So the NFL is boasting that average scoring is at a 44-year high through five weekends of the 2002 season, with teams combining for 45.7 points per game. Much of the explosion can be attributed to offenses throwing the ball a mind-boggling 58 percent of the snaps, right?

Well, much, but not all.

In a season when Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks currently has three times as many touchdowns as Bucs wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, and Oakland return ace Terry Kirby already has two runbacks for scores, the defensive and special teams units have joined the points parade. Through the first 74 games of the year, there have been 394 touchdowns leaguewide, and 43 of them have been of the non-offensive variety.

More than ever before, it seems, defenses and special teams are making the most of their scoring opportunities.

	Chad Morton's two returns for TDs led to the Jets' lone victory so far.

"We've always talked about scoring as a defense, always stressed it, but this year has been incredible," said Brooks, who has scored three times so far on interception returns. "You watch SportsCenter on Sunday night and it seems like there's always somebody running in an interception or a fumble. Players are all thinking 'score,' you know, when they get their hands on the ball."

That kind of "take it to the house" mentality has resulted in every manner of non-offensive scoring in 2002, including four safeties, and, of course, the record 107-yard return of a missed field goal by Baltimore cornerback Chris McAlister two weeks ago.

McAlister acknowledged that, in the past, he likely would have kneeled in the end zone and let the first half expire in the win over the Denver Broncos. But with virtually no time remaining on the clock, with what amounted to a free play, he quickly decided the reward overshadowed the risk.

"And," he allowed, "there's been so much (non-offensive) scoring already this year, I figured, 'Hey, why not?' "

Why not, indeed, given the sudden propensity of scoring by players who are typically unaccustomed to locating the end zone.

Counting the four safeties recorded by defenses, teams have combined for 47 non-offensive scoring plays in 2002. All but six teams -- Atlanta, Kansas City, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St. Louis -- have at least one non-offensive score. Tampa Bay has six, including a safety and five touchdowns. The Oakland Raiders have five touchdown returns: one punt, two kickoffs and two interceptions.

In the last two weeks alone, Raiders rookie cornerback Phillip Buchanon has two touchdowns -- a punt return and an interception runback. "My feeling," said Buchanon, "is that I am not going to stop running until I have crossed the (goal) line."

Such sentiment is rampant among defenders and special teams players, and it is reflected in the myriad methods for scoring this season.

In addition to the four safeties and McAlister's return of Jason Elam's miss on a 57-yard field-goal attempt, there have been 21 interception returns for touchdowns and eight fumble recoveries returned for scores. Seven punt returns and six kickoff returns have resulted in touchdowns.

At the current pace, there would be 73 interceptions for scores this entire season, compared to just 59 for the 2001 season. There were 12 punt returns and 10 kickoff runbacks for touchdowns a year ago. Players are on pace this year to score 21 touchdowns on kickoff returns and 24 on punt runbacks, and that could well occur, given the overall shoddy play of kick coverage units leaguewide.

In what could be a record season for scoring, everyone wants in on the act, and it's obvious that the current binge is related to more than just explosive offenses. The bizarre bent began in the opening week, when Saints rookie linebacker James Allen ended an overtime thriller with Tampa Bay by intercepting a pass in the end zone.

The pass, it should be recalled, was by Bucs punter Tom Tupa, an erstwhile quarterback at times during his career. That same week, the New York Jets defeated the Buffalo Bills in overtime when Chad Morton had his second kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening play of the extra period.

Right then and there, some coaches agree, everyone should have been served notice of what was to transpire.

"When the football is up in the air," said Raiders free safety Rod Woodson, "anything and everything is possible. And this year is bearing that out."

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.