Top 10 Biggest Comebacks in NFL History: From Defeat to Victory
The NFL is a league of drama, where momentum swings can shift the tide of a game in a matter of seconds, or in this case, yards and downs. But nothing can bring fans to the edge of their seats and leave NFL betting fans speechless like a monumental comeback.
Those improbable victories where a team stares defeat in the face, only to claw their way back to an unlikely win.
These are the moments that define legends and etch themselves into sporting history. Now, before we talk about the top 10 biggest comebacks in NFL history, remember this is history we’re talking about. Some feelings might be hurt, but it’s not anybody’s fault that each game’s losing teams couldn’t pull their weight better.
They at least gave us a reason to talk about some of the league’s most thrilling games. So, let’s get to it.
Top 10 Biggest Comebacks in NFL History
1. The Minneapolis Miracle (2017 NFC Divisional Round): Minnesota Vikings 29, New Orleans Saints 24
I’m not a man of many guarantees, but show any football fan the final play of this game, and you’ll see their face automatically light up. Unless they’re Saints fans, of course. It’s probably listed in every list depicting some of the best NFL games of all time; if you want to talk about miracles, let’s talk about the “Minneapolis Miracle.”
With 10 seconds left and the Vikings trailing 24-23, Case Keenum launched a prayer downfield. Stefon Diggs leaped, made the catch, somehow stayed in bounds, and raced to the end zone for a walk-off touchdown as time expired. This improbable play sent the Vikings to the NFC Championship and instantly became one of the greatest comebacks in NFL playoff history.
2. Super Bowl LI (2017): New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28 (OT)
If there were an award for choking, the Falcons would lose that, considering their performance in Super Bowl LI.
Down 28-3 in the third quarter, Tom Brady and the Patriots engineered the biggest Super Bowl comeback ever. Brady threw for a Super Bowl record 466 yards, and James White scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime. This epic comeback cemented Brady’s legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, all while giving Falcons fans a reason to have perennial PTSD moving forward.
3. The Comeback (1993 AFC Wild Card Round): Buffalo Bills 41, Houston Oilers 38 (OT)
The Buffalo Bills, led by backup quarterback Frank Reich, trailed the Houston Oilers 35-3 early in the third quarter. Reich threw for four touchdowns, including the game-tying score with 12 seconds left in regulation. The Bills went on to win in overtime, completing the largest comeback in NFL history at the time.
4. River City Relay (2003 AFC Wild Card Round): Indianapolis Colts 38, Kansas City Chiefs 31
Let me set the scene. The Colts were down 38-10 in the third quarter against the Chiefs. Peyton Manning then orchestrated a furious rally, throwing three touchdowns and leading the Colts to 28 unanswered points. This comeback remains the largest comeback in NFL playoff history regarding points overcome.
5. Monday Night Miracle (2000): New York Jets 40, Miami Dolphins 37 (OT)
In the 2000 matchup dubbed the “Monday Night Miracle,” my New York Jets staged an incredible comeback against the Miami Dolphins, overcoming a 30-7 deficit in the fourth quarter to win 40-37 in overtime.
Led by Vinny Testaverde, who threw surgical touchdown passes, the Jets secured the victory, marking one of the most memorable comebacks in NFL history. This game is remembered for its dramatic turn of events, scoring, and significance in one of the most intense NFL rivalries.
6. Epic in Miami (1980): San Diego Chargers 41, Miami Dolphins 38 (OT)
The former San Diego Chargers trailed the Dolphins 35-21 in the fourth quarter in a back-and-forth game with wild momentum swings. Dan Fouts threw for 433 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-tying score with less than a minute left. The Chargers won in overtime, completing one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.
7. The Drive (1987 AFC Championship Game): Denver Broncos 23, Cleveland Browns 20 (OT)
When looking for career-defining moments, John Elway surely has something to say. Down 20-13 with 5:32 left in the game, Elway led the Broncos on a 98-yard drive to tie the game. Denver won in overtime, advancing to the Super Bowl in a game that showcased Elway’s clutch performance and cemented “The Drive” as an iconic moment in NFL history.
