NFL Gets Explosive Sunday of Scoring After Sluggish Start

The first Sunday of the NFL season saw an explosive display of scoring, a stark contrast to the more sluggish offensive play observed in the league's earlier games. A total of 645 points were scored across 12 games held in the 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET slots, equating to 53.75 points per game. The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys contributed 48 points to this tally.

The season's total points scored in Week 1 now stands at 750, topping the previous record of 791 set in 2012. Monday's Kansas City matchup will conclude the Week 1 slate. Contrary to preseason trends, where starting quarterbacks might see limited action, NFL defenses may be pleasantly surprised by the offensive prowess displayed early in the regular season.

Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, now an NFL analyst for NBC, believes the shift away from physical practices has benefited offenses. Defenses, he notes, are now spending less time on fundamentals like blocking and tackling. NFL leaders favor high-scoring games, as they reportedly boost fan engagement and viewership.

The Bears led the scoring parade with a 59-37 victory over the Panthers in Charlotte, setting an NFL record for points scored in a Week 1 game. The Bears also set a new record for most points scored by a single team in a season-opening match, surpassing the 1973 Falcons' record. Bears coach Ben Johnson, who previously coached offensive coordinator for the Lions, praised quarterback Caleb Williams' performance, highlighting his precision during the game.

Not every team's play was flawless, however. The Ravens, Bengals, Lions, Saints, Bills, Texans, Jaguars, and Vikings each scored 30 or more points. The Vikings even managed 39 points despite their star quarterback, Kyler Murray, leaving the game with a concussion after an illegal hit. The Bears, Ravens, and Panthers, among other teams, scored 30 or more points without winning, tying the third-highest count for Week 1 in NFL history.