Scoring 50 points in an NFL game isn’t as big a deal as it once was, not with all these offense-friendly rule changes, but it’s still notable. The Patriots’ 51-23 win over the Bears today, for instance, was the seventh time they’ve reached 50 in the 2000s (since 2007, really). No other club has done it more than three times.

The Pats also have scored 50 in a game three years running. Only two other teams have managed that since the 1970 merger (one of whom did it four straight years). The exclusive club:

TEAMS THAT HAVE SCORED 50 POINTS IN A GAME 3 YEARS IN A ROW (SINCE 1970)

[table]

Years   Team,Quarterback(s),Opponents (Score)

1991-94   49ers,Steve Young,Bears (52-14)\, Falcons (56-17)\, Lions (55-17)\, Falcons (50-14)

2012-14   Patriots,Tom Brady,Bills (52-28)\, Colts (59-24)\, Steelers (55-31)\, Bears (51-23)

1984-86   Bengals,Anderson/Esiason,Bills (52-21)\, Cowboys (50-24)\, Jets (52-21)

[/table]

As you can see, all three teams had an outstanding quarterback, not just one who got hot every now and then. Young is in the Hall of Fame, Brady is headed there, and Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason were among the best of their eras.