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The NFL Is Thrilled with How This Season Has Started

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Plenty of scoring and close games are good for business in the NFL.

Teams are scoring at a record pace this season. The number of points (4,489), touchdowns (504) and touchdown passes (328) are the most in league history through six weeks.

And games are coming down to the end.

Sixty-nine percent of all games (64 of 93) have been within one score in the fourth quarter.

A total of 54 games have been decided by one score — eight points or less. That’s tied for the most in league history at this point.

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There have been 28 games decided by three points or fewer, second-most at this point.

At least one game has reached overtime the first six weeks for the first time since extra time was instituted in 1974.

“I don’t think there has been a better time to be an NFL fan,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday in a news conference after the owners meetings in New York. “The quality of the games and the enjoyment that comes with that, I hear it from the fans all the time — that is No. 1 for them. From our standpoint, we look at this as a great moment for us, the tremendous growth and the tremendous popularity of our game.”

Do you agree that this is the best time to be an NFL fan?

One of the key factors contributing to the scoring output is the emphasis on calling defensive holding penalties. The total is up to 36 from 11 through six weeks last season.

The increase in roughing-the-passer penalties and eliminating the use of the helmet to initiate hits are also important factors, although neither is popular with fans of physical play.

League officials also point to an influx of talented young quarterbacks.

However, scoring could taper off once defenses make adjustments, and weather could affect games later in the season.

Here’s a look inside more numbers going into Week 7:

MORE THIELEN: Vikings receiver Adam Thielen has at least 100 yards receiving in each of Minnesota’s first six games this season. Only Charley Hennigan had more with seven in 1961 for Houston. Thielen’s 58 catches lead the NFL, and he’s on pace for 155 receptions.

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BREEZING UP: Drew Brees broke Peyton Manning’s career record for yards passing last week and now is one TD pass away from joining Manning (539), Brett Favre (508) and Tom Brady (501) in the 500 TD club. The Saints visit the Ravens on Sunday.

CHASING LT: Rams running back Todd Gurley has 11 TDs rushing and receiving. He’s on pace for 29. Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson set the record with 31 in 2006 for the Chargers.

THE SCORING GOAT: Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri is 10 points away from breaking Morten Anderson’s career scoring record. Anderson had 2,544 points on 565 field goals and 849 extra points. Vinatieri has 2,535 points and already broke Anderson’s record for most field goals. He’s at 570 and counting.

PAT’S STATS: Patrick Mahomes has 18 TD passes in his first seven career games. Only Kurt Warner (21) and Deshaun Watson (20) had more through eight.

BIG PLAY TY: Mahomes’ teammate on the Chiefs, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, already has 14 career TDs of 50 yards or more. Only Gale Sayers (16) and Randy Moss (15) had more before age 25.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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