Football fans love a good comeback. A big rally can turn a sad day into a happy one in minutes. In this article, I’ll walk you through the most unforgettable comebacks in NFL history. You’ll read about the biggest point swings, the playoff moments that left fans stunned, and the players and coaches who became legends because of those wins.
Biggest Comebacks by Points
Some NFL games are remembered for how far a team had to climb to win. Here are the top ones by points erased.
The largest comeback in NFL history happened on December 17, 2022. The Minnesota Vikings trailed the Indianapolis Colts 33–0 at halftime. The Vikings came back to win 39–36 in overtime when Greg Joseph kicked a 40-yard field goal. That 33-point rally is the biggest deficit anyone has ever erased in NFL play.
Before the Vikings’ miracle, the comeback most people talked about was the Buffalo Bills beating the Houston Oilers in the 1992 playoffs. On January 3, 1993, Buffalo was down 35–3 in the third quarter. The Bills rallied, forced overtime, and won 41–38. That 32-point comeback is still the largest in NFL playoff history. The game is often called simply “The Comeback.”
For decades, the biggest regular-season comeback belonged to the San Francisco 49ers on December 7, 1980. The 49ers trailed the New Orleans Saints 35–7 at halftime but scored 31 unanswered points and won 38–35 in overtime. That game helped make Joe Montana a household name.
The biggest comeback in a Super Bowl came on February 5, 2017. The New England Patriots trailed the Atlanta Falcons 28–3 late in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI. Tom Brady and the Patriots scored 31 straight points and won 34–28 in overtime.
Brady threw 43 completions for 466 yards, James White scored the winning touchdown, and Julian Edelman made a jaw-dropping catch. This is the largest comeback in Super Bowl history and one of the most replayed games ever.
Other big rallies also deserve a shout-out. In the 2013 season wild-card game (played Jan. 4, 2014), the Indianapolis Colts overcame a 28-point hole to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 45–44, the second-biggest playoff comeback at the time. And on Jan. 14, 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars erased a 27-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31–30 in overtime.
Big rallies like these are rare and dramatic because they need big plays, smart coaching, and sometimes a little luck.
Most Shocking Playoff and Super Bowl Comebacks
Playoffs and the Super Bowl raise the stakes. When a team comes back in those games, the moment becomes part of NFL lore.
The Bills vs. Oilers wild-card game from January 1993 is a playoff classic. Buffalo’s starting quarterback, Jim Kelly, was injured that day, so backup Frank Reich led the comeback. The Bills scored four touchdowns in the third quarter to erase a 32-point gap and then won 41–38 in overtime. Players, coaches, and fans still talk about how impossible that comeback felt while it was happening.
The Colts’ 45–44 win over the Chiefs on January 4, 2014, was another playoff shocker. Kansas City led 38–10 early in the third quarter. Andrew Luck and the Colts scored 35 points in the final 30 minutes to win by one. One highlight was Luck recovering a teammate’s fumble at the 2-yard line and diving into the end zone for a touchdown. That game is often listed among the top playoff comebacks ever.
Jacksonville’s January 2023 win over the Chargers also ranks high. The Jaguars trailed 27–0 with under two minutes left in the first half and still found a way to win 31–30 in overtime. Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdown passes and led the final drive in overtime. The Jags’ rally showed how momentum and halftime adjustments can flip a game.
Of course, the Super Bowl comeback by the Patriots in 2017 remains the most famous. Down 28–3, New England pulled off the biggest Super Bowl rally ever. Brady’s record-breaking night, Edelman’s catch, White’s overtime score, and Bill Belichick’s game plan all combined to create one of the greatest moments in NFL history.
Playoff comebacks are especially memorable because a single win moves a team closer to the title. When a team pulls a comeback in the postseason, it often changes how we remember players and coaches forever.
Comebacks That Defined Players and Teams
Some comebacks do more than win a game. They shape legacies. They change how fans and the media talk about teams and players.
Joe Montana’s 49ers comeback in 1980 put him on the map. He had been a young quarterback with potential. After that game, people started to see him as a clutch player who could lead a team in big moments. The 49ers went on to become one of the great teams of the 1980s.
Frank Reich, who led the Bills in the 1993 playoff comeback, used that moment as part of his long football story. Reich later became an NFL coach, and people often point to that game when they talk about his poise and leadership. The Bills’ Comeback showed how a backup quarterback can change history and how coaching and execution matter under pressure.
Tom Brady’s name is linked forever to the Super Bowl LI comeback. That single night added to his long list of big-game wins. Brady’s performance, plus coach Bill Belichick’s strategy and the Patriots’ will to keep fighting, made the comeback part of Brady’s legend.
The Colts’ comeback in 2014 made Andrew Luck an instant hero in Indianapolis. His passing, combined with his unforgettable fumble recovery touchdown, gave fans belief and boosted his reputation.
The Vikings’ 2022 rally changed that franchise’s season. It clinched the NFC North and gave Kirk Cousins one of the biggest wins of his career. A comeback like that shows how one night can rewrite a season’s story and give a team momentum when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest comeback in NFL history?
The largest comeback in NFL history is the Minnesota Vikings’ 33-point rally over the Indianapolis Colts on December 17, 2022. The Vikings trailed 33–0 at halftime and won 39–36 in overtime.
What is the biggest playoff comeback ever?
The biggest playoff comeback is the Buffalo Bills erasing a 32-point deficit to beat the Houston Oilers 41–38 in overtime on January 3, 1993. That game is known as “The Comeback.”
What is the biggest Super Bowl comeback?
The biggest Super Bowl comeback is the New England Patriots’ rally from 28–3 down to beat the Atlanta Falcons 34–28 in overtime at Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017. Tom Brady led the Patriots to that win.
How rare are huge comebacks?
Very rare — only a handful of teams in NFL history have won after trailing by 25 points or more. Even fewer have done it in the playoffs, where both teams are strong.
Do comebacks happen more now than before?
Not in a steady way. Offenses and rules have changed, making scoring easier, but the very biggest comebacks, 25 points or more, remain rare and special.
Which comeback mattered most to a team’s history?
That depends on the team. For Buffalo, the 1993 playoff comeback is a franchise touchstone. For New England, the Super Bowl LI win is a top-defining night. For the 49ers, Joe Montana’s 1980 rally helped launch their dynasty. Each team sees these comebacks as turning points.
Conclusion
- Comebacks are part of what makes football thrilling.
- They show the game’s drama, how one play can change everything.
- The Vikings, Bills, Patriots, Colts, Jaguars, 49ers, and many others gave fans unforgettable nights.
- These games are remembered not just for the final score, but for the grit, the big plays, and the belief shown by players and coaches.
- If you love football moments like these, you now have the key games to watch or re-watch.
- Each game tells a short story about not giving up and the thrill of a last-second win.
Read More
- NFL Players Who Overcame Career-Threatening Injuries To Make A Comeback
- How Jackie Robinson Changed American Sports Forever
- Greatest Super Bowl Moments That Shaped Football History
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
