40+ of the NFL’s Most Memorable Comebacks
Minnesota Vikings 39, Indianapolis Colts 36
On December 17th, 2022. Late in the third quarter, the Vikes were trailing the Colts by 36-7. But then, an unbelievable thing happened. Quarterback Kirk Cousins passed for 460 yards and four touchdowns, taking the play-off game into overtime. Greg Joseph’s 40-yard field goal snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with three seconds left on the clock in OT.
This shocking comeback saw Minnesota win the NFC North division in dramatic fashion. Overturning a 33-point deficit is the joint biggest comeback in NFL history.
Buffalo Bills 41, Houston Oilers 38
This 1993 NFL playoff game became known as The Comeback if you’re from Buffalo or The Choke if you’re from Houston. Oilers QB Warren Moon completed 19 of 22 passes for 220 yards and four first-half TDs to give his team a 35-3 lead. But after Buffalo defensive coordinator Walt Corey’s hairdryer halftime talk, the Bills stormed to a 38-35 fourth-quarter lead.
An Oilers field goal sent the game into overtime, but Buffalo emerged as winners by 41-38. The Comeback’s 32-point overhaul is the best turnaround in NFL history.
Indianapolis Colts 45, Kansas City Chiefs 44
In early 2014, the Chiefs led the Colts 38-10 as late as the third quarter. Then, KC’s QB Andrew Luck threw three touchdown passes in the final two quarters. Next, he picked up a Donald Brown fumble and pushed it into the end zone for 41-38. But then Kansas scored a field goal to make it 44-38…
Then, Luck arrowed a 64-yard pass downfield to wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who scored, helping the Colts pluck a crazy AFC wild-card victory from out of nowhere.
San Francisco 49ers 38, New Orleans Saints 35
This December 1980 match-up was the game that made Joe Montana. The Niners trailed by 28 points in the third quarter. But then, Joe Cool made a 71-yard touchdown pass to Dwight Clark, followed by a 14-yard TD pass to Freddie Solomon. San Fran came storming back to tie the game at 35 in regulation, and a Ray Wersching field goal snatched victory in overtime.
It was, at the time, the biggest NFL comeback ever. 49ers coach Bill Walsh said the win produced “absolute euphoria,” and Montana became a living legend.
Everyone loves to see a team snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, so we’ve compiled a list of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. From Tom Brady inspiring a stunning Patriots comeback against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI to The Monday Night Miracle and a second Miracle at the Meadowlands. So strap yourselves in, as you’re going to be on the edge of your seats!