What Are The Highest Scoring Games in NFL History?

Kai Forbath’s game-winning field goal ended one of the NFL’s highest-scoring games. (Getty)

Week 8 was one of those weeks that was great for NFL Redzone. Close games, injuries with fantasy implications, and dramatic finishes. Nothing was more exciting than Giants-Saints, which finished with 101 total points. The Saints won 52-49 on a late Kai Forbath field goal, as Drew Brees tied an NFL record with seven TD passes.

In honor of Sunday’s shootout, let’s take a quick look at some of the NFL’s highest-scoring affairs.

Redskins 72, Giants 41 (1966)

The NFL’s highest scoring game also involves the Giants, in an NFC East shootout for the ages. At no point did the Giants lead in this game, even though they outgained the Redskins in total yards 389-341. The Giants finished 1-12-1 that season, and gave up an average of 35.8 points per game.

Raiders 52, Oilers 49 (1963)

An Oakland field goal broke a 49-49 tie with just over four minutes remaining, giving the Raiders the win in their final game of the season. George Blanda threw for 342 yards and five TDs, but the Oilers were shut out in the fourth quarter. It was the Raiders’ eighth consecutive victory, bringing their total on the season to 10-4

Saints 52, Giants 49 (2015)

“The Duel in the Dome” was the highlight of Week 8, as the Saints and Giants combined for over 1,000 total net yards. Neither team scored a rushing touchdowns, and Brees and Manning set the NFL record with a combined 13 passing touchdowns. In the end, a late facemask penalty on the Giants punter put the Saints within field goal range with five seconds left. Kai Forbath booted a 50-yarded as time expired, ending the Giants rally and giving New Orleans the win.

Seahawks 51, Chiefs 48 (OT)(1983)

The Seahawks rallied back from a 14-point halftime deficit to beat the Chiefs in the Kingdome. Down 28-14 at the break, Seahawks QB Dave Krieg brought his team back, throwing for 280 yards and three scores. Norm Johnson kicked a late field goal to force the game into overtime, and hit another to send the Chiefs home packing.

Broncos 51, Cowboys 48 (2013)

Before Sunday, the most recent high-scoring affair was in 2013, when Romo and the Cowboys met the Broncos, who were in their first season with Peyton Manning under center. Manning and Romo combined for 920 passing yards in this Week 5 matchup, and the two totaled nine touchdowns. Dallas jumped out to a 17-7 lead, but the Broncos exploded to a 28-17 lead before halftime. Romo and the Cowboys battled back late, and led in the fourth quarter 48-41. But Manning and the Broncos offense was relentless, and scored the game’s final ten points for the 51-48 win.