If you thought Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season was explosive, you were absolutely right. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the opening slate delivered historic scoring numbers, with teams combining for an average of 50.1 points per game—the highest for any Week 1 since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. The offensive fireworks culminated in a Sunday night clash between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, but not before several games redefined early-season expectations.
The Numbers Behind the Madness
Per multiple metrics, Sunday's games alone marked the highest-scoring Week 1 Sunday since the merger. The pinnacle was a barn-burner in Charlotte, where the Chicago Bears outlasted the Carolina Panthers 59-37. That matchup set a new single-game scoring record for a Week 1 contest, with Chicago leading 52-37 with just four minutes remaining. The final touchdown was merely icing on the cake. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, such gaudy numbers have sent shockwaves through the league, prompting questions about the root causes.
Mike Tomlin's Expert Theory
Enter Mike Tomlin, the recently retired Pittsburgh Steelers head coach who now serves as an analyst for NBC's game broadcasts. During halftime of Sunday night's Cowboys-Giants matchup, Tomlin offered a compelling explanation for the offensive surge. "I think how we practice and how we prepare our teams today really kind of lends itself to offenses starting faster than they have historically," Tomlin told host Maria Taylor. "What I mean by that is there is less violence in team development. There are less padded practices. Even the drills that they do are more geared to skill development—7 on 7 and things of that nature. Defenses spend less time shedding blocks and tackling than they used to 25 years ago when I came into the league."
Does the Theory Hold Water?
Tomlin's hypothesis carries weight, especially given his 25 seasons of firsthand experience as a head coach, coordinator, and assistant. The reduced emphasis on physicality in practice may indeed give offenses a significant edge early in the season. As highlighted on Vulius, this trend could have major implications for fantasy football and betting markets. However, Tomlin suggests that scoring will naturally decline as defenses acclimate. With each week of game experience and regular-season practice, defensive units will hone their craft, physicality, and skillset, theoretically leveling the playing field.
"There is less violence in team development. There are less padded practices. Even the drills that they do are more geared to skill development—7 on 7 and things of that nature." — Mike Tomlin
The Road Ahead
Only time will tell if Tomlin's theory holds up. But until proven otherwise, fans should anticipate high-scoring affairs in the early weeks of the 2026 season. For now, the NFL's offensive explosion has everyone talking, and Vulius will continue to provide in-depth analysis and the latest updates as the season unfolds.
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