by Football is amazing because you never know what’s going to happen.
Sometimes games are super close, decided by just one point or one play. But other times? One team completely crushes the other team.
It’s like watching a superhero fight a regular person. The game becomes totally one-sided, and fans can’t believe what they’re seeing.
These games are called “blowouts,” and they make history. They’re the games people talk about for years and years.
Today, we’re going to explore the biggest blowouts in NFL history — games where one team simply couldn’t keep up with the other.
These aren’t just regular wins; these are total dominations.
Top 30 Biggest Blowouts in NFL History
Credit: Denver Post-Getty Images
Ready to see which teams made history with the most lopsided wins ever? Let’s dive in!
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Complete Rankings: Top 30 Biggest Blowouts in NFL History
Before we dive into the detailed stories, here’s the complete list of the 30 most dominant victories in NFL history:
| Rank | Winning Team | Losing Team | Score | Year | Point Difference | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Dolphins | Denver Broncos | 70-20 | 2023 | 50 | Regular Season |
| 2 | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints | 62-7 | 1973 | 55 | Regular Season |
| 3 | New Orleans Saints | Indianapolis Colts | 62-7 | 2011 | 55 | Regular Season |
| 4 | Chicago Bears | Green Bay Packers | 61-7 | 1980 | 54 | Regular Season |
| 5 | Cincinnati Bengals | Houston Oilers | 61-7 | 1989 | 54 | Regular Season |
| 6 | New England Patriots | Tennessee Titans | 59-0 | 2009 | 59 | Regular Season |
| 7 | Dallas Cowboys | Detroit Lions | 59-13 | 1968 | 46 | Regular Season |
| 8 | Los Angeles Rams | Atlanta Falcons | 59-0 | 1976 | 59 | Regular Season |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks | Arizona Cardinals | 58-0 | 2012 | 58 | Regular Season |
| 10 | Kansas City Chiefs | Atlanta Falcons | 56-10 | 2004 | 46 | Regular Season |
| 11 | New England Patriots | New York Jets | 56-3 | 1979 | 53 | Regular Season |
| 12 | Kansas City Chiefs | Denver Broncos | 56-10 | 1966 | 46 | AFL |
| 13 | Dallas Cowboys | Philadelphia Eagles | 56-7 | 1966 | 49 | Regular Season |
| 14 | Green Bay Packers | Atlanta Falcons | 56-3 | 1966 | 53 | Regular Season |
| 15 | New England Patriots | Buffalo Bills | 56-10 | 2007 | 46 | Regular Season |
| 16 | Green Bay Packers | Tennessee Titans | 55-7 | 2012 | 48 | Regular Season |
| 17 | Green Bay Packers | Cleveland Browns | 55-7 | 1967 | 48 | Regular Season |
| 18 | St. Louis Rams | Oakland Raiders | 52-0 | 2014 | 52 | Regular Season |
| 19 | Miami Dolphins | New England Patriots | 52-0 | 1972 | 52 | Regular Season |
| 20 | Oakland Raiders | Denver Broncos | 51-0 | 1967 | 51 | AFL |
| 21 | Minnesota Vikings | Cleveland Browns | 51-3 | 1969 | 48 | Regular Season |
| 22 | Cleveland Browns | Pittsburgh Steelers | 51-0 | 1989 | 51 | Regular Season |
| 23 | San Francisco 49ers | Los Angeles Rams | 48-0 | 1987 | 48 | Regular Season |
| 24 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Cleveland Browns | 48-0 | 2000 | 48 | Regular Season |
| 25 | New York Jets | St. Louis Rams | 47-0 | 2008 | 47 | Regular Season |
| 26 | Houston Oilers | Chicago Bears | 47-0 | 1977 | 47 | Regular Season |
| 27 | San Diego Chargers | Denver Broncos | 45-0 | 1963 | 45 | AFL |
| 28 | Pittsburgh Steelers | New York Giants | 63-7 | 1952 | 56 | Regular Season |
| 29 | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | 62-10 | 1972 | 52 | Regular Season |
| 30 | Philadelphia Eagles | Detroit Lions | 59-0 | 1934 | 59 | Regular Season |
Key Insights from the Table:
- The 2023 Dolphins hold the record for most points scored in a blowout (70)
- Shutouts (holding opponents to 0 points) are the most dominant, with 11 games on this list
- The 1960s-1970s saw many historic blowouts during the AFL-NFL merger era
- Division rivals make up nearly 40% of these games — proving rivalry games can go either way
- The Patriots appear 4 times, the most of any single franchise
Now, let’s explore the top 10 in detail with the full stories behind these incredible games!
