What Is The Greatest Comeback In NFL History?
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We all love a good comeback story. And in the world of sports, there are few comebacks more impressive than those in the NFL. So, what is the greatest comeback in NFL history?
The Greatest Comeback In NFL History
In football, a comeback is when the winning team was trailing in the score at some point in the game, but then came back to win the game. The term is most often used in reference to the defense. A team’s ability to come back from a deficit is often seen as a reflection of its character.
The Buffalo Bills vs. The Houston Oilers
In 1993, the Bills and Oilers met in a game that would come to be known as The Comeback. At the time, it was the largest comeback in NFL history, as the Bills rallied from a 32-point deficit to win 41-38 in overtime. The game has been hailed as one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, and it’s still considered one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.
The New York Giants vs. The San Francisco 49ers
In 2002, the New York Giants were trailing the San Francisco 49ers 38-14 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. The Giants went on to score 25 unanswered points,including two touchdowns in the final minute of regulation, to force overtime. In overtime, the Giants won the coin toss and marched down the field to score a game-winning touchdown and complete one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.
The New England Patriots vs. The Denver Broncos
The New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos faced off in what would become one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. After being down by 24 points, the Patriots rallied to win in overtime by a score of 34-31.
It was a dramatic game that featured two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Tom Brady led the Patriots to victory, while Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns for the Broncos.
The come-from-behind win was a significant moment for the Patriots, who went on to win the Super Bowl that year. It was also a momentous occasion for Brady, who cemented his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Why These Comebacks Were So Great
When a team is down and seems out of the game, fans may start to leave. But, every now and then, a team will make an incredible comeback and get the win. These are the greatest comebacks in NFL history.
The Bills were down by 32 points against the Oilers
In what has been considered the greatest comeback in NFL history, the Buffalo Bills rallied from a 32-point deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime. This game was played on January 3, 1993 in the Astrodome during Wild Card weekend of the 1992-1993 NFL playoffs. Dubbed “The Comeback,” it was Buffalo’s first playoff win since the Music City Miracle nine years earlier.
The Giants were down by 17 points against the 49ers
The New York Giants were down by 17 points against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game with just over 3 minutes left in regulation.
Eli Manning led his team on a miraculous drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left. The Giants went on to win the game in overtime, and later the Super Bowl.
The Patriots were down by 24 points against the Broncos
In 2015, the Patriots were down by 24 points against the Broncos. The Patriots scored 31 unanswered points to win the game in overtime. This was the largest comeback in NFL history.
How These Comebacks Changed The NFL
In 2013, the Seattle Seahawks made the greatest comeback in NFL history, coming back from a 28-point deficit to win the game in overtime. This was a truly remarkable feat, and it completely changed the way the NFL was played.
The Bills’ comeback led to the creation of the “Comeback Player of the Year” award
In 1994, the Buffalo Bills accomplished what was then the biggest comeback in NFL history, overcoming a 32-point deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime. The come-from-behind victory was so improbable and impressive that, the following season, the Associated Press created the “Comeback Player of the Year” award in honor of the Bills’ achievement.
Since its inception, the “Comeback Player of the Year” award has been given out annually to an NFL player who has overcome adversity to have a successful season. While many deserving players have won the award over the years, there are a few standouts who are considered to be among the greatest comebacks in NFL history.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, 2017
After missing most of his rookie season with an ACL injury, Mahomes came back strong in his second year and took the league by storm. He led the Chiefs to an AFC West title and was named MVP after throwing for 50 touchdown passes and over 5,000 yards.
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, 2020
After battling through injuries to key offensive weapons and a slow start to the season, Wilson caught fire down the stretch and led the Seahawks to an NFC West title. He finished tied for second in MVP voting after throwing for 40 TD passes and over 4,500 yards.
Browns QB Baker Mayfield, 2018
After a disappointing rookie year, Mayfield rebounded in a big way in his second season. He led Cleveland to their first playoff berth since 2002 and was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing for 27 TD passes and over 3,700 yards.
The Giants’ comeback led to the 49ers’ head coach, Bill Walsh, being fired
The San Francisco 49ers seemed to have the 1982 NFC Championship Game in hand, holding a 38-14 lead against the New York Giants with just over three minutes left in the game. But then something amazing happened: The Giants went on a stunning scoring tear, putting up two touchdowns and a field goal to tie the game at 38 and send it into overtime. The 49ers would ultimately win the game on a last-second field goal, but the damage had been done: Bill Walsh, head coach of the 49ers, was so shaken by the team’s collapse that he was fired immediately after the game.
The Patriots’ comeback led to the Broncos’ head coach, Mike Shanahan, being fired
The Patriots’ incredible comeback from a 24-0 deficit in the AFC Championship game not only led to the Broncos’ head coach, Mike Shanahan, being fired, but also resulted in a change in the NFL’s overtime rules. Shanahan had been widely criticized for his decision to go for it on 4th-and-2 from his own 29-yard line with 2:08 remaining in regulation and the Broncos leading by six points. Had the Broncos converted, they could have effectively ended the game. Instead, they failed to convert and Tom Brady led the Patriots down the field for the tying touchdown with just seconds remaining in regulation. In overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss and then quickly drove down the field for the winning touchdown.
