Comebacks are the lifeblood of the NFL. No matter how big the deficit, the league has shown time and again that no lead is ever truly safe. Fans live for those dramatic turnarounds where a quarterback refuses to quit, a defense makes key stops, and history is written in real time. So, what is the best comeback in NFL history? Let’s dive into the most legendary comebacks ever seen on the gridiron.
The Greatest Comeback: Bills vs. Oilers (1993)
When football fans debate the best comeback in NFL history, one game almost always takes the crown — the 1993 AFC Wild Card matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers.
- Date: January 3, 1993
- Deficit: Bills trailed 35–3 early in the third quarter
- Final Score: Buffalo 41, Houston 38 (OT)
Backup quarterback Frank Reich led the Bills to an improbable rally, throwing four touchdown passes in the second half. The Bills scored 38 points after halftime and stunned the Oilers in overtime. It remains the largest comeback in NFL history (32 points) and is universally referred to as “The Comeback.”
Other Legendary NFL Comebacks
1. Super Bowl LI: Patriots vs. Falcons (2017)
No list is complete without the 28–3 game. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were down 28–3 late in the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. What followed was a masterclass in resilience: Brady threw for a then–Super Bowl record 466 yards, the Pats forced key turnovers, and James White sealed it with the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Final: Patriots 34, Falcons 28 — the greatest Super Bowl comeback ever.
2. 49ers vs. Saints (1980)
In December 1980, the San Francisco 49ers trailed the New Orleans Saints 35–7 at halftime. A young Joe Montana led San Francisco all the way back, tying the game at 35 before winning in overtime, 38–35. It was a glimpse into Montana’s legendary ability to deliver under pressure.
3. Colts vs. Buccaneers (2003, Monday Night Football)
Peyton Manning and the Colts were down 35–14 with less than four minutes left against the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. In a furious rally, Manning engineered three quick touchdown drives to tie the game. The Colts eventually won 38–35 in overtime, making it one of the most shocking Monday Night Football comebacks ever.
4. Vikings vs. Colts (2022)
On December 17, 2022, the Minnesota Vikings pulled off the largest comeback in NFL regular-season history. Down 33–0 at halftime against the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 460 yards and four touchdowns to complete a 39–36 overtime victory.
Why NFL Comebacks Capture Fans’ Hearts
Comebacks embody what makes the NFL great:
- Unpredictability: No game is ever truly over.
- Clutch Performances: Legends are made when the pressure is highest.
- Emotional Highs and Lows: Fans go from despair to euphoria in minutes.
Final Word
The best comeback in NFL history still belongs to the Buffalo Bills’ 32-point rally against the Oilers in 1993. But Super Bowl LI and other iconic games prove the NFL has no shortage of unforgettable turnarounds. Each comeback cements the league’s reputation as the most thrilling sports stage in the world.