NFL Sees Historic Scoring Barrage in Week 1
A Super Bowl-era record for combined points was tied in the opening week, raising questions about whether offensive trends or defensive struggles are to blame.
The opening week of the NFL season witnessed an offensive explosion, with teams tying a Super Bowl-era record set in 2012 by scoring a combined 791 points. This surge averaged 49.4 points per game across all contests.
The league's defenses appeared to struggle, a trend that some analysts suggest may stem from a strategic shift initiated by Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Fangio's approach of employing a matchup zone with two safeties deep aimed to prevent big plays, but it may have inadvertently opened up other avenues for offensive success.
This scoring spree continued into Week 2, with the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions game alone accounting for 72 total points. The high-scoring nature of these early games has prompted discussion about whether this is a temporary anomaly or a lasting change in offensive output and defensive effectiveness.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams runs to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. AP Photo/Erik Verduzco