Two big trends are at work in the NFL: high-scoring games with lots of forward passes, and passing records fluttering down like autumn leaves.

Scoring is averaging 24 points per game, versus 21.7 per game last season and 21.3 points per game two decades ago. By late Sunday, 272 touchdown passes had been heave-hoed in the young season, an all-time record through week five—that was with Monday Night Football not yet played. Hurl that spheroid down the field!