Quarter of the story

The Cincinnati Bengals earned a much needed win over their division rival Cleveland Browns during Week 11. The victory was sparked by the Bengals’ 31-point second quarter which marked the most points ever scored in a single quarter in franchise history. The scoring barrage included two Andy Dalton touchdown passes, a field goal, and touchdowns off a blocked punt and a fumble return.

As impressive as the Bengals’ performance was on Sunday, their scoring outburst did not threaten the NFL record for most points scored in a quarter. That record stands at 41 points and has been shared by the Packers and Rams for more than 60 years. The Detroit Lions hold the dubious distinction of being the victim of the scoring records.

Green Bay Packers, Oct. 7, 1945 (2nd Quarter)
The Packers completly dominated the Lions with a 57-21 win on Oct. 7, 1945 in Milwaukee. The Packers racked up 41 points in the second quarter of the contest. Leading the way was the legendary Don Hutson (right), who had been lured out of retirement by the Packers, as he scored 29 of his 31 points in that quarter. Hutson’s points came via four touchdown receptions and seven extra points. The loss was Detroit’s first in six games dating back to the end of the 1944 season.

Los Angeles Rams, Oct. 29, 1950 (3rd Quarter)
Rams’ quarterback Norm Van Brocklin threw four touchdown passes and rushed for a fifth to lead L.A. to a 65-24 shellacking of the Lions on Oct. 29, 1950. A record-tying 41-point barrage in the third quarter included three of Van Brocklin’s touchdown passes and a 93-yard kickoff return by Vitamin Smith.  After that 15-minute highlight reel, the Rams coach Joe Stydahar throttled back the aerial attack and hence ended the team’s scoring for the day.