Greatest Comebacks in NFL History | Pro Football Hall of Fame (2024)

Although tonight's (Feb. 5th, 2017) Super Bowl LI comeback victory of 25 points by the New England Patriots against the Atlanta Falcons might not be the largest comeback in NFL postseason history, it was certainly an instant classic and can be considered one of the greatest games ever played.

Many thrilling finishes over the history of the National Football League have proven the adage “it ain’t over til it’s over” is so true. Here is a look at the greatest comebacks in NFL history.

Regular Season | Postseason

Regular Season Games

Joe Montana became synonymous with “comeback” during his Hall of Fame career. Perhaps none of his heroics were finer than this day when he led the 49ers back by scoring on a 1-yard run, connecting on a 71-yard bomb and added another TD pass to rally San Fran from a 35-7 halftime deficit.

San Francisco 49ers - From 28 points behind to win:

Dec. 7, 1980 at San Francisco

Saints - Harris 33 pass from Manning (Ricardo kick)
Saints - Childs 21 pass from Manning (Ricardo kick)
Saints - Holmes 1 run (Ricardo kick)
49ers - Solomon 57 punt return (Wersching kick)
Saints - Holmes 1 run (Ricardo kick)
Saints - Harris 41 pass from Manning (Ricardo kick)
49ers - Montana 1 run (Wersching kick)
49ers - Clark 71 pass from Montana (Wersching kick)
49ers - Solomon 14 pass from Montana (Wersching kick)
49ers - Elliott 7 run (Wersching kick)
49ers - FG Wersching 36

Bills running back Antowain Smith helped lead Buffalo back from a 26-0 deficit late in the first half. He led the charge by gaining 129 yards on the ground and scored 3 second half TDs as the Bills posted the second best comeback ever in regular season.

Buffalo Bills - From 26 points behind to win:

Sept. 21, 1997 at Buffalo

Colts - Bailey 10 pass from Harbaugh (Blanchard kick)
Colts - Faulk 10 run (Blanchard kick)
Colts - FG Blanchard 39
Colts - FG Blanchard 36
Colts - FG Blanchard 49
Colts - FG Blanchard 22
Bills - Johnson 16 pass from Collins (Christie kick)
Bills - FG Christie 27
Bills - A. Smith 15 run (2-pt attempt failed)
Colts - FG Blanchard 25
Bills - Early 4 pass from Collins (Christie kick)
Bills - A. Smith 1 run (Christie kick)
Bills - A. Smith 54 run (Christie kick)
Colts- Harrison 2 pass from Justin (2-pt attempt failed)

New England Patriots - From25 pointsbehind to win:

Super Bowl LI - Feb. 5, 2017 at Houston

Falcons - D.Freeman 5 yd. run (M.Bryant kick)
Falcons - A.Hooper 19 yd. pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick)
Falcons - R.Alford 82 yd. interception return (M.Bryant kick)
Patriots - S.Gostkowski 41 yd. Field Goal
Falcons - T.Coleman 6 yd. pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick)
Patriots - J.White 5 yd. pass from T.Brady (kick failed, hru)
Patriots - S.Gostkowski 33 yd. Field Goal
Patriots - D.Amendola 6 yd. pass from T.Brady (J.White run)
Patriots - J.White 1 yd. run (T.Brady-D.Amendola pass)

St. Louis Cardinals - From 25 points behind to win:

The Cardinals, playing their last season in St. Louis, thrilled Busch Stadium fans with a comeback for the ages. Trailing 28-3 in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals stormed back to stun the Buccaneers. Wide receiver J.T. Smith was on the receiving end of two TD strikes from Neil Lomax to lead his team to victory.

Nov. 8, 1987 at St. Louis

Buccaneers - Carrier 5 pass from DeBerg (Igwebuike kick)
Buccaneers - Carter 3 pass from DeBerg (Igwebuike kick)
Cardinals- FG Gallery 31
Buccaneers - Smith 34 pass from DeBerg (Igwebuike kick)
Buccaneers - Smith 3 run (Igwebuike kick)
Cardinals - Awalt 4 pass from Lomax (Gallery kick)
Cardinals - Noga 23 fumble recovery (Gallery kick)
Cardinals - J. Smith 11 pass from Lomax (Gallery kick)
Cardinals - J. Smith 17 pass from Lomax (Gallery kick)

Trailing 28-3 in the second quarter, Browns QBBrian Hoyer began the biggest road comeback in NFLhistory with a TDpass to tight end Jim Dray to end the half. The defense tightened up, garnering a safety, three punts and a turnover on downs, allowing the offense to chip away at the lead. Hoyer fired two of his three TDstrikes, including the game-winner, to third-year wide receiver Travis Benjamin.