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Top 30 Greatest Blowouts in NFL History
1. 2023: Dolphins 70, Broncos 20 — The Modern-Day Explosion
Imagine scoring 70 points in a single football game. That’s exactly what the Miami Dolphins did in 2023!
This wasn’t just a big win — it was an absolute explosion. The Dolphins destroyed the Denver Broncos 70-20, making everyone’s jaws drop.
Running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert were unstoppable. Together, they scored 8 touchdowns! That’s like scoring almost every time they touched the ball.
This game became the biggest NFL blowout since 2000. People couldn’t believe how many points Miami scored. The Broncos simply had no answers.
Quick Stats:
| Team | Score | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 70-20 | 2023 | Regular Season |
Why It’s Special: This is the most points any team has scored in a regular season game in modern NFL history. People also search for this game because it’s one of the wildest and most shocking performances ever seen.
2. 2009: Patriots 59, Titans 0 — The Snowstorm Beating
Picture this: It’s snowing heavily in New England, and Tom Brady is throwing perfect passes like the snow doesn’t even exist.
The Patriots destroyed the Tennessee Titans 59-0. The Titans couldn’t score even one single point!
Tom Brady threw 6 touchdown passes in the snow. Three of those touchdowns went to Randy Moss, who was catching everything despite the terrible weather.
Here’s the craziest part: Brady threw 5 touchdown passes in just the second quarter! That’s one of the biggest blowouts in NFL history regular season category.
Fun Fact: The Titans finished with minus-7 passing yards. That means they went backwards when trying to throw the ball!
Why It’s Special: This game showed that even bad weather can’t stop a great quarterback. The Patriots made it look easy while the Titans couldn’t do anything right.
3. 1973: Falcons 62, Saints 7 — The Rivalry Rout
When division rivals play each other, games are usually super close and intense. But not this one.
The Atlanta Falcons embarrassed the New Orleans Saints 62-7 in their very first game of the 1973 season.
Saints quarterback Archie Manning had a terrible day. He threw 5 interceptions, which means the other team caught his passes five times!
One of those interceptions was returned 65 yards for a touchdown by Tom Hayes. The Falcons scored 45 points just in the second and third quarters.
Why It’s Special: This remains the biggest blowout in football history between these two rival teams. Even today, fans remember this game when talking about the Falcons-Saints rivalry.
4. 1980: Bears 61, Packers 7 — Chicago’s Revenge Game
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers hate each other. They’re one of football’s oldest and fiercest rivalries.
On this December day in Chicago, the Bears showed no mercy. They crushed the Packers 61-7 at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Vince Evans had an amazing day, completing 18 of 22 passes for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns.
But the real star was Walter Payton, one of the greatest running backs ever. He scored 3 touchdowns and ran for 130 yards.
Why It’s Special: This is the most points the Chicago Bears have ever scored in a game since the NFL merger. The Bears wanted to prove they were the better team, and boy, did they prove it!
5. 1989: Bengals 61, Oilers 7 — The Cold Day Massacre
It was freezing cold in Cincinnati when the Bengals hosted the Houston Oilers. The weather wasn’t the only thing that was brutal.
Quarterback Boomer Esiason threw 4 touchdown passes, with 2 going to receiver Eddie Brown. The Bengals held the Oilers to almost nothing.
The two coaches, Sam Wyche and Jerry Glanville, really didn’t like each other. This game made their rivalry even worse.
Wyche called for tricks and special plays even when his team was already winning by a lot. He wanted to completely embarrass the Oilers.
Interesting Fact: Even though the Bengals crushed the Oilers, Cincinnati didn’t make the playoffs that year! The Oilers did make it, but they fired their coach anyway.
Why It’s Special: This game showed that sometimes, coaches make games personal. It was one of the top 10 biggest blowouts in NFL history that had extra drama behind it.
6. 1972: Dolphins 52, Patriots 0 — The Perfect Season Power
The 1972 Miami Dolphins are famous for doing something no other NFL team has ever done — going undefeated for an entire season.
This game against the New England Patriots showed everyone how powerful they were.
Miami destroyed New England 52-0. Running back Mercury Morris scored 3 rushing touchdowns and had an incredible game.
