The following is a list of the teams that scored the most points in one half of a game in NFL history. While all these teams scored a very high amount of points in a half, the record for most points scored in one quarter by a team in a NFL game is not much lower.
As one might expect, every team on this list won the game in which they scored a record amount of points in a half. Two of the teams on this list accomplished the feat in the same season, and against the same defense.
Most Points Scored in One Half by a NFL Team
T-1. 1941 Chicago Bears – 49 points
The 1941 Chicago Bears set the NFL record for most points scored in a half when they scored 49 points in the second half of a game vs the Philadelphia Eagles played on November 30, 1941. The Bears were actually held scoreless in the first half of the game, and trailed the Eagles by a score 14-0 at the half.
The Bears then went crazy, scoring 21 points in the third quarter and 28 points in the fourth quarter, to win the game 49-14. Hugh Gallarneau of the Bears scored three of the Bears seven touchdowns, with a 13 yard rushing score, a 46 yard interception return, and a 54 yard TD catch.
Bob Swisher of the Bears scored twice, with a 12 yard TD catch, and a 60 yard interception return. The other two touchdowns were TD catches by Ken Kavanaugh (24 yards) and John Siegal (59 yards). The 1941 Chicago Bears went 10-1 during the regular season, and went on to beat the New York Giants, 37-9, in the NFL Championship Game.
T-1. 1983 Green Bay Bay Packers – 49
The 1983 Green Bay Packers tied the NFL record for most points scored in one half of a game when they scored 49 points in the first half of a game vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers played on October 2, 1983 at Lambeau Field. The Packers scored 14 points in the first quarter, and then had 35 points in the second quarter to tie the record.
Three of the Packers seven touchdowns in the first half were defensive scores, as Hugh Green (21 yards) and John Anderson (27 yards) had interception returns, and Mike Douglass had a 35 yard fumble return. Phil Epps opened the scoring with a 90 yard punt return, and the Packers other two first half scores were TD catches by Paul Coffman (one yard) and James Lofton (57 yards).
The Packers won the game, 55-14. Despite tying the record for most points scored in a half, the 1982 Green Packers only went 8-8 that season.
T-3. 1950 Chicago Cardinals – 48 points
The 1950 Chicago Cardinals scored 48 points in the second half of a game vs the Baltimore Colts played on October 2, 1950. The Cardinals won the game, 55-13.
T-3. 1950 New York Giants – 48 points
The 1950 New York Giants scored 48 points in the second half of a game vs the Baltimore Colts played on November 19, 1950. The Giants won the game, 55-20.
The 1950 Baltimore Colts were a terrible team. In addition to giving up 48 points in a half to two different teams, the Colts also gave up 70 points in a game vs the Los Angeles Rams that year. That is the third most points ever scored by one team in a game in NFL history.
T-3. 1966 Buffalo Bills – 48 points
The 1966 Buffalo Bill of the AFL scored 48 points in the second half of a game vs the Miami Dolphins played on September 18, 1966. The Bills won the game, 58-24.