Cleveland Browns - From 25 points behind to win:

Oct. 5, 2014 at Tennessee

Titans - Wright 11 pass from Locker (Succop kick)
Titans - Locker 11 run (Succop kick)
Browns - FGCundiff 38
Titans - Wright 11 pass from Whitehurst (Succop kick)
Titans - Hunter 75 pass from Whitehurst (Succop kick)
Browns - Dray 1 pass from Hoyer (Cundiff kick)
Browns - Punt blocked by Carder out of bounds in end zone for safety
Browns - Benjamin 17 from Hoyer (Cundiff kick)
Browns - Benjamin 6 from Hoyer (Cundiff kick)

Eagles QB Tommy Thompson threw two first half interceptions which led directly to 10 Washington points. Philadelphia began the second half trailing 24-0 before Thompson’s arm warmed up. The Eagles scored 28 unanswered points as Thompson fired three second half TDs including the game-winner with 90 seconds left.

Philadelphia Eagles - From 24 points behind to win:

Oct. 27, 1946 at Washington

Redskins - Rosato 2 run (Poillon kick)
Redskins - FG Poillon 28
Redskins - Rosato 4 run (Poillon kick)
Redskins - Lapka recovered fumble in end zone (Poillon kick)
Eagles - Steele 1 run (Lio kick)
Eagles - Pritchard 45 pass from Thompson (Lio kick)
Eagles - Steinke 7 pass from Thompson (Lio kick)
Eagles - Ferrante 30 pass from Thompson (Lio kick)

The Lions walked off the Briggs Stadium field to a thunderous ovation after Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne led a wild comeback to upset Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts. Layne hit “Hopalong” Cassidy for the game-winning touchdown pass with 45 seconds to play.

Detroit Lions - From 24 points behind to win:

Oct. 20, 1957 at Detroit

Colts - Mutscheller 15 pass from Unitas (Rechichar kick)
Lions - FG Martin 47
Colts - Moore 72 pass from Unitas (Rechichar kick)
Colts - Mutscheller 52 pass from Unitas (Rechichar kick)
Colts - Moore 4 pass from Unitas (kick failed)
Lions - Junker 14 pass from Rote (Layne kick)
Lions - Cassady 26 pass from Layne (Layne kick)
Lions - Johnson 1 run (Layne kick)
Lions - Cassady 29 pass from Layne (Layne kick)

The Eagles trailed 24-0 early in the third quarter to the “host” Cardinals before a tandem of future Hall of Famers – QB Norm Van Brocklin and WR Tommy McDonald took matters into their own hands.

Philadelphia Eagles - From 24 points behind to win:

Oct. 25, 1959 at Minneapolis

Cardinals - Crow 10 pass from Roach (Conrad kick)
Cardinals - J. Hill 77 blocked field goal return (Conrad kick)
Cardinals - FG Conrad 15
Cardinals - Lane 37 interception return (Conrad kick)
Eagles - Barnes 1 run (Walston kick)
Eagles - McDonald 29 pass from Van Brocklin (Walston kick)
Eagles - Barnes 2 run (Walston kick)
Eagles - McDonald 22 pass from Van Brocklin (Walston kick)

QB Frank Tripucka woke up the Broncos offense late in the third quarter and took just 18 minutes to erase the Patriots 24-point lead. Tripucka fired four touchdown passes on the day to lead the comeback win during the AFL’s inaugural season.

