The Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders erupted for 52 first-half points in their Divisional Round clash on Saturday afternoon.
This begs the question: what are the highest-scoring playoff games in NFL history? Let’s examine the top postseason shootouts of all time.
Top 5 Highest-Scoring Playoff Contests in League History
On two different occasions, a postseason game has surpassed a combined 90 points. Let’s break down each game and why they became high-scoring affairs.
Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams, 1999 Season
Combined Points: 86
Final Score: 49-37 Rams
“The Greatest Show on Turf” gave fans an offensive treat in their opening run to the Super Bowl on Jan. 16, 2000. Kurt Warner hit Isaac Bruce on a 77-yard touchdown connection to set the tone. In fact, the first three touchdowns from both sides surpassed 21 yards.
Warner finished with 391 passing yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Marshall Fault chipped in a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown while totaling 101 yards.
The Minnesota Vikings managed to rally late from a 49-17 deficit before the St. Louis Rams won by 12. Jeff George threw for 423 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. Randy Moss caught nine passes for 188 yards and two scores, while Cris Carter totaled seven receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers, 2017 Season
Combined points: 87
Final score: 45-42 Jaguars
In this Divisional Round showdown, Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette carried the offense, rushing 25 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Blake Bortles completed just 14 passes for 214 yards and one touchdown, so it’s a miracle that the Jaguars put up 45 points and won.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger completed 37 of 58 passes for 469 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Antonio Brown caught seven passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Le’Veon Bell contributed a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown while totaling 155 yards. Jacksonville ultimately lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for the AFC title.
Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts, 2013 Season
Combined points: 89
Final score: 45-44 Colts
Long before Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Andy Reid-led Kansas City Chiefs were lighting up the scoreboard together, the Chiefs had a prolific offense for this playoff contest at Lucas Oil Stadium.
But unfortunately for Kansas City, Andrew Luck and Co. overcame an astonishing 38-10 deficit to pull off the miracle comeback on January 4, 2014.
Luck and Alex Smith combined for eight touchdown passes. Luck’s 64-yard strike to T.Y. Hilton lifted Indy to its first lead with less than 4:30 remaining and eventually gave the Colts the comeback win.
Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles, 1995 Season
Combined points: 95
Final score: 58-37 Eagles
At first, this December 30, 1995 game appeared to be a defensive battle, as both teams were tied at seven heading to the second quarter. Philly, however, erupted with an astonishing 31 points scored before halftime.
Fred Barnett, Barry Wilburn, Rob Carpenter, and Ricky Watters all crossed the goal line before the half — and Watters scored twice in the game on a one-yard run and 45-yard pass from Rodney Peete. Don Majkowski ended up leading a slight Detroit Lions rally by tossing three late touchdown passes.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Season
Combined points: 96
Final Score: 51-45 Cardinals
Warner and Aaron Rodgers helped make this the highest-scoring playoff game ever on January 10, 2010. The two legendary QBs combined for 802 passing yards and an astonishing nine touchdown passes.
However, this game ultimately ended via a defensive play — Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby recovered a Rodgers fumble and returned it for a 17-yard touchdown to end the game in overtime at Glendale, AZ.
