The gridiron has long offered sport’s finest athletes as a platform to show off their artistry.
On a precious few occasions, that display of elegance results in points piling up in bunches. Defensive battles are nice, but shootouts twinkle in onlookers’ eyes long after the final whistle is blown.
With that, here’s a look at the highest-scoring games in league history .
What is the highest-scoring NFL game?
The record for most combined points in a single NFL game since the (AFL-NFL merger) belongs to the Giants and Washington, who combined for 113 points when they faced off on Nov. 27, 1966. Washington walked out big victors, claiming a 72-41 win over its NFC East foe.
The contest — which saw Washington amass more than 200 yards and four touchdowns on the ground as well as both a fumble recovery for touchdown and pick-six — is one of four games that saw both teams combine for more than 100 points.
What is the highest-scoring NFL ‘Sunday Night Football’ game?
The record for most points scored in a ‘Sunday Night Football’ is 83. That mark has been hit twice: in 2009, when the Eagles bested the Giants, 45-38 and in 2018, when the Patriots downed the Chiefs, 43-40.
Both matchups were marked by prolific passing displays; the four signal-callers involved in the two contests combined for nearly 1,400 passing yards between them.
All told, five “Sunday Night Football” games have eclipsed the 80-point tally. All would be termed as shootouts by the classical decision — no side involved in those five matches scored fewer than 35 points.
Combined Score
Winning Team (Score)
Losing Team (Score)
Date
Season
83
Philadelphia Eagles (45)
New York Giants (38)
Dec. 12, 2009
2009
83
New England Patriots (43)
Kansas City Chiefs (40)
Oct. 14, 2018
2018
81
Buffalo Bills (41)
Baltimore Ravens (40)
Sept. 7, 2025
2025
80
Dallas Cowboys (45)
New York Giants (35)
Sept. 9, 2007
2007
80
Dallas Cowboys (40)
Green Bay Packers (40)
Sept. 28, 2025
2025
78
Los Angeles Chargers (41)
Pittsburgh Steelers (37)
Nov. 11, 2021
2021
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What is the highest-scoring ‘Sunday Night Football’ game?
The highest-scoring “Sunday Night Football” games took place in 2009 and 2018. On Dec. 12, 2009, the Eagles bested the Giants, 45-38, a matchup that saw Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning light up the night sky at the Meadowlands.
Nine years later, on Oct. 14, 2018, the Patriots and Chiefs matched their mark, with New England — led by Tom Brady – besting Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City, 43-40.