Denver Broncos - From 24 points behind to win:

Oct. 23, 1960 at Denver

Patriots - FG Cappelletti 12
Patriots - Colclough 10 pass from Songin (Cappelletti kick)
Patriots - Wells 6 pass from Songin (Cappelletti kick)
Patriots - Miller 47 pass from Songin (Cappelletti kick)
Broncos - Carmichael 21 pass from Tripucka (Mingo kick)
Broncos - Jessup 19 pass from Tripucka (Mingo kick)
Broncos - Carmichael 35 lateral from Taylor, pass from Tripucka (Mingo kick)
Broncos - Taylor 8 pass from Tripucka (Mingo kick)
Broncos - FG Mingo 9

The Dolphins had already secured a division championship heading into their final regular season game against the divisional rival Patriots. As such, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and many other regulars did not play. Although the Patriots sprinted to an early 24-0 lead, backup quarterback Earl Morrall and running back Don Nottingham each contributed two TDs to lift the Dolphins to a 34-27 comeback win.

Miami Dolphins - From 24 points behind to win:

Dec. 15, 1974 at Miami

Patriots - Hannah recovered fumble in end zone (J. Smith kick)
Patriots - Sanders 23 interception return (J. Smith kick)
Patriots - Herron 4 pass from Plunkett (J. Smith kick)
Patriots - FG J. Smith 46
Dolphins - Nottingham 1 run (Yepremian kick)
Dolphins - Baker 37 pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick)
Dolphins - FG Yepremian 28
Dolphins - Baker 46 pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick)
Patriots- FG J. Smith 34
Dolphins - Nottingham 2 run (Yepremian kick)
Dolphins - FG Yepremian 40

San Fran led 24-0 midway through the third quarter. The Vikings, trailing 24-7 entering the fourth quarter, brought rookie QB Tommy Kramer off the bench. He responded with three fourth quarter TD passes including the game-winning 69-yarder to Sammy White with 1:38 to play.

Minnesota Vikings - From 24 points behind to win:

Dec. 4, 1977 at Minnesota

49ers - Delvin Williams 2 run (Wersching kick)
49ers- FG Wersching 31
49ers - Dave Williams 80 kickoff return (Wersching kick)
49ers - Delvin Williams 5 run (Wersching kick)
Vikings - McClanahan 15 pass from Lee (Cox kick)
Vikings - Rashad 8 pass from Kramer (Cox kick)
Vikings - Tucker 9 pass from Kramer (Cox kick)
49ers - FG Wersching 31
Vikings - S. White 69 pass from Kramer (Cox kick)

Quarterback Craig Morton came off the bench in the third quarter and lit up the scoreboard with three TD passes in just over 2½ minutes to put Denver back in the game. Linebacker Bob Swenson chipped in with a two INTs and return man extraordinaire Rick Upchurch’s punt return set up the go-ahead score.

Denver Broncos - From 24 points behind to win:

Sept. 23, 1979 at Denver

Seahawks - FG Herrera 28
Seahawks - Doornink 5 run (Herrera kick)
Broncos - FG Turner 27
Seahawks - Doornink 5 run (Herrera kick)
Broncos - Armstrong 2 run (Turner kick)
Seahawks - FG Herrera 22
Seahawks - McCullum 13 pass from Zorn (Herrera kick)
Seahawks - Smith 1 run (Herrera kick)
Broncos - Studdard 2 pass from Morton (Turner kick)
Broncos - Moses 11 pass from Morton (Turner kick)
Broncos - Upchurch 35 pass from Morton (Turner kick)
Broncos - Lytle 1 run (kick failed)

Scoring came in waves for both the Oilers and Bengals in this game. Cincinnati jumped to a 24-0 lead midway through the second quarter before Houston took over and scored 27 straight points to take the lead by the end of the third quarter. Toni Fritsch ended the marathon with only 32 seconds left in overtime with a 29-yard field goal

Houston Oilers - From 24 points behind to win:

Sept. 23, 1979 at Cincinnati

Bengals - Johnson 1 run (Bahr kick)
Bengals - Alexander 2 run (Bahr kick)
Bengals - Johnson 1 run (Bahr kick)
Bengals - FG Bahr 52
Oilers - Burrough 35 pass from Pastorini (Fritsch kick)
Oilers - FG Fritsch 33
Oilers - Campbell 8 run (Fritsch kick)
Oilers - Caster 22 pass from Pastorini (Fritsch kick)
Oilers - FG Fritsch 47
Bengals- FG Bahr 55
Oilers - FG Fritsch 29

The Raiders trailed 24-0 late in the second quarter of their first-ever home game at the L.A. Coliseum. The turnaround began when Jim Plunkett hit Todd Christensen for a 1-yard scoring pass with 42 seconds remaining in the first half; and won on a 1-yard TD plunge midway through the fourth quarter.

