On Sunday (September 24), the Miami Dolphins improved to 3-0 on the season with a whopping 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos. The massive victory marked just the fourth time in NFL history that a team scored at least 70 points in a game and just the 20th time an NFL team scored at least 62 points.
The Dolphins’ offense was nearly unstoppable. They scored a touchdown on 5 of their 6 possessions in the first half (they had a turnover on downs with 5 minutes left in the second quarter) and 5 of their 7 possessions in the second half (they punted the ball and had a turnover on downs in the fourth quarter).
They ended the game with 726 yards of total offense (376 yards passing and 350 yards rushing), which is the most total yards by a team in NFL history. They also had 30 first downs, 0 turnovers, were 6 for 6 in the red zone, and averaged 10.2 yards per play (71 plays, 14 drives). The Broncos didn’t stand a chance.
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Which Teams Scored the Most Points in a Game in NFL History?
It’s not every day we get to witness an offensive clinic like the one the Miami Dolphins executed on Sunday. The Dolphins are just the fourth team in NFL history to eclipse the 70-point mark and they even had an opportunity to tie the all-time record – they were just three points shy of the record set in 1940.
That opportunity came in the fourth quarter with less than a minute left in the game. The Dolphins were staring at a 4th and 14 on the Broncos’ 27-yard line with the clock ticking down. Instead of kicking a 45-yard field goal to bring their total to 73 points, they elected to kneel it – forcing a turnover on downs.
“It felt like chasing points and chasing a record — that’s not what we came to the game to do,” head coach Mike McDaniel said when asked why he didn’t go for the record. It was the humble thing to do, but let’s be honest – we all wanted to see them break the regular season record and tie the all-time record.
With that said, let’s take a look back at all the times an NFL team scored at least 62 points in a regular season or playoff game – believe it or not, it has only happened 20 times!
20. Akron Pros defeat Oorang Indians 62-0 (October 29, 1922)
On October 29, 1922, the Akron Pros (coached by Untz Brewer) defeated the Oorang Indians (coached by Jim Thorpe) 62-0 at Erik’s Field – improving their record to 2-1-1. They scored 20 points in the first quarter, 7 points in the second quarter, 14 points in the third quarter, and 21 points in the fourth quarter.
Carl Cramer ran for two touchdowns, Red Daum had a 45-yard TD catch, Joe Mills had a 5-yard rushing touchdown, Walt LeJeune ran for two touchdowns, and Rip King finished with two rushing touchdowns, a passing touchdown, and a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown – he was doing it all out there.
19. Los Angeles Dons defeat Buffalo Bisons 62-14 (December 1, 1946)
On December 1, 1946, the Los Angeles Dons (coached by Dudley DeGroot) defeated the Buffalo Bisons (coached by Red Dawson) 62-14 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – improving their record to 7-4-1. They scored 14 points in the first quarter, 14 in the second, 14 in the third, and 20 in the fourth.
The Dons had 607 yards of total offense. Angelo Bertelli had two passing touchdowns and one rushing TD, Charlie O’Rourke had three passing TDs, John Kimbrough had 2 rushing TDs and one receiving TD, Dale Gentry had two receiving TDs, and Harry Clarke and John Polanski each had a receiving TD.
18. Cleveland Browns defeat New York Giants 62-14 (December 6, 1953)
On December 6, 1953, the Cleveland Browns (coached by Paul Brown) defeated the New York Giants (coached by Steve Owen) at Cleveland Municipal Stadium – improving their record to 11-0. They scored 10 points in the first quarter, 21 points in the second, 24 points in the third, and 7 points in the fourth.
The Browns had 495 yards of total offense (5 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs). George Ratterman had three passing TDs, while Ray Renfro had a passing TD, rushing TD, and receiving TD – completing the trifecta. Ken Carpenter had two total touchdowns and Pete Brewster had 3 receiving TDs in the win.
17. Cleveland Browns defeat Washington Redskins 62-3 (November 7, 1954)
On November 7, 1954, the Cleveland Browns (coached by Paul Brown) beat the Washington Redskins (coached by Joe Kuharich) at Cleveland Municipal Stadium – improving their record to 4-2. They scored 13 points in the first quarter, 14 points in the second, 21 points in the third, and 14 points in the fourth.
