The 50 Most Prolific Offenses in NFL History

Defenses may win championships...but great offenses win a spot on this list.

The 50 most prolific offensive units in the history of the NFL don't all share the same end-of-season success. However, they do share two important traits.

These groups had the uncanny knack to light up scoreboards with ease and were able to give opposing defenses nightmares as they tried to figure out how to limit their proficiency.

50. 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Players: QB Terry Bradshaw, RB Franco Harris, WR Lynn Swann, WR John Stallworth, C Mike Webster

Key Stats: 26.0 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,258 total yards (1st), 25 rushing TDs (2nd)

Season Result: 12-4 (won Super Bowl XIV, 31-19 over Los Angeles Rams)

49. 1995 Dallas Cowboys

Key Players: QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith, WR Michael Irvin, TE Jay Novachek

Key Stats: 27.2 pts/gm (3rd in NFL), 2,201 rushing yards (2nd), 29 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 12-4 (won Super Bowl XXX, 27-17 over Pittsburgh Steelers)

48. 1996 Green Bay Packers

Key Players: QB Brett Favre, RB Edgar Bennett, TE Keith Jackson, WR Antonio Freeman

Key Stats: 28.5 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,535 yards (5th), 39 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 13-3 (won Super Bowl XXXI over New England Patriots, 35-21)

47. 1949 Philadelphia Eagles

Key Players: QB Tommy Thompson, RB Steve Van Buren, TE Pete Pihos

Key Stats: 30.3 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,431 total yards (2nd), 2,607 rushing yards (1st), 25 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 11-1 (won NFL Championship over Los Angeles Rams, 14-0)

46. 2004 Kansas City Chiefs

Key Players: QB Trent Green, RB Priest Holmes, TE Tony Gonzalez, WR Eddie Kennison

Key Stats: 30.2 pts/gm (2nd in NFL), 6,695 yards (1st), 398 first downs (1st), 31 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 7-9 (missed postseason)

45. 1952 Los Angeles Rams

Key Players: QB Norm Van Brocklin, QB Bob Waterfield, WR Elroy Hirsh, WR Tom Fears, FB Dan Towler

Key Stats: 29.1 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,103 yards (2nd), 17 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 9-3 (lost NFL Divisional to Detroit Lions, 31-21)

44. 1956 Chicago Bears

Key Players: QB Ed Brown, WR Harlon Hill, FB Rick Casares, RB J.C. Caroline

Key Stats: 30.2 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,537 total yards (1st), 2,468 rushing yards (1st), 22 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 9-2-1 (lost NFL Championship to New York Giants, 47-7)

43. 1943 Chicago Bears

Key Players: QB Sid Luckman, RB Harry Clarke, WR Ray McLean

Key Stats: 30.3 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 3,961 total yards (1st), 2,310 passing yards (1st), 28 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 8-1-1 (won NFL Championship over Washington Redskins, 41-21)

42. 2006 San Diego Chargers

Key Players: QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, TE Antonio Gates

Key Stats: 30.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 2,578 rushing yards (2nd), 32 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 14-2 (lost AFC Divisional to New England Patriots, 24-21)

41. 1960 Cleveland Browns

Key Players: QB Milt Plum, FB Jim Brown, RB Bobby Mitchell, WR Ray Renfro

Key Stats: 30.2 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 22 passing TDs (3rd), 1,930 rushing yards (3rd), 18 rushing TDs (3rd)

Season Result: 8-3-1 (missed postseason)

40. 2003 Kansas City Chiefs

Key Players: QB Trent Green, RB Priest Holmes, TE Tony Gonzalez, WR Eddie Kennison

Key Stats: 30.2 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,910 total yards (2nd), 3,981 passing yards (2nd), 32 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 13-3 (lost AFC Divisional to Indianapolis Colts, 38-31)

39. 1947 Chicago Bears

Key Players: QB Sid Luckman, RB George McAfee, FB Joe Osmanski

Key Stats: 30.2 pts/gm (1st), 5,052 total yards (1st), 3,093 passing yards (2nd), 29 passing TDs (1st), 21 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 8-4 (missed postseason)

38. 1959 Baltimore Colts

Key Players: QB Johnny Unitas, RB Lenny Moore, FB Alan Ameche, WR Raymond Berry

Key Stats: 31.2 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,458 total yards (1st), 2,753 passing yards (1st), 33 passing TDs

