As an NFL fan, there’s nothing better than a shootout between two high-scoring offenses. And, as the league continues to make a concerted effort to increase scoring, records will continue to be broken.
Including pre-merger contests, there have been six 100-point games in NFL history. Let’s break down the highest-scoring games in NFL history, from a post-merger battle between Washington and New York to the Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs.
Top 5 Highest-Scoring Games in NFL History
1. Washington vs. New York Giants, 113 Combined Points
The highest-scoring game in NFL history actually came in the first post-merger season in 1966. The game was played in Week 12 of that campaign between Washington and the New York Giants.
Entering the contest, Washington was 6-5 while the Giants were 1-8-1. A total of 113 points were scored as Washington came away with a 72-41 victory over their NFC East rivals.
There were 16 touchdowns in the contest, with just a single field goal by either team. Included in those 16 touchdowns were a fumble return, an interception return, and a punt return (all by Washington).
Offensively, Washington’s Sonny Jurgensen threw three passing touchdowns, two to Charley Taylor. A.D. Whitfield added two touchdowns on the ground and caught the third passing touchdown from Jurgensen. The Giants also threw for three touchdowns, with two from Gary Wood and one from Tom Kennedy.
2. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns, 106 Combined Points
In an NFC North divisional game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, the Bengals won 58-48. The Bengals clinched the win with a 31-yard interception return from Deltha O’Neal.
The game saw Browns QB Kelly Holcomb throw for 413 yards with five touchdowns. Antonio Bryant had 131 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Steve Heiden had three touchdowns on seven receptions.
For the Bengals, Carson Palmer threw four touchdowns, including two to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Additionally, running back Rudi Johnson had two touchdowns and 202 yards on 26 carries.
3. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams, 105 Combined Points
The most recent game to see over 100 points scored was between the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. A total of 105 points were scored, and the Rams won thanks to a 40-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to tight end Gerald Everett. Goff threw four touchdowns and rushed for another.
Nov 19, 2018: Rams 54, Chiefs 51
Patrick Mahomes: 33/46, 478 passing yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
Jared Goff: 31/49, 413 passing yards, 4 TD
Rams went to 10-1. Chiefs dropped to 9-2.
Mahomes and Goff haven’t met since. Until tonight. pic.twitter.com/P4GV5W42pP
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) September 7, 2023
Simultaneously, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes threw a total of six touchdowns. However, he did have a fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown by the Rams, which proved to be costly.
4. San Francisco 49ers vs. Brooklyn Dodgers, 103 Combined Points
This was the first-ever 100-point game in league history, as it occurred prior to the NFL/AFL merger in 1948.
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 63-40. In that game, 49ers quarterback Frankie Albert threw four touchdowns and rushed for a score.
Dodgers QB Bob Chappuis, meanwhile, threw for three touchdowns.
5T. New Orleans Saints vs. New York Giants, 101 Combined Points
In 2015, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Giants 52-49. Eli Manning threw six touchdowns, including three to Odell Beckham Jr.
Meanwhile, Drew Brees threw seven touchdowns as the Saints secured a last-second victory thanks to a 50-yard field goal from Kai Forbath.
5T. Oakland Raiders vs. Houston Oilers, 101 Combined Points
This was a 52-49 contest between the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers. After the two teams traded punches all game, the Raiders scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win. Mike Mercer kicked the game-winning field goal with the score tied 49-49, taking the game over 100 total points.
Oakland QB Tom Flores threw six touchdowns, including four to Art Powell, who also had 247 receiving yards. For Houston, George Blanda threw five touchdowns, including two to Willard Dewveall.