In 1984, the Miami Dolphins scored 32.1 points per game, while covering 433.5 yards per game. The legendary quarterback, Dan Marino completed 64.2% of his passes for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns to go along with 17 interceptions. The 48 TDs stood as the NFL record until Peyton Manning posted 49 in 2004. But it wasn’t just Marino. The Dolphins enjoyed 1,306 receiving yards and eight TDs from wideout Mark Duper, 1,389 yards and 18 TDs from receiver Mark Clayton, and a great all-around campaign from running back Tony Nathan, who posted 558 rushing yards and 579 receiving yards.
Washington's offense doesn’t get nearly enough love. Perhaps that’s because 1983 Washington, like the 1984 Dolphins, wound up losing in the Super Bowl. Regardless, the offense was incredible. They scored 33.8 points per game while covering 383.7 yards. Joe Theismann threw for 3,714 yards, good for fifth-most in the NFL, with his 29 touchdown passes ranking second. Running back John Riggins led the league with 24 rushing touchdowns and wideout Charlie Brown posted 1,225 receiving yards and eight TDs. This still ranks as the eighth-highest-scoring offense in NFL history.
The 2012 Patriots scored 34.8 points per game while covering 427.9 yards per contest. They scored the fifth most points in NFL history. Tom Brady was incredible, completing 62.7% of his passes for 34 TDs while throwing nine interceptions. Stevan Ridley ran for 1,263 yards and 12 TDs, while fellow running back Danny Woodhead added 40 catches for 446 yards in the passing game. Wes Welker still was at the top of his game, catching 118 balls for 1,354 yards. Still-young tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez posted 11 and five TDs, respectively.
The 2011 Saints’ 7,474 yards still rank as the most in NFL history. They had an average of 34.2 points per game while covering 467.1 yards (most of all-time). Drew Brees led the way, setting a then-NFL record with 5,476 passing yards. He also threw for 46 touchdowns while positing a 110.6 passer rating. However, a high-flying offense wasn’t enough to get the 2011 Saints past the NFC Divisional Round.
With Aaron Rodgers leading the way, the Packers enjoyed one of the best offensive seasons in NFL history. They scored 35.0 points per game on an average while covering 419.9 yards. Rodgers, who won the MVP, completed 68.3% of his passes for 4,643 yards and 45 TDs to go along with just six interceptions. The Packers ultimately lost in the Divisional Round to the New York Giants, who beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
The 1998 Vikings offense was one of the most explosive groups we’ve ever seen. Thy averaged 34.8 points per game and 347.8 yards. per game. Quarterback Randall Cunningham started 14 of 16 games, throwing for 3,704 yards and 34 TDs to go along with 10 picks. Then-rookie Randy Moss justified his pre-draft hype by catching 69 balls for 1,313 yards and a league-leading 17 touchdowns, and Cris Carter caught 78 balls for 1,011 yards and 12 TDs. They were an absurd duo. The 1998 Vikings lost to the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game.
The initial “Greatest Show on Turf” offense also was the best, even though the 2000 and 2001 Rams posted better numbers. The 1999 Rams revolutionized NFL offense, and they get extra points for winning the Super Bowl. On average, the Rams scored 32.9 points per game while covering 400.8 yards. Kurt Warner won the MVP. Marshall Faulk topped 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. Isaac Bruce caught 77 balls for 1,165 yards and 12 scores. Torry Holt and Az-Zahir Hakim combined for 14 TDs. From start to finish, the 1999 Rams offense was unstoppable.
The 2013 Broncos scored the most points (606) and had the second-most yards (7,317) in NFL history. They averaged scoring 37.9 points per game while covering 457.3 yards. Peyton Manning threw 55 touchdown passes, which still stands as the NFL record. But this offense, which got exposed in a 43-8 Super Bowl loss, also lacked star power. Demaryius Thomas had a great season (1,430 yards and 14 TDs), but nobody would confuse him for a Hall of Famer. Ditto for Eric Decker, who racked up 1,288 yards and 11 TDs. This is an admittedly subjective take, but the 2013 Broncos offense just didn’t feel or look as dangerous as its numbers. That’s probably unfair, but it’s not an unpopular opinion.
The 2018 Chiefs had 35.3 points per game while covering 425.6 yards and their offense surely deserves to be where it is on this list. Patrick Mahomes, who redshirted as a rookie, dominated the league in his first season as Kansas City’s starting quarterback. His numbers were jaw-dropping: 66% completion percentage, 5,097 yards, and 50 TD passes. And he had great weapons to work with. Tyreek Hill amassed 1,479 yards and 12 TDs, while Travis Kelce posted 1,336 yards and 10 scores. Running back Kareem Hunt enjoyed a solid all-around season, finishing with 824 rushing yards and seven TDs, along with 26 catches for 378 yards and seven scores. However, the Chiefs lost to the Patriots in the AFC title game.
New England’s offense completely overwhelmed opponents en route to a 16-0 regular season. They posted 36.8 points per game while covering 411.2 yards. Brady threw for 4,806 yards and a then-record 50 TDs before winning the MVP, and head coach Bill Belichick, perhaps fueled by the Spygate controversy, refused to call off the dogs as the Patriots ran up scores. This offense also gets the nod due to superior weapons. Moss caught a still-record 23 touchdowns, while Wes Welker redefined diminutive slot-receiver dominance while catching 112 balls for 1,175 yards. Donte Stallworth excelled as the No. 3 wideout, posting 697 yards and three scores, while tight end Ben Watson added six TDs. The Patriots also were solid on the ground. Laurence Maroney racked up 835 yards and six TDs, while Sammy Morris added 384 rushing yards, and Kevin Faulk had 383 receiving yards. And, like every offense on this list, the Patriots benefited from great O-line play.
