What is the scoring record for a single half in the NFL?
As the Seattle Seahawks dominate the Atlanta Falcons in the first half, we take a look at the highest-ever score in an NFL half.
When one team dominates for a half of football, it often feels historic, and Sunday’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons is no exception. Seattle scored 38 points in the first half, holding Atlanta to just seven, an impressive display of offensive firepower and defensive control. But how does this performance compare to the all-time single-half records in the NFL?
The Seahawks have put up 35 points in the first half...
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 9, 2025
They might hit the over by the end of the third (44.5) 😅
Via @NFL pic.twitter.com/wklMXLYntQ
NFL’s single-half points record
The official record for the most points scored by one team in a half is somewhat unclear. Many sources cite different milestones, and there is no universally agreed-upon single-half record for a regular-season game.
For example, some reports mention the New England Patriots leading the Tennessee Titans 45‑0 at halftime on October 18, 2009 as the largest halftime lead in NFL regular-season history. Others recall the Green Bay Packers’ 49 points scored in the first half of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1983 as the most points scored. Some earlier sources mistakenly attribute the Washington Redskins’ 72-point game versus the New York Giants in 1966 as a halftime record, but that figure represents the total game score, not a single half.
October 2, 1983
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) October 2, 2025
Most Points Scored by One Team in One Half in #NFL History: 49
The #Packers score seven first half touchdowns to forge a 49-7 halftime lead en route to a 55-14 slaughter of the Buccaneers at Lambeau.#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/jOWsAmJSW0
Even with these discrepancies, a 38-point first half in 2025 is an elite performance by modern standards. Few teams reach that mark in a half, and Seattle’s combination of big plays, scoring efficiency, and a faltering Falcons defense puts this effort among the more dominant halves in recent NFL history. While it likely won’t go down as the absolute record, it certainly makes an impression for both the franchise and the current season.
Ultimately, Seattle’s performance is a noteworthy milestone for 2025, and it highlights both the excitement of watching high-powered NFL offenses and the challenge of pinpointing exact historical records. While the “official” record for most points in a half remains unclear, the Seahawks’ half is one that fans won’t soon forget.
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