Season Result: 9-3 (won NFL Championship over New York Giants, 31-16)

37. 1948 Philadelphia Eagles

Key Players: QB Tommy Thompson, RB Steve Van Buren, TE Pete Pihos, RB Bosh Pritchard

Key Stats: 31.3 pts/gm (2nd in NFL), 4,619 total yards (2nd), 2,378 rushing yards (3rd), 27 passing TDs (2nd)

Season Result: 9-2-1 (won NFL Championship over Chicago Cardinals, 7-0)

36. 1964 Baltimore Colts

Key Players: QB Johnny Unitas, RB Lenny Moore, WR Jimmy Orr, WR Raymond Berry

Key Stats: 30.6 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,779 total yards (1st), 2,772 passing yards (2nd), 29 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 12-2 (lost NFL Championship to Cleveland Browns, 27-0)

35. 1991 Washington Redskins

Key Players: QB Mark Rypien, WR Gary Clark, WR Art Monk, RB Ernest Byner

Key Stats: 30.3 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,741 yards (4th), 30 passing TDs (2nd), 21 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 14-2 (won Super Bowl XXVI over Buffalo Bills, 37-24)

34. 1953 San Francisco 49ers

Key Players: QB Y.A. Tittle, FB Joe Perry, RB Hugh McElhenny, WR Billy Wilson

Key Stats: 31.0 pts/g (1st in NFL), 2,230 rushing yards (1st), 26 rushing TDs (1st), 22 passing TDs (2nd)

Season Result: 9-3 (missed postseason)

33. 1948 Chicago Bears

Key Players: QB Sid Luckman, RB George McAfee, WR Ken Kavanaugh, RB George Gulyanics

Key Stats: 31.2 pts/gm (3rd in NFL), 242 first downs (1st), 2,452 rushing yards (2nd), 25 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 10-2 (missed postseason)

32. 1968 New York Jets

Key Players: QB Joe Namath, WR Don Maynard, WR George Sauer, FB Matt Snell, RB Emerson Boozer

Key Stats: 29.9 pts/gm (2nd in AFL), 5,047 total yards (3rd), 3,439 passing yards (3rd), 22 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 11-3 (won Super Bowl III over Baltimore Colts, 16-7)

31. 1953 Los Angeles Rams

Key Players: QB Norm Van Brocklin, WR Elroy Hirsh, WR Bob Boyd, FB Dan Towler, FB Tank Younger

Key Stats: 30.5 pts/gm (2nd in NFL), 4,713 yards (2nd), 23 rushing TDs (2nd)

Season Result: 8-3-1 (missed postseason)

30. 2001 St. Louis Rams

Key Players: QB Kurt Warner, RB Marshall Faulk, WR Torry Holt, WR Issac Bruce

Key Stats: 31.4 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,690 yards (1st), 37 passing TDs (1st), 20 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 14-2 (lost Super Bowl XXXVI to New England Patriots, 20-17)

29. 1958 Baltimore Colts

Key Players: QB Johnny Unitas, RB Lenny Moore, FB Alan Ameche, WR Raymond Berry

Key Stats: 31.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,539 yards (1st), 26 passing TDs (1st), 24 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 9-3 (won NFL Championship over New York Giants, 23-17)

28. 1968 Dallas Cowboys

Key Players: QB Don Meredith, WR Bob Hayes, WR Lance Rentzel, FB Don Perkins

Key Stats: 30.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,117 yards (1st), 22 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 12-2 (lost in NFL Divisional to Cleveland Browns, 31-20)

27. 1987 San Francisco 49ers

Key Players: QB Joe Montana, WR Jerry Rice, WR John Taylor, RB Roger Craig

Key Stats: 30.6 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,987 total yards (1st), 2,237 rushing yards (1st), 44 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 13-2 (lost NFC Divisional to Minnesota Vikings, 36-24)

26. 1982 San Diego Chargers

Key Players: QB Dan Fouts, TE Kellen Winslow, RB Chuck Muncie, WR Wes Chandler, WR Charlie Joiner

Key Stats: 32.0 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,048 total yards (1st), 2,927 passing yards (1st), 19 passing TDs (1st), 15 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 6-3* (lost AFC Divisional to Miami Dolphins, 34-13)

