Highest-Scoring Super Bowl: 49ers, Chargers Lit Up Miami 28 Years Ago
75 Points is Still Unmatched Today
Nearly three decades ago, the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers completed one of the most epic Super Bowls. The teams combined to score 75 points and 10 total touchdowns, both of which are still Super Bowl records today. While some recent games have come close, this remains the highest-scoring Super Bowl and is worth revisiting.
The Record-Setting Super Bowl XXIX
Steve Young and Jerry Rice Run Touchdown City
Fans were in for a treat with Super Bowl XXIX despite the lopsided NFL odds: San Francisco was favored by 18.5 points thanks to being the most prolific offense with 505 regular-season points and a 13-3 NFL standing. And while the Chargers were no pushovers, the underdogs could not keep up with Steve Young and Jerry Rice.
Young, the 49ers’ star quarterback, finally emerged from Joe Montana’s shadow as he delivered the franchise another Super Bowl title. He set a record with six touchdown passes and won his first and only Super Bowl MVP. Rice, on the other hand, caught three of his touchdown passes. He made his own Super Bowl records with career receiving yards and touchdowns just to name a few.
The Chargers did not have the same household names. But they did score in every quarter just like San Francisco. This was the first time both teams scored in all four quarters hence why it is still the highest-scoring Super Bowl today.
Super Bowl XXIX Records Set
Several NFL records were set and are still unbroken today. Many of these NFL stats came from Rice and the 49ers offense. However, Andre Coleman and the Chargers’ special teams also set some records:
Player Records Set:
- Most points scored, career: 42 – Jerry Rice (San Francisco)
- Most touchdowns, career: 7 – Jerry Rice
- Most touchdown passes, game: 6 – Steve Young (San Francisco)
Receiving Records:
- Most yards, career: 512 yards – Jerry Rice
- Most receptions, career: 28 – Jerry Rice
- Most receiving touchdowns, career: 7 – Jerry Rice
Combined yardage Records:
- Most yards gained, game: 244 yards – Andre Coleman (San Diego)
- Most yards gained, career: 527 yards – Jerry Rice
Special teams Records:
- Most kickoff returns, game: 8 – Andre Coleman
- Most kickoff return yards, game: 244 yards – Andre Coleman
- Highest punting average, game (4 punts): 48.75 yards (4-195) – Bryan Wagner (San Diego)
- Most 2-point conversions, game: 1 – Mark Seay, Alfred Pupunu (San Diego)
Fly Eagles Fly: Philadelphia Nearly Outdid Super Bowl XXIX, Twice
Nearly a quarter of a century later, Philadelphia and New England came awfully close to tying Super Bowl XXIX record. These franchises combined to score 74 points. While it fell short of becoming the highest-scoring Super Bowl, these teams made for a more competitive result as Philadelphia edged New England 41-33.
Five years later in 2023, Philadelphia once again helped put up a high-scoring game. This time, it fell short as Kansas City edged it 38-35. The 73 points is the third-highest total in a Super Bowl.
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