If anyone has ever watched an NFL game where the referees can’t seem to keep their flags in their pockets, imagine how frustrating penalties can be. Not only do these infractions slow down the game, but they also drive players, coaches, and fans crazy. Sometimes, it feels like the whole game revolves around yellow flags rather than touchdowns and big plays. But what if there’s a game in NFL history where penalties completely took over? Let’s dive into the details of some of the most penalty-ridden games ever and see just how far teams have pushed the limits of the rulebook.
Most Penalized NFL Game: A 1976 Flag Fest
Given the stricter rule enforcement, anybody might think that the most penalty-heavy game in NFL history would have happened recently. But believe it or not, the game with the most penalties occurred nearly half a century ago, on October 17, 1976, between two expansion teams: the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In what can only be described as a flag-throwing frenzy, the two teams combined for a mind-boggling 35 accepted penalties for a total of 310 yards. That’s right—310 yards just from penalties! The game saw 16 holding penalties, and the Buccaneers were even flagged twice for having 12 men on the field. To top it off, Tampa Bay faced second or third down with 20 or more yards to go on seven different occasions.
Despite the mess of penalties, Seattle won the game 13-10, scoring all their points in the third quarter. There could have been even more penalties, but four were wiped out: two were declined, and two others were offset. It’s hard to imagine how either team found any rhythm in such a chaotic game.
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The Most Penalties by a Single Team in a Game
While 35 combined penalties might sound crazy, the Oakland Raiders took things up a notch in 2016. On October 30, 2016, in a game against the Buccaneers, the Raiders set the NFL record for the most penalties by a single team in one game, with an astonishing 23 flags thrown against them for 200 yards.
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Here’s the wild part: despite receiving 23 flags, the Raiders pulled off the win, defeating the Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. This game wasn’t an isolated incident for the Raiders, either. They are one of the most penalized teams in NFL history, and they even made the infamous “20-or-more penalties” list twice, with another penalty-filled performance back in 1996.
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Most Penalized Player in a Single Season: Brandon Browner’s Rough 2015
No NFL player wants to hold the record for the most penalties in a single season, but Brandon Browner has the unfortunate distinction of owning this infamous title. During the 2015 season with the New Orleans Saints, Browner was flagged an eye-popping 24 times, with 21 accepted penalties. This shattered the previous record set by Chester Pitts, who had 22 penalties in 2003.
It’s unlikely anyone will break Browner’s record anytime soon, as few players have ever committed that many infractions in a single season. His 2015 campaign has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons.
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A Thanksgiving Flag-Fest: Cowboys vs. Raiders in 2021
Families, food, and football define Thanksgiving, but the 2021 Thanksgiving game between the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders stands out for its excessive penalties. The teams combined for 28 penalties for 276 yards, setting records for both teams. However, it still didn’t come close to breaking the all-time league records.
The Cowboys’ game ended in heartbreak, as they lost 36-33 in overtime. The refs repeatedly threw their flags, disrupting what could have been an exciting holiday matchup, making that the most memorable part of the game despite the loss.
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The True Record Holder
The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets game tied the 2024 season record with 22 accepted penalties and set a new season high with 206 penalty yards.
While the Seahawks-Buccaneers game in 1976 had 35 penalties, and the Raiders’ 23-penalty performance in 2016 holds the single-team record, the all-time high for combined penalties in a game occurred even earlier. On November 25, 1951, the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears put on a penalty clinic, combining for a jaw-dropping 37 penalties and a total of 374 penalty yards.
In that game, the Bears committed 16 penalties for 165 yards, while the Browns committed 21 penalties for 209 yards. Despite all the infractions, the Browns still managed to crush the Bears 42-21.
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