*Strike-shortened season

25. 1966 Kansas City Chiefs

Key Players: QB Len Dawson, RB Mike Garrett, WR Otis Taylor

Key Stats: 32.0 pts/gm (1st in AFL), 5,114 total yards (1st), 2,274 rushing yards (1st), 31 passing TDs (1st), 19 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 11-2-1 (lost Super Bowl I to Green Bay Packers, 35-10)

24. 1948 Chicago Cardinals

Key Players: QB Ray Mallouf, RB Charlie Trippi, WR Mal Kutner

Key Stats: 32.9 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,694 total yards (1st), 2,560 rushing yards (1st), 25 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 11-1 (lost NFL Championship to Philadelphia Eagles, 7-0)

23. 1968 Oakland Raiders

Key Players: QB Daryle Lamonica, FB Hewritt Dixon, WR Fred Biletnikoff, WR Warren Wells

Key Stats: 32.4 pts/gm (1st in AFL), 5,696 total yards (1st), 3,528 passing yards (1st), 31 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 12-2 (lost AFL Championship to New York Jets, 27-23)

22. 1999 St. Louis Rams

Key Players: QB Kurt Warner, RB Marshall Faulk, WR Issac Bruce, WR Torry Holt

Key Stats: 32.9 pts/gm (1st), 6,412 yards (1st), 42 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 13-3 (won Super Bowl XXXIV over Tennessee Titans, 23-16)

21. 1966 Dallas Cowboys

Key Players: QB Don Meredith, WR Bob Hayes, FB Don Perkins, HB Dan Reeves

Key Stats: 31.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,145 yards (1st), 24 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 10-3-1 (lost in NFL Championship to Green Bay Packers, 34-27)

20. 1967 Oakland Raiders

Key Players: QB Daryle Lamonica, TE Billy Cannon, FB Hewritt Dixon, WR Fred Biletnikoff

Key Stats: 33.4 pts/gm (1st in AFL), 5,116 yards (3rd), 33 passing TDs (1st), 19 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 13-1 (lost Super Bowl II to Green Bay Packers, 33-14)

19. 1951 Los Angeles Rams

Key Players: QB Norm Van Brocklin, QB Bob Waterfield, WR Elroy Hirsh, WR Tom Fears, FB Dan Towler

Key Stats: 32.7 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,409 yards (1st), 26 passing TDs (2nd), 22 rushing TDs (2nd)

Season Result: 8-4 (won NFL Championship over Cleveland Browns, 24-17)

18. 1942 Chicago Bears

Key Players: QB Sid Luckman, RB Gary Famiglietti, WR Ray McLean

Key Stats: 34.2 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 3,855 total yards (1st), 1,881 rushing yards (1st), 21 passing TDs (2nd), 23 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 11-0 (lost NFL Championship to Washington Redskins, 14-6)

17. 1961 Houston Oilers

Key Players: QB George Blanda, RB Billy Cannon, WR Charley Hennigan, WR Bill Gorman

Key Stats: 36.6 pts/gm (1st in AFL), 6,288 total yards (1st), 4,392 passing yards (1st), 48 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 10-3-1 (won AFL Championship over San Diego Chargers, 10-3)

16. 1989 San Francisco 49ers

Key Players: QB Joe Montana, WR Jerry Rice, WR John Taylor, RB Roger Craig, TE Brent Jones

Key Stats: 27.6 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,268 total yards (1st), 4,302 passing yards (2nd), 35 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 14-2 (won Super Bowl XXIV over Denver Broncos, 55-10)

15. 1962 Green Bay Packers

Key Players: QB Bart Starr, FB Jim Taylor, RB Paul Hornung, WR Max McGee, WR Boyd Dowler

Key Stats: 29.6 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 281 first downs (1st), 2,460 rushing yards (1st), 36 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 13-1 (won NFL Championship over New York Giants, 14-7)

14. 1941 Chicago Bears

Key Players: QB Sid Luckman, RB George McAfee, WR Ken Kavanaugh

Key Stats: 36.0 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 4,158 total yards (1st), 2,002 passing yards (1st), 2,156 rushing yards (1st), 19 passing TDs (1st), 30 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 10-1 (won NFL Championship over New York Giants, 37-9)