L.A. Raiders - From 24 points behind to win:

Nov. 22, 1982 at Los Angeles

Chargers - FG Benirschke 19
Chargers - Scales 29 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick)
Chargers - Muncie 2 run (Benirschke kick)
Chargers - Muncie 1 run (Benirschke kick)
Raiders - Christensen 1 pass from Plunkett (Bahr kick)
Raiders - Allen 3 run (Bahr kick)
Raiders - Allen 6 run (Bahr kick)
Raiders - Hawkins 1 run (Bahr kick)

Quarterback Jay Schroeder made his first start for the Raiders and led his team back from a 24-0 halftime hole on Monday Night Football. A pair of long TD strikes to wide receiver Steve Smith in the third quarter ignited the comeback. A 20-yard interception return by Zeph Lee set up the Raiders’ game-winning field goal in OT.

L.A. Raiders - From 24 points behind to win:

Sept. 26, 1988 at Denver

Broncos - Dorsett 1 run (Karlis kick)
Broncos - Dorsett 1 run (Karlis kick)
Broncos - Sewell 7 pass from Elway (Karlis kick)
Broncos - FG Karlis 39
Raiders - Smith 40 pass from Schroeder (Bahr kick)
Raiders - Smith 42 pass from Schroeder (Bahr kick)
Raiders - FG Bahr 28
Raiders - Allen 4 run (Bahr kick)
Broncos - FG Karlis 25
Raiders - FG Bahr 44
Raiders - FG Bahr 35

Trailing the Bucs 27-3 at halftime the Rams came out firing in the second half with a Jim Everett to Willie “Flipper” Anderson 40-yard TD strike. The Rams scored 21 points in just under eight minutes and took the lead with 5:40 left in the game on Everett’s TD pass to receiver Pat Carter.

L.A. Rams - From 24 points behind to win:

Dec. 6, 1992 at Tampa

Buccaneers - FG Murray 34
Buccaneers - FG Murray 47
Buccaneers - Armstrong 81 pass from Testaverde (Murray kick)
Buccaneers - Jones 26 fumble recovery (Murray kick)
Rams - FG Zendejas 18
Buccaneers- Carrier 10 pass from Testaverde (Murray kick)
Rams - Anderson 40 pass from Everett (Zendejas kick)
Rams - Chadwick 27 pass from Everett (Zendejas kick)
Rams - Lang 1 run (Zendejas kick)
Rams - Carter 8 pass from Everett (Zendejas kick)

The Lions, trailing 27-3 in the third quarter reversed the game’s momentum on a pair of pick-sixes less than five minutes apart. Then Calvin Johnson hauled in a pair of TD passes for a record-tying fourth straight game to help Detroit to the win.

Detroit Lions - From 24 points behind to win:

Oct. 2, 2011 at Dallas

Cowboys - Bryant 25 pass from Romo (Bailey kick)
Cowboys - Bryant 6 pass from Romo (Bailey kick)
Cowboys - FG Bailey 41
Lions - FG Hanson 33
Cowboys - FG Bailey 35
Cowboys - Witten 1 pass from Romo (Bailey kick)
Lions - Carpenter 34 interception return (Hanson kick)
Lions - Houston 56 interception return (Hanson kick)
Cowboys - FG Bailey 23
Lions - Johnson 23 pass from Stafford (Hanson kick)
Lions - FG Hanson 51
Lions - Johnson 2 pass from Stafford

Peyton Manning, known for leading comebacks during his career, never rallied from 24 points down until this Monday Night Football classic. Manning and the Broncos overcame a 24-0 halftime deficit as Manning threw for 309 yards and 3 TDs.

