The NFL narrowly missed setting a record for the highest Week 1 scoring average since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger during the 2026 season. The record remained out of reach following a Monday Night Football matchup at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 31-10, according to Bleacher Report.
The Race for the Scoring Record
Entering the final game of the opening weekend, NFL teams had scored 750 points, resulting in an average of 50.0 points per game. As reported by Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic, the league needed a combined 42 points from the Broncos and Chiefs to surpass the 2012 Week 1 record of 49.4 points per game, which saw a total of 791 points. The two teams combined for 41 points, falling just one point short of the historic mark.
The 2026 opening week was characterized by an offensive onslaught. Eleven of the 30 teams that played scored at least 30 points, and half of the league’s teams scored 25 or more. Additionally, four games featured both competing teams scoring 25 or more points.
Chicago Bears Set Single-Game Record
The most prolific offense of the week belonged to Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears, who defeated the Carolina Panthers 59-37. According to Yahoo Sports, this contest stands as the highest-scoring Week 1 game in NFL history and ties for the 12th-highest scoring game of all time.
The Bears accumulated 552 total yards of offense, while the Panthers recorded 478 yards. Chicago’s attack was led by Caleb Williams, who posted a 124.1 rating with 334 total yards and four overall touchdowns. Other key contributors for the Bears included:
- D’Andre Swift: 18 carries for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
- Kyle Monangai: 10 carries for 100 yards and a 61-yard touchdown.
- Jalen Coker: 8 receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Other Week 1 Highlights
The Detroit Lions secured a 1-0 start after surviving an “epic collapse” to defeat the New Orleans Saints in overtime, as detailed by NFL.com. Detroit had held a 21-0 lead in the third quarter before New Orleans forced overtime. Jahmyr Gibbs was a central figure in the win, recording a career-high 29 carries for 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns, as well as five catches for 30 yards. With those two scores, Gibbs became the fifth player in NFL history to record 50-plus touchdowns in their first 50 career games.
For the Saints, second-year quarterback Tyler Shough overcame a difficult start to finish with 410 yards on 35-of-56 passing, adding three touchdowns and two interceptions. Despite the loss, Shough led scoring drives on five of the team’s final six possessions.
Chiefs vs. Broncos Matchup Context
The Monday night game featured Patrick Mahomes returning to action for the Chiefs alongside Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. The Broncos entered the game as the defending AFC West champions, though their previous momentum had been hindered by an ankle injury to quarterback Bo Nix. Despite the Broncos’ elite defense and a receiving core featuring Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton, Kansas City’s 31-10 victory ultimately prevented the league from achieving its Week 1 scoring record.
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