8. Fourth and 26 (2004 NFC Divisional Round): Philadelphia Eagles 20, Green Bay Packers 17 (OT)
Remember the early 2000’s Philadelphia Eagles? Tell me that wasn’t one of the most fun teams to watch on the field. Facing fourth-and-26 with 1:12 left in the game, Donovan McNabb connected with Freddie Mitchell for a miraculous first down. The Eagles tied the game on a field goal and won in overtime, advancing to the NFC Championship in a game that will forever be remembered for that improbable fourth-down conversion.
9. Miracle at the Meadowlands II (2010): Philadelphia Eagles 38, New York Giants 31
Yes, Philly again, because if a team knows a thing or two about comebacks, it’s the Eagles.
They were trailing the Giants 31-10 with 8 minutes left. Michael Vick then led a furious comeback, throwing a touchdown and running for another. DeSean Jackson’s punt return for a touchdown as time expired completed the improbable comeback and etched this game into NFL history.
10. Brett Favre’s Revenge (2009): Minnesota Vikings 38, Green Bay Packers 23
In his first game against his former team, Brett Favre led the Vikings back from a 24-14 deficit in the fourth quarter. Favre threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner with 2 seconds left. This comeback once again showcased Favre’s late-game magic and added another chapter to his legendary career before he learned how to take pictures with his phone.
What Was the Largest Comeback in NFL History?
The Minnesota Vikings authored the greatest comeback in NFL history during Week 15 of the 2022 season, overcoming a staggering 33-point deficit to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 39-36 in overtime.
The comeback began when the Vikings trailed 36-7 with 4:53 remaining in the third quarter. They eventually scored 39 unanswered points. Former Minnesota passer Kirk Cousins orchestrated this masterpiece by throwing four touchdown passes in the second half, while the Vikings’ defense completely shut down Matt Ryan and the Colts’ offense.
What is the Greatest Comeback in the NFL Playoffs?
As mentioned, Buffalo’s legendary “The Comeback” against the Oilers in 1993 remains the biggest comeback in NFL playoff history. Backup quarterback Frank Reich, filling in for injured Jim Kelly, led the Bills back from a 35-3 deficit to win 41-38 in overtime. Reich threw four touchdown passes in the second half, three of which went to Andre Reed, while the Bills’ defense forced crucial turnovers to complete the 32-point turnaround14.
What is the Biggest Win in NFL History?
The Chicago Bears’ 73-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game stands as the most lopsided win in league history.
The Bears’ dominance was so complete that officials asked them to stop kicking extra points because too many footballs were lost in the crowd. If only those Bears could see how their team is being manhandled nowadays.
What is the Greatest Comeback in Super Bowl History?
As mentioned in the list and remembered by every football fan, New England’s rally from a 28-3 deficit against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI represents the best comeback in Super Bowl history.
Tom Brady led the Patriots to 31 unanswered points, including a touchdown and two-point conversion in the final minute of regulation to force the first overtime in Super Bowl history. James White’s touchdown run in overtime completed the 25-point comeback and secured the Patriots’ fifth championship. It was a great day to be a Patriots fan, and it was the worst day in Falcons history all in one.
What’s the Biggest Comeback in Football?
While the Vikings hold the NFL record, college football has seen its share of incredible comebacks. The 2006 Michigan State Spartans orchestrated the largest comeback in NCAA Division I history, erasing a 35-point deficit against Northwestern to win 41-387.
What Was the Biggest Blowout in NFL History?
Again, the 1940 NFL Championship Game between the Bears and Washington (73-0) remains the most lopsided victory in league history and, of course, the game with the best point differential in NFL history.
More recently, the Miami Dolphins’ 70-20 triumph over the Denver Broncos in 2023 demonstrated that even in the modern era, games can become extremely lopsided when one team executes perfectly while the other plays as Denver did.
What is the Largest Blown Lead in NFL Playoff History?
Houston’s collapse against the Bills in 1993 is the largest blown lead in NFL playoff history. After building a 35-3 advantage, the Oilers watched helplessly as Reich and the Bills mounted their historic 32-point comeback. If anything, let this game serve as a cautionary tale about maintaining focus and intensity throughout all four quarters.