Even though starting quarterback Bob Griese was injured, backup Earl Morrall played great. The third-string quarterback even got to throw some touchdown passes!
Why It’s Special: This was part of the only perfect season in NFL history. The Patriots were so bad that their coach quit the very next day! This stands as the biggest blowout in NFL history all time for the Dolphins franchise.
7. 2011: Saints 62, Colts 7 — The Brees Firestorm
Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play football. In this game, he showed exactly why.
The New Orleans Saints destroyed the Indianapolis Colts 62-7 on Sunday Night Football. Brees threw 5 touchdown passes in just three quarters.
Two of those touchdowns went to Marques Colston, and two more went to tight end Jimmy Graham. The Colts couldn’t stop anyone.
The Colts were playing without their legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, who was injured. Their backup, Curtis Painter, couldn’t even get to 70 passing yards.
Why It’s Special: This game happened during one of the worst seasons in Colts history. They went 2-14 and lost their first 13 games. This was their most embarrassing loss of all.
8. 2012: Seahawks 58, Cardinals 0 — Seattle’s Angry Statement
The Seattle Seahawks were getting really good in 2012. They would win the Super Bowl just two years later.
This game showed everyone that Seattle was becoming dangerous. They shut out the Arizona Cardinals 58-0.
Running back Marshawn Lynch, known as “Beast Mode,” was unstoppable. He broke tackles and dragged defenders with him into the end zone.
But here’s what made this special: The Seahawks scored touchdowns on offense, defense, AND special teams. They did everything perfectly.
Cornerback Richard Sherman caught an easy interception and ran it back for a touchdown. The Cardinals threw 4 interceptions total.
Why It’s Special: This game showed how scary the Seahawks were becoming. They would go on to dominate the NFL for the next few years.
9. 1967: Raiders 51, Broncos 0 — The AFL Era Beatdown
Back before the Super Bowl era fully started, there was the AFL (American Football League). The Oakland Raiders were one of the best teams.
They showed their power by crushing the Denver Broncos 51-0. The Broncos couldn’t do anything right.
Quarterback Daryle Lamonica threw multiple touchdown passes, and the Raiders defense was perfect.
The Raiders outgained the Broncos by over 350 yards. That means Oakland moved the ball way more than Denver could.
Why It’s Special: This was one of the biggest blowouts in football history during the AFL years. It showed how dominant the Raiders were before they joined the NFL.
10. 2004: Chiefs 56, Falcons 10 — Touchdowns Everywhere
This game set a record that still stands today. Two running backs on the same team scored 8 rushing touchdowns together!
Priest Holmes and Derrick Blaylock, both Kansas City Chiefs running backs, each scored 4 touchdowns. They combined for 316 total yards.
The Atlanta Falcons were supposed to be good that year, but the Chiefs made them look helpless. Kansas City’s offensive line was filled with future Hall of Famers.
Every time Holmes or Blaylock touched the ball, it felt like they might score. The Falcons defense had no answers.
Why It’s Special: The 8 combined rushing touchdowns by two teammates in one game is an NFL record! People also search for this game when talking about the most explosive offensive performances ever.🏆 Honorable Mentions: Other Historic Blowouts
Not every huge blowout made the top 10, but these games deserve recognition, too:
- 1989: Browns 51, Steelers 0 — Cleveland completely dominated their biggest rivals in Pittsburgh. Total embarrassment.
- 2007: Patriots 56, Bills 10 — Tom Brady and Randy Moss were unstoppable during their record-breaking 16-0 season.
- 1979: Patriots 56, Jets 3 — Steve Grogan threw 5 touchdown passes, with receivers Harold Jackson and Stanley Morgan combining for all of them.
- 1987: 49ers 48, Rams 0 — Jerry Rice and Joe Montana showed their magic, with Rice catching his 21st and 22nd touchdowns of the season.
- 1968: Cowboys 59, Lions 13 — Dallas scored 38 straight points after falling behind early.
- 2000: Jaguars 48, Browns 0 — Fred Taylor ran for 181 yards and 3 touchdowns while Jacksonville dominated completely.
These games remind us that on any given Sunday, one team can totally dominate another.
