As of the beginning of the 2017 season, what was the highest point total ever in a NFL game?

In an offensive free-for-all, the Washington Redskins defeated the New York Giants on November 27, 1966, by a score of 72 – 41. Through 2017, the 113 points scored in that contest was the highest total ever recorded in the National Football League.

Together, the two teams scored nine touchdowns of at least 30 yards each. These are long gains on a playing field that is 100 yards long. Redskins Defensive Back Brig Owens scored two 62-yard TD's, one after a fumble and the other after an interception.

Washington scored 10 TD's to New York's six. Behind by a score of 69-41, Giants Quarterback Tom Kennedy made a mistake that set up the only field goal of the game. With seven seconds left on the clock, he threw the ball out of bounds.

In US football, the offensive team has four chances ("downs") to gain 10 yards or, if within the opposition's 10-yard-line, score points. Failing to do one or the other gives the ball to the other team's offense.

Kennedy thought it was third down when he threw the ball away. Washington got the ball at the New York 23-yard-line. That close to the end zone, a pro kicker is expected to make an automatic three points by field goal. Charlie Gogolak succeeded. The final gun sounded.

Three other US pro football games resulted in 100+ total points: Cincinnati Bengals 58, Cleveland Browns, 48, on November 28, 2004; Oakland Raiders 52, Houston Oilers, 49, on December 22, 1963; New Orleans Saints 52, Giants 49, on November 1, 2015.