The Browns had 515 yards of offense, four passing TDs, and one rushing TD. George Ratterman had three passing TDs and Otto Graham had the fourth – he also had a rushing TD. Pete Brewster had two receiving TDs, while Dub Jones, Fred Morrison, Maurice Bassett, and Dante Lavelli each had a TD.
16. New York Giants defeat Philadelphia Eagles 62-10 (November 26, 1972)
On November 26, 1972, the New York Giants (coached by Alex Webster) defeated the Philadelphia Eagles (coached by Ed Khayat) 62-10 at Yankee Stadium. They scored 14 points in the first quarter, 24 points in the second quarter, 10 points in the third quarter, and 14 points in the fourth and final quarter.
The Giants had 503 total yards of offense, five passing TDs (Norm Snead had three; Randy Johnson had two), and three rushing TDs (Randy Johnson had one; Ron Johnson had two). Bob Tucker and Don Herrmann each had two receiving TDs, and Joe Orduna had the other. Philly didn’t stand a chance.
15. Atlanta Falcons defeat New Orleans Saints 62-7 (September 16, 1973)
On September 16, 1973, the Atlanta Falcons (coached by Norm Van Brocklin) beat the New Orleans Saints (coached by John North) 62-7 at Tulane Stadium – improving their record to 1-0. They scored zero points in the first quarter, 24 points in the second, 21 points in the third, and 17 points in the fourth.
The Falcons had 496 yards of total offense, four passing TDs (Dick Shiner had three, Bob Lee had one), and three rushing TDs (Art Malone, Eddie Ray, and Joe Profit each had one). Ray also had a receiving TD, while Ken Burrow finished with two receiving TDs and Wes Chesson had one receiving TD.
14. New York Jets defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 62-28 (November 17, 1985)
On November 17, 1985, the New York Jets (coached by Joe Walton) beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (coached by Leeman Bennett) 62-28 at Giants Stadium – improving their record to 8-3. They scored 17 points in the first quarter, 24 points in the second, 14 points in the third, and 7 points in the fourth.
The Jets had 581 total yards of offense, five passing TDs (all by Ken Brian), and three rushing TDs (Johnny Hector had two and Tony Paige had one). Mickey Shuler had three receiving touchdowns, while Al Toon and Wesley Walker each had a receiving TD of their own. Pat Leahy had two field goals.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Miami Dolphins 62-7 (January 15, 2000)
On January 15, 2000, the Jacksonville Jaguars (coached by Tom Coughlin) defeated the Miami Dolphins (coached by Jimmy Johnson) 62-7 at Alltel Stadium – improving their record to 15-2. They scored 24 points in the first quarter, 17 points in the second, 14 points in the third, and 7 points in the fourth quarter.
The Jaguars had 520 yards of total offense, four passing TDs (Jay Felder and Mark Brunell each had two), and three rushing TDs (Fred Taylor, James Stewart, and Chris Howard each had one). Jimmy Smith had two receiving TDs, while Alvis Whitted and F. Taylor each had one receiving TD. Tony Brackens had a 16-yard interception return TD.
12. New Orleans Saints defeat Indianapolis Colts 62-7 (October 23, 2011)
On October 23, 2011, the New Orleans Saints (coached by Sean Payton) defeated the Indianapolis Colts (coached by Jim Caldwell) 62-7 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome – improving their record to 5-2. They scored 21 points in the first quarter, 13 points in the second, 14 points in the third, and 14 points in the fourth.
The Saints had 557 yards of total offense, five passing TDs (all by Drew Brees), and two rushing TDs (Darren Sproles and Jed Collins each had one). Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham each had two receiving TDs, while Sproles had one receiving TD. Leigh Torrence had a 42-yard interception return TD.
11. Chicago Cardinals defeat New York Giants 63-35 (October 17, 1948)
On October 17, 1948, the Chicago Cardinals (coached by Jimmy Conzelman) defeated the New York Giants (coached by Steve Owen) 63-35 at the Polo Grounds – improving their record to 3-1. They scored 14 points in the first quarter, 28 points in the second, 7 points in the third, and 14 points in the fourth.
