The NFL playoffs are unpredictable at the best of times. Momentum often swings back and forth during the postseason and only the best can prevail.
Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to an incredible success over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round but how does that feat rank against other playoff comeback stories?
Scroll down for the latest NFL betting odds, tips and news and thoughts on the greatest comebacks in playoff history. Who knows, we could be set for more drama in the coming weeks…
Bills 41-38 Oilers (1993)
If you think Houston’s loss to the Chiefs was bad, take a look at the city’s previous franchise losing to the Bills in 1993. This was – and still is to this day – the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history, with the Bills coming back from 32 points down midway through the third quarter.
With Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly out injured, the onus was on backup Frank Reich to lead the Bills to the Super Bowl. Trailing by 32 points in the third quarter, Reich threw four touchdown passes in those final 22 minutes to lead the Bills to a famous overtime victory.
Reich led the Bills to a road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers before resuming his backup role after Kelly’s return in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, the Bills crumbled against the Dallas Cowboys but that triumph over the Oilers will live long in the memory of NFL fans.
49ers 39-38 Giants (2003)
With just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, San Francisco found themselves trailing by 24 points. The outlook was bleak but Jeff Garcia was able to lead the 49ers to an incredible comeback. One of the first dual-threat quarterbacks of his kind, Garcia was just as impressive as a runner as he was in the pocket.
The legendary Terrell Owens caught nine passes for 177 yards, two touchdowns and two two-point conversions in that triumph. This is one of those memorable NFL playoff wins that is still talked about today; it was an absolute joy to watch.
Can Jimmy Garoppolo lead San Francisco to Super Bowl glory in 2020? A mouth-watering clash with the Kansas City Chiefs awaits and punters can find the latest NFL tips and news via the 888sport blog ahead of Super Bowl LIV.
Colts 45-44 Chiefs (2014)
Now retired at the age of 29, Andrew Luck always looked destined for greatness. Luck was the man tasked with the impossible job of replacing the great Peyton Manning but he did a pretty good job for the majority of his short NFL career.
Back in 2014, he was involved in a playoff shootout game with Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith. Poor quarterback play in the first half gave the Chiefs an opportunity to build a lead and the Colts quickly found themselves trailing by 28 points. It was down to Luck and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton to get Indianapolis back in the game…
13 catches, 224 yards and a winning touchdown later, Hilton and Luck had completed a miraculous turnaround. The Lucas Oil Stadium crowd were jubilant and that Luck ‘fumble’ touchdown still features on NFL playoff highlight reels five years later.
Patriots 34-28 Falcons (2017)
In one of the greatest Super Bowls of all-time, the Patriots came from behind to break the hearts of Atlanta Falcons fans around the world. With New England trailing 28-3 in the third quarter, many believed that Atlanta had done enough to prevail to claim their first Super Bowl success.
However, what most NFL fans had failed to remember was: Atlanta were playing against the New England Patriots. Arguably the best dynasty in NFL history, the Patriots produced one of the greatest comebacks in sport to clinch their second Super Bowl in three years.
Tom Brady received plenty of plaudits but it was James White’s impact as a receiver that really gave New England the edge. White finished with 14 catches for 110 yards and the go-ahead touchdown late in the game. It was one of the great individual NFL playoff performances.
Chiefs 51-31 Texans (2020)
We couldn’t not have Kansas City’s victory on this list. Houston raced into a 24-0 lead early in the second quarter after a nightmare start for the Chiefs – turnovers and a muffed punt gifted good field position to the Texans who duly obliged to build a commanding lead.
However, it wasn’t commanding enough. With the Chiefs reeling, Texans head coach Bill O’Brien opted to kick a field goal on fourth and 1 while on the Kansas City 13-yard line. A touchdown could’ve crushed the Chiefs but holding Houston to a field goal was a win.
From there, the momentum shifted. Mahomes was unbelievable for the rest of the game, throwing five touchdown passes en route to a mammoth success. It marked only the third time in NFL history that a team won by 20 points after previously trailing by 20 points and the first time in the NFL playoffs.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Jeff Roberson / AP Photo*
