer lack of care for the football. There were 16 total touchdowns. In a weird twist of fate, the Redskins kicker, Charlie Gogolak, kicked a field goal with only seven seconds left. His coach, Otto Graham, basically said he wanted the "practice." The Giants were furious, obviously. They felt like Washington was running up the score. But in the history books, that kick is what pushed the total to 113, a number that hasn't been touched in the regular season since.
The Modern Era: When the Rams and Chiefs Broke the Internet
If you’re a younger fan, you probably remember November 19, 2018. It was a Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs. People called it the "Game of the Century" before it even started, and somehow, it actually lived up to the hype.
Final score: Rams 54, Chiefs 51.
That’s 105 points. It’s the third-highest scoring game in NFL history and the only game where both teams scored over 50. Patrick Mahomes threw for 478 yards and six touchdowns, and he still lost. Jared Goff threw for 413 and four scores. It was pure, unadulterated offensive genius mixed with some timely defensive scores (the Rams actually had two defensive TDs).
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What makes this game so important for the highest scoring NFL games ever conversation is that it proved the modern NFL is designed for this. With all the rules protecting quarterbacks and wide receivers, we’re seeing more "track meet" style games than ever before.
The Forgotten 106-Point Battle
Most people forget the 2004 matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. On November 28, these two AFC North rivals combined for 106 points. The Bengals took it 58–48.
It was a statistical nightmare for defensive coordinators. Rudi Johnson ran for 202 yards for the Bengals. Kelly Holcomb threw for over 400 yards for the Browns. It didn't have the "prestige" of the Rams-Chiefs game because neither team was a juggernaut that year, but it sits comfortably at number two on the all-time list.
The Top 5 Highest Scoring Regular Season Games
- Washington 72, NY Giants 41 (1966) – 113 total points. The all-time king of chaos.
- Cincinnati 58, Cleveland 48 (2004) – 106 total points. A classic Ohio shootout.
- LA Rams 54, Kansas City 51 (2018) – 105 total points. The modern standard for excellence.
- New Orleans 52, NY Giants 49 (2015) – 101 total points. Drew Brees and Eli Manning combined for 13 TD passes.
- Oakland Raiders 52, Houston Oilers (1963) – 101 total points. An old AFL slugfest that still counts.
What About the Playoffs?
Postseason football is usually more conservative. Teams play tight. They don’t want to make mistakes. But the highest scoring NFL games ever list includes a few playoff gems too.
The record for a playoff game belongs to the 2009 NFC Wild Card matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals. This was the peak "Kurt Warner is a wizard" era. Arizona won 51–45 in overtime. That’s 96 points.
Aaron Rodgers was just starting his legendary run, and he went blow-for-blow with Warner. The game ended on a strip-sack fumble return for a touchdown by Karlos Dansby. It’s arguably the most exciting playoff game ever played, even if you aren't a fan of either team.
Then you have the 1995 game where the Eagles dropped 58 on the Detroit Lions (final 58–37). That 95-point total is still a record for a non-overtime playoff game.
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The One Team That Rules Them All (73-0)
We have to mention the 1940 NFL Championship. It wasn't a "shootout" because only one team did the scoring, but it’s the most points ever scored by a single team in a game. The Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins 73–0.
The story goes that the Redskins had beaten the Bears 7–3 a few weeks earlier and called the Bears "crybabies." Big mistake. George Halas and his T-formation offense humiliated Washington. They scored so many touchdowns that the officials actually asked the Bears to stop kicking extra points because they were running out of footballs. Every time they kicked one, it went into the stands and the fans kept it.
Lessons From the Scoreboard
Looking back at these games, you notice a few trends. First, high scores usually involve a lot of turnovers. You can't get to 100 points just on long drives. You need defensive touchdowns, short fields, and special teams plays.
Second, these games often happen when a defense is truly broken. In the 2015 Saints-Giants game, Eli Manning and Drew Brees basically didn't see a defender for three hours. When you have two Hall of Fame caliber QBs playing against bottom-tier secondaries, the scoreboard is going to break.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
- Check the Over/Under: If you see a game with an Over/Under total above 55, pay attention. The oddsmakers are smells a shootout.
- Weather Matters: Almost all of these record-breaking games happened in clear weather or domes. Wind is the ultimate "point killer."
- Fantasy Football Gold: These games are where leagues are won. If you had Drew Brees in 2015 when he threw seven touchdowns, you probably didn't lose that week.
If you want to dig deeper into the stats, I highly recommend checking out the Pro Football Hall of Fame's breakdown of the 1966 game. It’s a fascinating look at a different era of the sport.
Next time you see a team put up 40 in the first half, don't turn the TV off. You might be watching history in the making. 113 points is a massive mountain to climb, but with the way the league is trending, it’s only a matter of time before someone hits 114.
To stay ahead of the next record-breaking performance, keep an eye on teams with high-volume passing offenses like the Chiefs, Bills, or Lions. You can track live scoring trends on NFL.com or use advanced analytics sites like Pro Football Focus to see which defenses are most likely to give up a "century mark" game this season.