Most Points Scored in NFL History
The NFL has had some crazy scoring records throughout the years. Many people believe that quarterbacks or wide receivers score the most points but that’s not the case. The all-time scoring leaders in the NFL are kickers as they play for a long time and accumulate a lot of field goals and extra points. Adam Vinatieri holds the record for the most points scored in NFL history, finishing his career with 2,673 points.
Photo Credit: Lance Cpl. Edward L. Mennenga, USMC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 5 Most Points Scored in NFL History
Here are the top 5 players with the most points scored in NFL history, showing how kickers dominate the record books with consistency and longevity.
| Rank | Player | Points |
| 1 | Adam Vinatieri | 2,673 |
| 2 | Morten Andersen | 2,544 |
| 3 | Gary Anderson | 2,434 |
| 4 | Jason Hanson | 2,150 |
| 5 | John Carney | 2,062 |
Adam Vinatieri (2,673 Points)
Career: 1996-2019
Teams: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts
Adam Vinatieri holds the record for the most points scored in NFL history, totaling 2,673 points. Known as “Automatic Adam”, he successfully kicked 599 field goals and 874 extra points, achieving over 100 points in 21 different seasons. Vinatieri is famous for his crucial kicks including the memorable snowy playoff victory against the Raiders in 2001 and his game-winning kicks in two Super Bowls.
Morten Andersen (2,544 Points)
Career: 1982-2007
Teams: New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings
Morten Andersen accumulated a total of 2,544 points throughout his 25-year career. Over his time in the league, Andersen played for six different teams and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl seven times. He had an impressive 14 seasons where he scored over 100 points. With 1,318 points scored while playing for New Orleans he remains the all-time leading scorer for the Saints.
Gary Anderson (2,434 Points)
Career: 1982-2004
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans
Gary Anderson is ranked third in NFL history for scoring, totaling 2,434 points. He successfully kicked 538 field goals and 820 extra points during his 23-season career. In 1998, he made history as the first kicker to achieve a perfect season by scoring 164 points for Minnesota’s record-breaking offense. Anderson had 11 seasons where he scored over 100 points and remains the all-time leading scorer for the Steelers with 1,343 points.
Jason Hanson (2,150 Points)
Career: 1992-2012
Teams: Detroit Lions
Jason Hanson scored 2,150 points all while playing for the Detroit Lions. Hanson participated in 327 games and set an NFL record for the most games played with a single team. Hanson participated in 327 games and set an NFL record for the most games played with a single team. Over his career, he had 12 seasons where he scored more than 100 points including a remarkable 132 points in 2008.
John Carney (2,062 Points)
Career: 1988-2010
Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants
John Carney is ranked fifth in NFL history for scoring, totaling 2,062 points. Over 23 seasons, he successfully kicked 478 field goals and made 628 extra points. Carney achieved over 100 points in eight different seasons with his highest being 142 points in 1994 while playing for New Orleans. He remains the all-time leading scorer for the Chargers with amassing 1,076 points.