The Cardinals had 579 yards of offense, five passing TDs (Ray Mallouf had four, Charley Eikenberg had one), and three rushing TDs (Pat Harder, Elmer Angsman, and Babe Dimancheff each had one). Mal Kutner had three receiving TDs, while Billy Dewell and Charley Trippi had two receiving TDs. Jerry Davis had a 70-yard punt return TD.
10. San Francisco 49ers defeat Brooklyn Dodgers 63-40 (November 21, 1948)
On November 21, 1948, the San Francisco 49ers (coached by Buck Shaw) defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers (coached by Carl Voyles) 63-40 at Ebbets Field – improving their record to 11-1. They scored 14 points in the first quarter, 14 points in the second, 21 points in the third, and 14 points in the fourth.
The 49ers had 547 yards of total offense, four passing TDs (all by Frankie Albert), and four rushing TDs (Albert had two, Forrest Hall had one, and Norm Standlee had one). Alvyn Beals had three receiving TDs, while Johnny Strzykalski had one receiving TD. Joe Perry had an 87-yard kickoff return TD.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers defeat New York Giants 63-7 (November 30, 1952)
On November 30, 1952, the Pittsburgh Steelers (coached by Joe Bach) defeated the New York Giants (coached by Steve Owen) 63-7 at Forbes Field – improving their record to 4-6. They scored 14 points in the first quarter, 14 points in the second, 7 points in the third, and 28 points in the fourth and final quarter.
The Steelers had 415 yards of total offense, five passing TDs (Jim Finks had four and Gary Kerkorian had one), and two rushing TDs (Ed Modzelewski and Lynn Chandnois each had one). Dick Hensley had two receiving TDs, while Ray Matthews, Elbie Nickel, and Jack Butler each had one receiving TD. Chandnois had a 91-yard kickoff return TD, while George Hays had a blocked punt return for TD.
8. Philadelphia Eagles defeat Cincinnati Reds 64-0 (November 6, 1934)
On November 6, 1934, the Philadelphia Eagles (coached by Lud Wray) defeated the Cincinnati Reds (coached by Algy Clark) 64-0 at Temple Stadium – improving their record to 2-5. They scored 26 points in the first quarter, 6 points in the second, 12 points in the third, and 20 points in the fourth quarter.
Ed Matesic had two passing TDs, one receiving TD, and a 44-yard interception return for a TD, Reds Weiner had two passing TDs, Swede Ellstrom had one passing TD and one rushing TD, Swede Hanson had two rushing TDs, Red Kirkman had one receiving TD, and Ed Storm had one rushing TD.
7. Chicago Cardinals defeat New York Bulldogs 65-20 (November 13, 1949)
On November 13, 1949, the Chicago Cardinals (coached by Buddy Parker) defeated the New York Bulldogs (coached by Charley Ewart) 65-20 at the Polo Grounds – improving their record to 4-4. They had 7 points in the first quarter, 31 points in the second, 14 points in the third, and 13 points in the fourth.
The Cardinals had 572 yards of total offense, six passing TDs (Paul Christman and Jim Hardy each had three), and three rushing TDs (Pat Harder had two and Red Cochran had one). Cochran, Vic Schwall, Charley Trippi, Mal Kutner, Bob Ravensberg, and Billy Dewell each had one receiving TD in the win.
6. Los Angeles Rams defeat Detroit Lions 65-24 (October 29, 1950)
On October 29, 1950, the Los Angeles Rams (coached by Joe Stydahar) defeated the Detroit Lions (coached by Bo McMillin) 65-24 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – improving their record to 5-2. They scored 7 points in the first quarter, 17 points in the second, and a whopping 41 points in the fourth.
The Rams had 494 yards of total offense, six passing TDs (Norm Van Brocklin had five and Bob Waterfield had one), and two rushing TDs (Norm Van Brocklin and Dan Towler each had one). Tom Fears had two receiving TDs, while Glenn Davis, Vitamin Smith, Elroy Hirsch, and Bob Boyd each had one receiving TD. Smith also had a 93-yard kickoff return TD.
5. Cleveland Browns defeat Brooklyn Dodgers 66-14 (December 8, 1946)
On December 8, 1946, the Cleveland Browns (coached by Paul Brown) defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers (coached by Cliff Battles) 66-14 at Ebbets Field – improving their record to 12-2. They scored 14 points in the first quarter, 14 points in the second, 17 points in the third, and 21 points in the fourth quarter.