Denver Broncos - From 24 points behind to win:

Oct. 15, 2012 at San Diego

Chargers - FG Novak 32
Chargers - Gates 15 pass from Rivers (Novak kick)
Chargers - Jammer 80 interception return (Novak kick)
Chargers - Gates 11 pass from Rivers (Novak)
Broncos - Thomas 29 pass from Manning (Prater kick)
Broncos - Carter 65 fumble return (Prater kick)
Broncos - Decker 7 pass from Manning (Prater kick)
Broncos - Stokley 21 pass from Manning (Prater kick)
Broncos - Harris 46 interception return (Prater kick)

The Patriots trailed 24-0 at halftime of this nationally televised Sunday Night matchup. Quarterback Tom Brady rallied New England by throwing three second-half touchdowns as the Patriots took a 31-24 lead. The Broncos tied the game to send it into overtime before kicker Stephen Gostkowski put the finishing touches on the comeback.

New England Patriots - From 24 points behind to win:

Nov. 24, 2013 at New England

Broncos – Miller 60 fumble return (Prater kick)
Broncos – Moreno 2 run (Prater kick)
Broncos – FG Prater 27
Broncos – Tamme 10 pass from Manning (Prater kick)
Patriots – Edelman 5 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick)
Patriots - Bolden 1 run (Gostkowski kick)
Patriots – Gronkowski 6 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick)
Patriots – Edelman 14 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick)
Patriots – FG Gostkowski 31
Broncos – D. Thomas 11 pass from Manning (Prater kick)
Patriots – FG Gostkowski 31

Postseason Games

Backup quarterback Frank Reich led the Buffalo Bills to the greatest comeback in NFL history. See story>>>

Buffalo Bills - From 32 points behind to win:

AFC First-Round Playoff Game
Jan. 3, 1993 at Buffalo

Oilers - Jeffires 3 pass from Moon (Del Greco kick)
Bills - FG Christie 36
Oilers - Slaughter 7 pass from Moon (Del Greco kick)
Oilers - Duncan 26 pass from Moon (Del Greco kick)
Oilers - Jeffires 27 pass from Moon (Del Greco kick)
Oilers - McDowell 58 interception return (Del Greco kick)
Bills - Davis 1 run (Christie kick)
Bills - Beebe 38 pass from Reich (Christie kick)
Bills - Reed 26 pass from Reich (Christie kick)
Bills - Reed 18 pass from Reich (Christie kick)
Bills - Reed 17 pass from Reich (Christie kick)
Oilers - FG Del Greco 26
Bills - FG Christie 32

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck rebounded with a strong second half performance in which he threw three TD passes and alertly grabbed a fumble for a five-yard TD as Indy erased a 28-point deficit in a thrilling 45-44 victory over the Chiefs in the 2013 AFC Wild Card Game.

Indianapolis Colts - From 28 points behind to win:

AFC Wild Card Game
Jan. 4, 2014 at Indianapolis

Chiefs - Bowe 6 pass from Smith (Succop kick)
Colts - Hilton 10 pass from Luck (Vinatieri kick)
Chiefs - FG Succop 19
Chiefs - Avery 79 pass from Smith (Succop kick)
Chiefs - Sherman 5 pass from Smith (Succop kick)
Colts - FG Vinatieri 37
Chiefs - Davis 4 run (Succop kick)
Chiefs - Davis 10 pass from Smith (Succop kick)
Colts - Brown 10 run (Vinatieri kick)
Colts - Brown 3 pass from Luck (Vinatieri kick)
Chiefs - FG Succop 42
Colts - Fleener 12 pass from Luck (Vinatieri kick)
Colts - Luck 5 fumble recovery (Vinatieri kick)
Chiefs - FG Succop 43
Colts - Hilton 64 pass from Luck (Vinatieri kick)

A botched snap on the potential game-winning field goal by the Giants, preserved the second greatest comeback in NFL playoff history for the 49ers. Wide receiver Terrell Owens, who finished with 9 catches 177 yards, scored the game’s first TD on a 76-yarder on the first play from scrimmage and then started the comeback with a 26-yard TD reception in the third quarter.