13. 1994 San Francisco 49ers

Key Players: QB Steve Young, WR Jerry Rice, RB Ricky Watters, TE Brent Jones

Key Stats: 31.6 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,060 yards (2nd), 37 passing TDs (1st), 23 rushing TDs (2nd)

Season Result: 13-3 (won Super Bowl XXIX over San Diego Chargers, 49-26)

12. 1963 New York Giants

Key Players: QB Y.A. Tittle, WR Del Shofner, WR Frank Gifford, RB Phil King

Key Stats: 32.0 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,024 total yards (1st), 3,247 passing yards (2nd), 39 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 11-3 (lost NFL Championship to Chicago Bears, 14-10)

11. 1990 Buffalo Bills

Key Players: QB Jim Kelly, RB Thurman Thomas, WR Andre Reed, WR James Lofton

Key Stats: 26.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 28 passing TDs (3rd), 20 rushing TDs (2nd)

Season Result: 13-3 (lost Super Bowl XXV to New York Giants, 20-19)

10. 2009 New Orleans Saints

Key Players: QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, WR Robert Meachem, RB Pierre Thomas

Key Stats: 31.9 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,461 yards (1st), 34 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 13-3 (won Super Bowl XLIV over Indianapolis Colts, 31-17)

9. 1981 San Diego Chargers

Key Players: QB Dan Fouts, TE Kellen Winslow, RB Chuck Muncie, WR Charlie Joiner

Key Stats: 29.9 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,744 total yards (1st), 4,739 passing yards (1st), 34 passing TDs (1st), 26 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 10-6 (lost AFC Championship to Cincinnati Bengals, 27-7)

8. 1998 Denver Broncos

Key Players: QB John Elway, RB Terrell Davis, WR Ed McCaffrey, TE Shannon Sharpe

Key Stats: 31.3 pts/gm (2nd in NFL), 6,092 total yards (3rd), 2,468 rushing yards (2nd), 26 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 14-2 (won Super Bowl XXXIII over Atlanta Falcons, 34-19)

7. 2004 Indianapolis Colts

Key Players: QB Peyton Manning, RB Edgerrin James, WR Marvin Harrison, WR Reggie Wayne, WR Brandon Stokley

Key Stats: 32.6 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,475 total yards (2nd), 4,623 passing yards (1st), 51 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 12-4 (lost AFC Divisional to New England Patriots, 20-3)

6. 1984 Miami Dolphins

Key Players: QB Dan Marino, WR Mark Clayton, WR Mark Duper

Key Stats: 32.1 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,936 total yards (1st), 5,018 passing yards (1st), 49 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 14-2 (lost Super Bowl XIX to San Francisco 49ers, 38-16)

5. 1983 Washington Redskins

Key Players: QB Joe Theismann, RB John Riggins, RB Joe Washington, WR Art Monk, WR Charlie Brown

Key Stats: 33.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,139 yards (3rd), 30 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 14-2 (lost Super Bowl XVIII to Los Angeles Raiders, 38-9)

4. 1998 Minnesota Vikings

Key Players: QB Randall Cunningham, WR Cris Carter, WR Randy Moss, RB Robert Smith

Key Stats: 34.8 pts/gm (1st), 4,328 passing yards (1st), 41 passing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 15-1 (lost NFC Championship to Atlanta Falcons, 30-27)

3. 1950 Los Angeles Rams

Key Players: QB Norm Van Brocklin, QB Bob Waterfield, WR Tom Fears, WR Elroy Hirsh, RB Glenn Davis

Key Stats: 38.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 5,240 yards (1st), 31 passing TDs (1st), 28 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 9-3 (lost NFL Championship to Cleveland Browns, 30-28)

2. 2000 St. Louis Rams

Key Players: QB Kurt Warner, RB Marshall Faulk, WR Issac Bruce, WR Torry Holt

Key Stats: 33.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 7,075 yards (1st), 37 passing TDs (1st), 26 rushing TDs (1st)

Season Result: 10-6 (lost NFC Wild Card to New Orleans Saints, 31-28)

1. 2007 New England Patriots

Key Players: QB Tom Brady, WR Randy Moss, WR Donte Stallworth, RB Laurence Maroney

Key Stats: 36.8 pts/gm (1st in NFL), 6,580 yards (1st), 50 passing TDs (1st), 393 first downs (1st)

Season Result: 16-0 (lost Super Bowl XLII to New York Giants, 17-14)