There have been a number of extraordiary comebacks in the history of America's game - many of which are have displayed more drama and tension than even the most triumphant Hollywood blockbusters. This article will consider six of the greatest turnarounds in the game.
The Vikings' Unbelievable Rally: Minnesota Vikings 39, Indianapolis Colts 36 (OT)
The record for the largest NFL comeback is held by the Minnesota Vikings, who in a 2022 regular-season game, reversed a 33-0 halftime score against the Indianapolis Colts. Kirk Cousins, in a display of sheer will, threw four touchdowns in the second half, and with it helped his team to make light work of a 36-7 gap with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
This culminated in a 64-yard touchdown by Dalvin Cook, with Cousins managing to continue his heroics in overtime, setting up a game-winning 40-yard field goal by Greg Joseph. Cousins finished with 460 yards, turning a potential debacle into a division-clinching victory.
"The Comeback": Buffalo Bills 41, Houston Oilers 38 (OT)
With what was the largest NFL playoff comeback prior to 2022, this game remains a symbol of improbable victory. In the 1992 AFC wild-card round, Bills backup quarterback Frank Reich led his team a rally from a 35-3 deficit. His connection with star Wide Receiver, Andre Reed was particularly lethal, combining for three touchdowns in the second half, including a vital 17 yard touchdown pass.
Whilst the Oilers managed to extend the game to overtime, as a result of a Warren Moon-led drive which allowed them to secure a game-tying field goal, an interception by Nate Odomes set up Steve Christie’s 32-yard field goal, which sent his Buffalo side to an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl.
A Stroke of Luck: Indianapolis Colts 45, Kansas City Chiefs 44
The 2013 AFC wild-card playoff saw Andrew Luck at his most resilient in driving his Indianapolis team to a legendary victory in the 2013 AFC Wild Card Playoff matchup. The Colts, trailing the Chiefs 38-10 shortly after halftime, surged back as Luck threw for 443 yards and four touchdowns. Indeed, such was the level of offensive prowess that both teams exhibited, that they both finished up with over 500 attacking yards each.
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One of the game’s defining moments was Luck’s recovery of a teammate's fumble, which he returned for a game altering touchdown. A late 64-yard connection to T.Y. Hilton sealed the one-point victory, completing a 28-point comeback which would go down for the ages.
Montana’s Magic Begins: San Francisco 49ers 38, New Orleans Saints 35 (OT)
One of the true iconic figures of the game, Quarterback Joe Montana’s legend began with a 28-point comeback against the Saints in 1980 regular season matchup. Despite a dismal first half where the 49ers were outrun by 324 to 21 yards in a gamw that appeared to be one-way trafic, Montana sparked the turnaround with two second half touchdown passes to turn the tide in the 49ers favor.
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Following a Lenvil Elliott score late into the fourth quarter, within him running in 7 yard touchdown, the game went into overtime tied at 35, where Montana’s prowess continued, leading to a winning field goal by Ray Wersching for a game that set Montana up for later greatness.
Jaguars’ Dramatic Turnaround: Jacksonville Jaguars 31, Los Angeles Chargers 30
One of the more recent comeback tales, Jacksonville’s 2022 season victory was as dramatic as they come. Despite five turnovers and four interceptions from Quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the first half, the Jaguars surged in the second half. In an extraordinary rally from Quarterback and team alike, Lawrence went 23 of 29 for 253 yards, throwing four touchdowns after the halftime interval.
The Chargers, unable to sustain their early momentum, missed crucial scoring opportunities, including a field goal that would have put them ahead by ten late in the game. Jacksonville's rally was capped off by a 36-yard field goal from Riley Patterson, immortalizing this game in the annals of playoff history.
Buffalo Rebound Again: Buffalo Bills 37, Indianapolis Colts 35
In a 1997 regular season matchup, the Bills faced a daunting 26-point deficit against the Colts. In this improbable triumph, it was Buffalo's quarterback, Todd Collins, and running back, Antowain Smith, who spearheaded a relentless pursuit, scoring 10 points before halftime and continuing their onslaught in the second half to turn the tide in this matchup between the two rivals.
Indeed, Smith's 54-yard touchdown late in the game proved pivotal, and despite a late Colts touchdown, Buffalo were able to secure the win by denying a two-point conversion attempt to preserve the comeback lead they had earned for an impressive turnaround success.