After trouncing the Buffalo Bills last week, 56-10, the 10-0 New England Patriots are averaging 41.1 points per game. The Patriots have scored fewer than 34 points in a game only once all season, and they’ve scored at least 48 in four of their last five victories.

That 41.1-points-per-game average would be an NFL record, as the Patriots are on course to break the league’s single-season scoring mark by more than 100 points.

With six games remaining, a perfect season is within New England’s reach. Sunday night’s matchup with the Eagles may provide little drama, as Philadelphia will be without quarterback Donovan McNabb. The two stiffest challenges remaining for the Patriots may be the Steelers on Dec. 9 and the season finale against the Giants on Dec. 29.

Perfect season or not, the Patriots clearly are the team to beat in the playoffs. Although they look unbeatable, leading the league in points in the era of the 16-game schedule has rarely translated into winning the Super Bowl.

Most Regular-Season Points, Single Season All-Time
(with season result)

Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Result
1998 Vikings. . . . . . . . . . .556. . . . . . . . . . Lost NFC title game
1983 Redskins. . . . . . . . . .541. . . . . . . . . . Lost Super Bowl XVIII
2000 Rams. . . . . . . . . . . . 540. . . . . . . . . . Lost wild card game
1999 Rams. . . . . . . . . . . . 526. . . . . . . . . . Won Super Bowl XXXIV
2004 Colts. . . . . . . . . . . . 522. . . . . . . . . . Lost div. playoff game