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We look at 10 of the best comebacks in National Football League history
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Some of the greatest NFL comebacks have occurred during the playoffs
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A major Super Bowl comeback features on this list…
There’s nothing quite like an underdog victory in the National Football League and the greatest NFL comebacks live long in the memory.
Outright Winner - Kansas City Chiefs
Whether it’s Week 1 of the regular season or the AFC Championship game, a comeback win can act as the catalyst for success – and it has done just that on so many occasions.
Greatest NFL Comebacks Of All-Time
Leading a team to victory in a Super Bowl is an incredible feat but inspiring an entire team from the depths of despair at half-time is the stuff of legend.
Tom Brady, one of the highest paid NFL players, was at the centre of the greatest NFL Super Bowl comeback as the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl LI.
While that success misses out on top spot here, it is undoubtedly the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history and the sheer scale of that triumph was unprecedented in sport.
The greatest sporting comebacks are based on drama and it doesn’t get more dramatic than the National Football League.
From fourth quarter comebacks to Super Bowl underdog stories, we’ve got you covered on the greatest NFL comebacks of all-time.
If you’re big into American football betting, chances are you’ll remember most of the games on this list. If not, then sit back and enjoy the 10 greatest NFL comebacks of all-time.
49ers vs Giants (2003)
One of many playoff games to feature on our greatest NFL comebacks list – and it is easy to see why this result makes the cut.
With the Giants up 38-14 with less than 25 minutes to go, most fans will have expected the head coach to make a change at quarterback.
However, Jeff Garcia was about to do the unthinkable. Given the green light to go aggressive on offense, Garcia led the 49ers to one of the great NFL comebacks in the blink of an eye.
With little over a minute remaining, Garcia threw a touchdown pass to Tai Streets to give the 49ers the lead and San Francisco advanced to the Divisional Weekend.
Lions vs Cowboys (2011)
It’s a shame NFL memes weren’t really a thing in 2011 as Tony Romo and the Cowboys would’ve been the butt of all jokes after this collapse.
With Dallas 27-3 up, Romo and co were cruising to victory before inexplicably throwing not one but TWO pick-sixes to gift the Lions a way back into the game.
The Cowboys added a field goal but Detroit were in the ascendency and Calvin Johnson, aka Megatron, bagged himself two touchdowns to put the Lions in front.
Romo’s confidence was shot and he had no answer in the closing stages of the game. It was a great comeback from the Lions but Dallas (and Romo in particular) threw that one away.
Broncos vs Chargers (2012)
A comeback win is always great for morale but it’s even better when it is against a divisional rival and that is exactly what happened in 2012.
The Chargers raced into a 24-0 lead but Denver weren’t about to lie down and accept defeat, especially not with Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning under center.
Manning was in a new scheme but that didn’t stop him from exploding in the second half, throwing three touchdown passes to get the Broncos back in the game.
There was no reply from the hosts and Denver ran out convincing winners in the end. This result was start of a run of 11 consecutive wins for the Broncos that year.
Browns vs Titans (2014)
A great NFL comeback involving the Browns? It seems hard to believe but Cleveland, led by Brian Hoyer, produced one of the team’s greatest performances in 2014.
With the Titans leading 28-3, Hoyer led the Browns to a touchdown score late in the second quarter and that gave the Dawg Pound faithful hope of a dramatic road win.
Travis Benjamin was key as the Browns built up momentum but it was the defence forcing a safety early in the fourth quarter that turned out to be the decisive moment.
At the time, it was the largest road comeback in NFL history and warrants a spot on any list of the greatest NFL comebacks.
Bills vs Colts (1997)
One of the greatest NFL comebacks but only the second best Buffalo Bills comeback – as you’ll find out later on…
The Colts raced into a 26-0 lead early in the second quarter but even that wasn’t enough to secure victory on this day in Buffalo.
The Bills, under intense pressure early on, suddenly clicked into gear and produced one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history – emerging victorious after a thrilling contest.
The Bills ran out 37-35 winners but it wasn’t exactly plain sailing. Antowain Smith was very effective with his touches, scoring three touchdowns on just 12 carries.
Cardinals vs Buccaneers (1987)
Way before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were Super Bowl contenders, they were regularly fighting to climb up the weekly NFL power rankings.
In 1987, Tampa found themselves in a rare position – much to the shock of NFL expert picks followers. The Buccaneers were 28-3 up approaching the fourth quarter…
However, the game was far from over. The Cardinals found a new lease of life, scoring four touchdowns late on to complete the greatest comeback in franchise history.
While some will suggest this was more of a collapse from the Buccaneers than a Cardinals comeback, that would be doing the St Louis team a disservice.
Patriots vs Falcons (Super Bowl LI)
I still can’t quite believe that the Falcons lost that game. The merchandise was being rolled out, some Patriots fans were leaving – Super Bowl LI was done.
However, the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead to hand Tom Brady another championship ring and that will undoubtedly go down as the greatest Super Bowl comeback of all-time.
The Patriots were on the ropes for the entire first half and they were still 28-9 down after scoring a touchdown late in the third quarter.
But that all changed in a sensational fourth quarter. The Patriots ran out 34-28 winners after a walk-off touchdown in overtime and the Falcons fans will never, ever forget that night.
Bills vs Oilers (1993)
And here is the second Bills comeback on the list – and many believe that this is the greatest NFL comeback of all-time, though it is only third for our writer.
It was the Wildcard Weekend and it was a spectacular contest, with the Bills coming back from 35-3 down in the third quarter to complete the biggest comeback in NFL history.
Quarterback Frank Reich threw four touchdown passes in the second half to drag the Bills back and it took until the fourth quarter for Buffalo to actually lead in the game.
While the Oilers threatened to go again, Buffalo held their nerve to win in overtime and secured a place at Super Bowl XXVII.
49ers vs Saints (1980)
The legendary Joe Montana, quite possibly the best quarterback to play the game, led the 49ers to one of the greatest NFL comebacks in 1980.
With the Saints leading 35-7 at half time, Montana put on an exhibition in the second half to lead the 49ers to an unlikely triumph.
The 49ers put up 31 points without reply and eventually won 38-35 in overtime, cementing their place on every NFL greatest comeback list for years to come.
While the 49ers slumped to a 6-10 record that year, the comeback was a sign of things to come as San Francisco went on to win four Super Bowls later in the decade.
Colts vs Chiefs (2014)
The Kansas City Chiefs were in a dominant position midway through the third quarter, having built up a 38-10 lead over the Indianapolis Colts.
However, Andrew Luck had other ideas and he showed why the Colts selected him with the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Firing the Colts to five second half touchdowns, including a miraculous fumble touchdown on the Chiefs goal-line, Luck defied sports betting odds to send the NFL world into shock.
While the Colts came unstuck against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, this success was widely touted as the greatest NFL comeback of all-time.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