San Francisco 49ers - From 24 points behind to win:

NFC Wild Card Game
Jan. 5, 2003 at San Francisco

49ers - Owens 76 pass from Garcia (Chandler kick).
Giants - Toomer 12 pass from Collins (Bryant kick)
Giants - Shockey 2 pass from Collins (Bryant kick)
49ers - Barlow 1 run (Chandler kick)
Giants - Toomer 8 pass from Collins (Bryant kick)
Giants - Toomer 24 pass from Collins (Bryant kick)
Giants - Barber 6 run (Bryant kick)
Giants - FG Bryant 21
49ers - Owens 26 pass from Garcia (Garcia pass Owens)
49ers - Garcia 14 run (Garcia pass to Owens)
49ers - FG Chandler 25
49ers - Streets 13 pass from Garcia (conversion failed)

The 49ers were slightly too confident after a big halftime lead. Read about the tickets printed before the end of the game. Story>>>

Detroit Lions - From 20 points behind to win:

Western Conference Playoff Game
Dec. 22, 1957 at San Francisco

49ers - Owens 34 pass from Tittle (Soltau kick)
49ers - McElhenny 47 pass from Tittle (Soltau kick)
Lions - Junker 4 pass from Rote (Martin kick)
49ers - Wilson 12 pass from Tittle (Soltau kick)
49ers - FG Soltau 25
49ers - FG Soltau 10
Lions - Tracy 2 run (Martin kick)
Lions - Tracy 58 run (Martin kick)
Lions - Gedman 3 run (Martin kick)
Lions - FG Martin 14

Known as “Captain Comeback,” Hall of Fame QB Roger Staubach led the Cowboys in one of his greatest come-from-behind heroics. He guided Dallas on two scoring drives in the final two minutes. He capped the first with a 20-yard TD strike. Then, following a recovery of an onside kick, he drove Dallas downfield and connected for the game-winner with 52 seconds left on the clock.

Dallas Cowboys - From 18 points behind to win:

NFC Divisional Playoff Game
Dec. 23, 1972 at San Francisco

49ers - Washington 97 kickoff return (Gossett kick)
Cowboys - FG Fritsch 37
49ers - Schreiber 1 run (Gossett kick)
49ers - Schreiber 1 run (Gossett kick)
Cowboys - FG Fritsch 45
Cowboys - Alworth 28 pass from Morton (Fritsch kick)
49ers - Schreiber 1 run (Gossett kick)
Cowboys - FG Fritsch 27
Cowboys - Parks 20 pass from Staubach (Fritsch kick)
Cowboys - Sellers 10 pass from Staubach (Fritsch kick)

Dan Marino orchestrated two third quarter TD drives and RB Ron Davenport scored his second TD of the day on a 1-yard run with 1:57 remaining in the game to cap Miami’s 18-point comeback win as the Dolphins advanced to the AFC championship game.

Miami Dolphins - From 18 points behind to win:

AFC Divisional Playoff Game
Jan. 4, 1986 at Miami

Dolphins - FG Reveiz 51
Browns - Newsome 16 pass from Kosar (Bahr kick)
Browns - Byner 21 run (Bahr kick)
Browns - Byner 66 run (Bahr kick)
Dolphins - Moore 6 pass from Marino (Reveiz kick)
Dolphins - Davenport 31 run (Reveiz kick)
Dolphins - Davenport 1 run (Reveiz kick)

The Colts earned their first AFC title since 1970 in spectacular fashion. Indy rallied from an 18-point deficit and capped the comeback on a Joseph Addai 3-yard touchdown run. Marlin Jackson preserved the victory with an interception with 16 seconds left.

Indianapolis Colts - From 18 points behind to win:

AFC Championship Game
Jan. 21, 2007 at Indianapolis

Patriots - Mankins 0 fumble recovery (Gostkowski kick)
Colts - FG Vinatieri 42
Patriots - Dillon 7 run (Gostkowski kick)
Patriots - Samuel 39 interception return (Gostkowski kick)
Colts - FG Vinatieri 26 Ind — Manning 1 run (Vinatieri kick)
Colts - Klecko 1 pass from Manning (Harrison from Manning)
Patriots - Gaffney 6 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick)
Colts - Saturday 0 fumble recovery (Vinatieri kick)
Patriots - FG Gostkowski 28
Colts - FG Vinatieri 36
Patriots - FG Gostkowski 43
Colts - Addai 3 run (Vinatieri kick)