Washington Quarterback Sammy Baugh
Washington Quarterback Sammy Baugh

Washington and the Philadelphia Eagles opened the 1947 season with a record-breaking bang as the Eagles outscored Washington 45-42 on September 28 before a crowd of 35,406 in Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium.

The 87-point total was an NFL record and continues to stand as the most points scored in a game on Kickoff Weekend. (The record for most combined points in any NFL game is 113 by Washington (72) and the New York Giants (41) on November 27, 1966.)

The 12-touchdown scoring blitz, an NFL record at the time, was highlighted by the play of two future Pro Football Hall of Famers -- Washington quarterback Sammy Baugh and Philadelphia halfback Steve Van Buren.

Baugh, whose 1947 totals in completions (210), attempts (354) and yards passing (2,938) were NFL records, threw for 364 yards and five touchdowns, including three to rookie end Hugh Taylor. Van Buren, whose 1,008 rushing yards for the year were also a league record, returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and rushed for another while totaling 98 yards on the ground.

Washington vs Eagles Scoring Summary

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Source: NFL
Washington014141442
Philadelphia101414745

 

    Phi - FG Muha 40

    Phi - Pihos 19 pass from Thompson (Patton kick)

    Was - Nussbaumer 25 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)

    Was - Taylor 62 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)

    Phi - Van Buren 95 kickoff return (Patton kick)

    Phi - Sherman 1 run (Patton kick)

    Was - Saenz 94 kickoff return (Poillon kick)

    Phi - Van Buren 1 run (Patton kick)

    Phi - Pihos 21 pass from Thompson (Patton kick)

    Was - Poillon 4 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)

    Phi - Armstrong 29 pass from Thompson (Patton kick)

    Was - Taylor 36 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)

    Was - Taylor 18 pass from Baugh (Poillon kick)

 

Highest Scoring Games on Kickoff Weekend

Date Game Combined Points
Source: NFL
September 28, 1947Philadelphia (45) vs. Washington (42)87
September 19, 1971Dallas (49) vs. Buffalo (37)86
September 19, 1971New York Giants (42) vs. Green Bay (40)82
September 9, 2007Dallas (45) vs. New York Giants (35)80
September 4, 1983Green Bay (41) vs. Houston (38) (OT)79
September 8, 2002Kansas City (40) vs. Cleveland (39)79

 

The record for most combined points in any NFL game is 113 by Washington (72) and the New York Giants (41) on November 27, 1966.

 

Highest Scoring Games in NFL History

Date Game Combined Points
Source: NFL
November 27, 1966Washington (72) vs. New York Giants (41)113
November 28, 2004Cincinnati (58) vs. Cleveland (48)106
November 1, 2015New Orleans (52) vs. New York Giants(49)101
December 22, 1963Oakland (52) vs. Houston (49)101
November 27, 1983Seattle (51) vs. Kansas City (48) (OT)99
October 17, 1948Chicago Cardinals (63) vs. New York Giants (35)98
December 8, 1985San Diego (54) vs. Pittsburgh (44)98

 

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NFL Football Records: "Opening Day 1947: A Record 87 Points"