When merely counting the start and end points, an offense can go no more than 99 yards on any single drive. However, when penalties are enforced, it’s actually possible for an offense to gain more than 100 yards in the same drive.
In 2019, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes accounted for all 116 yards on a touchdown drive that started at the Chiefs 9-yard line. This was not enough to eclipse the modern-era record holder, as Steve DeBerg threw for 120 yards on a touchdown drive in 1993. Both were in losing efforts.
Also see: Longest NFL drives by duration.
Longest NFL drives by total yardage, 1981-2019
Minimum 110 yards
| Team | Date | Opponent | Yds Gain | Pen Yds | Plays-Yards | Drive Start | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAC | 10/7/2018 | OAK | 121 | −25 | 8-96 | Own 4 | TD | Paid attendance: 25,362 |
| MIA | 12/5/1993 | NYG | 120 | −30 | 14-90 | Own 10 | TD | Steve DeBerg passed for all 120 yards on the drive. |
| NYG | 11/19/2000 | DET | 120 | −40 | 17-80 | Own 20 | TD | Kerry Collins passed for 117 yards, ran for 12, and was sacked for −9. Three days after the loss, Jim Fassel shoved his chips to the middle of the table. |
| PHI | 9/14/2015 | @ATL | 120 | −25 | 13-95 | Own 5 | TD | |
| GB | 10/24/1999 | @SD | 119 | −20 | 14-99 | Own 1 | TD | |
| WAS | 9/24/2006 | @HOU | 117 | −35 | 10-82 | Own 18 | TD | Drive included passes 8 through 14 of Mark Brunell’s record 22 straight completion streak. |
| KC | 10/13/2019 | HOU | 116 | −25 | 6-91 | Own 9 | TD | Patrick Mahomes passed for all 116 yards on the drive. |
| SD | 11/30/1997 | DEN | 115 | −17 | 25-98 | Own 2 | TD | Craig Whelihan for the drive: 11/21, 109 yards, 1 sack. |
| TB | 10/6/2003 | IND | 115 | −30 | 12-85 | Own 15 | TD | The Colts later came back from 35-14 down with 5:09 left. |
| HOU | 10/2/2011 | PIT | 115 | −20 | 19-95 | Own 5 | TD | |
| CLE | 11/15/1992 | SD | 114 | −15 | 10-99 | Own 1 | TD | |
| DAL | 1/15/1995 NFC CHAMP |
@SF | 114 | −25 | 14-89 | Own 11 | TD | The Cowboys ran on 4 of their first 5 plays despite being down 17 in the 4th quarter. |
| WAS | 10/31/1983 | @SD | 113 | −20 | 12-93 | Own 7 | TD | Video |
| SEA | 9/29/2013 | @HOU | 113 | −15 | 14-98 | Own 2 | TD | |
| PHI | 12/20/2014 | @WAS | 113 | −20 | 15-93 | Own 7 | TD | |
| NO | 12/17/2001 | STL Rams | 112 | −35 | 9-77 | Own 23 | TD | |
| PHI | 11/17/2002 | ARI | 112 | −30 | 17-82 | Own 18 | TD | |
| PIT | 12/31/2006 | @CIN | 112 | −15 | 14-97 | Own 1 | Fumble | Willie Parker’s fumble on the 2 was recovered by Cincinnati in the end zone. |
| CLE | 10/13/2008 | NYG | 112 | −26 | 14-86 | Own 13 | TD | First loss for the defending Super Bowl champions, who would start the season 11-1. |
| DAL | 9/5/2012 | @NYG | 112 | −30 | 8-82 | Own 18 | TD | TD scored on 1st & 30; first NFL game played on a Wednesday since 1948. |
| NO | 1/13/2019 NFC DIV |
PHI | 112 | −20 | 18-92 | Own 8 | TD | |
| TB | 12/9/2001 | DET | 111 | −20 | 11-91 | Own 9 | TD | |
| ATL | 10/12/2014 | CHI | 111 | −25 | 7-86 | Own 14 | TD | |
| OAK | 11/5/2017 | @MIA | 111 | −30 | 6-81 | Own 19 | TD | |
| SF | 1/3/1982 NFC DIV |
NYG | 110 | −25 | 13-85 | Own 15 | TD | First playoff drive of Joe Montana’s career; drive extended by Giants holding before 4th & 23 punt. |
| MIN | 11/30/1986 | TB | 110 | −20 | 13-90 | Own 10 | TD | |
| NYG | 12/27/1987 | NYJ | 110 | −15 | 16-95 | Own 5 | TD | |
| TEN Oilers | 11/27/1997 TH’GIVING |
@DAL | 110 | −20 | 21-90 | Own 9 | FG | The longest drive (by time) in modern NFL history. |
| MIN | 11/1/1998 | @TB | 110 | −20 | 12-90 | Own 10 | TD | Minnesota’s only loss of the regular season. |
| IND | 10/27/2002 | @WAS | 110 | −15 | 14-95 | Own 5 | TD | |
| DAL | 11/24/2002 | JAX | 110 | −11 | 13-99 | Own 1 | TD | |
| BUF | 9/7/2003 | NE | 110 | −20 | 15-90 | Own 10 | TD | The Lawyer Milloy revenge game; drive extended by Patriots holding before 4th & 30 punt. |
| PIT | 10/7/2007 | SEA | 110 | −30 | 17-80 | Own 20 | TD | |
| BAL | 12/5/2010 | PIT | 110 | −18 | 10-92 | Own 8 | TD | |
| DAL | 10/14/2012 | @BAL | 110 | −30 | 18-80 | Own 20 | TD | Dallas threw an incompletion on the 2-point conversion that would have tied the game, recovered the ensuing onside kick, then missed the game-winning 51-yard FG. |