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Quick Look: Top 10 Biggest Blowouts in NFL History
Here’s an easy table to see all the biggest blowouts at a glance:
| Rank | Game | Score | Year | Point Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dolphins vs Broncos | 70-20 | 2023 | 50 points |
| 2 | Falcons vs Saints | 62-7 | 1973 | 55 points |
| 3 | Saints vs Colts | 62-7 | 2011 | 55 points |
| 4 | Bears vs Packers | 61-7 | 1980 | 54 points |
| 5 | Bengals vs Oilers | 61-7 | 1989 | 54 points |
| 6 | Patriots vs Titans | 59-0 | 2009 | 59 points |
| 7 | Seahawks vs Cardinals | 58-0 | 2012 | 58 points |
| 8 | Chiefs vs Falcons | 56-10 | 2004 | 46 points |
| 9 | Dolphins vs Patriots | 52-0 | 1972 | 52 points |
| 10 | Raiders vs Broncos | 51-0 | 1967 | 51 points |
Key Takeaway: The point differences range from 46 to 59 points! That’s like scoring 7-8 touchdowns more than your opponent.
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What Makes These Blowouts So Special?
You might wonder — why do people care about blowout games? Shouldn’t we only care about close, exciting games?
Here’s why these blowouts matter:
- They show perfect teamwork. When a team scores 60+ points, everyone is doing their job perfectly. The offense, defense, and special teams all click together.
- They prove that anyone can have a bad day. Even great teams sometimes get completely beaten. It reminds us that football is unpredictable.
- They create lasting memories. Fans who watched these games will never forget them. They become stories people tell for decades.
- They motivate teams. After getting blown out, teams often come back stronger. The 1972 Patriots coach quit after losing 52-0, but the team eventually became one of the best dynasties ever.
- They set records. Many of these games include record-breaking performances that still stand today.
It’s interesting to compare these with the biggest blowout in NBA history (Memphis beat Los Angeles 133-73 in 2021, a 60-point win) or the biggest blowout in college football history (Georgia Tech beat Cumberland 222-0 in 1916 — absolutely insane!).
NFL blowouts might not reach those crazy numbers, but they’re still incredibly rare and special.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the biggest blowout in NFL history?
The Miami Dolphins’ 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in 2023 is the highest-scoring blowout. However, if you measure by point difference, several games have larger margins, including the Patriots’ 59-0 shutout of the Titans in 2009.
- Which team has the most blowout wins in NFL history?
The New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers have several massive wins throughout their histories. The Patriots especially dominated in the 2000s and 2010s under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
- What is the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history?
The San Francisco 49ers destroyed the Denver Broncos 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV (1990). Joe Montana threw 5 touchdown passes, and the 49ers led 27-3 at halftime.
- What is the biggest blowout in college football history?
Georgia Tech beat Cumberland College 222-0 in 1916. That’s not a typo! Cumberland only had 16 players and didn’t even want to play, but they had a contract. It’s the most lopsided game in football history at any level.
- Who had the biggest NFL blowout since 2000?
Two games stand out: The Patriots beat the Titans 59-0 in 2009, and the Dolphins beat the Broncos 70-20 in 2023. Both are among the most dominant performances this century.
- Do blowout games happen often in the NFL?
Not really! Blowouts of 40+ points are very rare. The NFL has lots of parity, meaning most teams are pretty close in talent. That’s what makes these games so special and memorable.
- Can a team come back from a huge deficit?
It’s extremely rare, but it has happened! The biggest comeback in NFL history was when the Buffalo Bills came back from being down 32 points to beat the Houston Oilers in a 1993 playoff game. But when a team is down 50+ points? That’s basically impossible.
Conclusion: Blowouts That Will Never Be Forgotten
Football is a game of heart, power, and passion. It’s a game where anything can happen on any given Sunday.
But some days, one team just shines way too bright. One team plays perfect football while the other team can’t do anything right.
These biggest blowouts in NFL history remind us why we love football. They show us incredible performances, shocking moments, and games that make history.
From the Dolphins scoring 70 points to the Patriots shutting out opponents completely, these games prove that football is always full of surprises.
Whether it’s a snowy day in New England, a rivalry game gone wrong, or a perfect team showing its dominance, blowouts create unforgettable memories.
The players who dominated in these games become legends. The teams that suffered these losses often came back stronger and more determined.
That’s the beauty of football — every game tells a story. And these blowout games? They tell some of the most incredible stories the NFL has ever seen.
These are the biggest blowouts in NFL history that fans still talk about today. They’re the games that remind us why we watch, why we cheer, and why we love this amazing sport.
Who knows? Maybe we’ll see another historic blowout soon that joins this legendary list!