The Browns had 450 yards of total offense, five passing TDs (Bud Schwenk had three and Otto Graham had two), and two rushing TDs (Marion Motley and Gaylon Smith each had one). Tom Colella, Bill Lund, Dante Lavelli, Mac Speedie, and John Yonakor each had one receiving TD, Edgar Jones had a kickoff return TD, and Chet Adams had an interception return TD.
4. Los Angeles Rams defeat Baltimore Colts 70-27 (October 22, 1950)
On October 22, 1950, the Los Angeles Rams (coached by Joe Stydahar) defeated the Baltimore Colts (coached by Clem Crowe) 70-27 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – improving their record to 4-2. They scored 21 points in the first, 14 points in the second, 14 points in the third, and 21 points in the fourth.
The Rams had 547 yards of total offense, five passing TDs (Norm Van Brocklin and Bob Waterfield each had two, while Glenn Davis had one), and four rushing TDs (Waterfield, Dick Hoerner, Dan Towler, and Ralph Pasquariello each had one). Vitamin Smith had a kickoff return TD and a receiving TD.
3. Miami Dolphins defeat Denver Broncos 70-20 (September 24, 2023)
On September 24, 2023, the Miami Dolphins (coached by Mike McDaniel) defeated the Denver Broncos (coached by Sean Payton) 70-20 at Hard Rock Stadium – improving their record to 3-0. They scored 14 points in the first quarter, 21 points in the second, 14 points in the third, and 21 points in the fourth.
The Dolphins had 726 yards of total offense, five passing TDs (Tua Tagovailoa had four and Mike White had one), and five rushing TDs (Raheem Mostert had three and De’Von Achan had two). Achan also had two receiving TDs, while Mostert, Tyreek Hill, and Robbie Chosen each had one receiving TD.
2. Washington Redskins defeat New York Giants 72-41 (November 27, 1966)
On November 27, 1966, the Washington Redskins (coached by Otto Graham) defeated the New York Giants (coached by Allie Sherman) 72-41 at the District of Columbia Stadium – improving their record to 6-6. They had 13 points in the first, 21 points in the second, 14 points in the third, and 24 points in the fourth.
The Redskins had 341 yards of total offense, three passing TDs (all by Sonny Jurgensen), and four rushing TDs (A.D. Whitfield had two, while Bobby Mitchell and Joe Don Looney each had one). Charley Taylor had two receiving TDs, Whitfield had one receiving TD, Brig Owens had a fumble return TD and interception return TD, and Rickie Harris had a punt return TD.
1. Chicago Bears defeat Washington Redskins 73-0 (December 8, 1940)
On December 8, 1940, the Chicago Bears (coached by George Halas) defeated the Washington Redskins (coached by Ray Flaherty) 73-0 at Griffith Stadium for the NFL Championship. They scored 21 points in the first quarter, 7 points in the second, 26 points in the third, and 19 points in the fourth quarter.
The Bears had 519 yards of total offense, one passing TD (Sid Luckman), and seven rushing TDs (Harry Clarke had two, while Luckman, Bill Osmanski, Ray Nolting, Joe Maniaci, and Gary Famiglietti each had one). Ken Kavanaugh had one receiving TD, while Hampton Pool and Bulldog Turner each had an interception return TD.
Miami Dolphins Had the Most Yards in a Game in NFL History
Aside from being the fourth team in NFL history to score at least 70 points in a game, the Miami Dolphins set a new NFL record with 726 yards of total offense in their 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos on Sept. 24. The only other team to have more than 700 yards was the Los Angeles Rams in 1951 (722 yards).
They also set a record with 10.23 yards per play – the most by a team with at least 60 plays (they ran 71 vs. Denver). It’s the third-highest average in NFL history with the New York Jets averaging 10.61 yards per play (54 plays) in 1972 and the Kansas City Chiefs averaging 10.30 yards per play (46 plays) in 2017.
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It’s always exciting when NFL history is made and the Dolphins did so in several capacities on Sunday. They’ll have a tougher outing in Week 4 when they travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills in an environment that won’t allow for another record day, but this is the NFL and you never know what might happen next!
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