NFL's Biggest Comebacks by Franchise

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 13, 2013

NFL's Biggest Comebacks by Franchise

Houston Texans

The two-time defending AFC South champions Houston Texans found themselves trailing San Diego 28-7 at halftime of their 2013 opener, but reeled the Chargers back in. Linebacker Brian Cushing returned an interception for a touchdown to help key the comeback. Kicker Randy Bullock drilled a 41-yard kick as time expired to finish the 31-28 win.

Arizona Cardinals | Nov. 8, 1987

The Cardinals, in their final season in St. Louis, trailed Tampa Bay 28-3 heading into the fourth quarter. But Neil Lomax caught fire and threw three touchdowns in the final period -- including two to J.T. Smith. -- to give his team a 31-28 victory.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons made two 21-point comebacks in 1983. Against the Jets, Atlanta trailed by three touchdowns in the third quarter before Billy Johnson found the end zone twice and the Falcons scored 27 straight points to close the game. A month later, against the Packers, Atlanta trailed 21-0 in the second quarter. But Kenny Johnson returned two interceptions for touchdowns -- the first tied the game, the second won it in overtime.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore trailed Arizona 24-3 with four minutes left in the second quarter. But after halftime, the offense came together. "We woke up, plain and simple," said wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who caught seven passes for 145 yards. Ray Rice ran for three second-half touchdowns in the Ravens' 30-27 win.

Cleveland Browns

SI.com presents the biggest comeback by franchise in the Super Bowl era, beginning with the Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Washington scored 22 straight points in the third quarter to take a 35-14 lead over Dallas in the season opener. But the Cowboys rallied behind their aging superstars. Emmitt Smith ran for a score and then Michael Irvin caught two fourth-quarter touchdowns from Troy Aikman. Dallas won 41-35 in overtime. The Cowboys had previously overcome a 21-point deficit against New Orleans in 1984.

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning led the Colts back from a 35-14 deficit with four minutes to play on Monday Night Football. "What a game," he said afterwards, "what a win." Ricky Williams ran for a one-yard touchdown with 35 seconds left to tie the game, and Mike Vanderjagt kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime. The Colts overcame 21-point deficits twice in 1995.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have only 12 double-digit comeback victories, and the biggest came in their second season. The Ravens led 25-10 in the fourth quarter, but Mark Brunnell threw two touchdowns and ran for a two-point conversion to send the game to overtime. Mike Hollis kicked a field goal to give Jacksonville a 28-25 win.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Colts were winless and without Peyton Manning, but they built a 24-7 lead against the Chiefs. Indianapolis's first win would have to wait, though. Steve Breaston scored twice in Kansas City's 28-24 victory. Matt Cassel threw a pair of touchdown passes as the Chiefs tied the franchise record for biggest comeback.

Minnesota Vikings | Dec. 4, 1977

Rookie quarterback Tommy Kramer relieved Bob Lee late in Minnesota's game with San Francisco and threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes. The Vikings overcame five turnovers in turning a 24-0 deficit into a 28-27 victory.

New England Patriots

The Patriots fell behind 23-0 to the Seahawks after Seattle returned a punt and an interception for touchdowns. But New England forced three turnovers and scored 38 straight points to close the game.

New York Jets | Oct. 23, 2000

New York trailed by 23 points heading into the fourth quarter, but quarterback Vinny Testaverde caught fire. He threw for 235 yards and four touchdowns in the last period. The tying touchdown pass went to offensive lineman Jumbo Elliot (the only catch of his career). A decade after the "Monday Night Miracle," Testaverde said, "I get goose bumps just thinking about (the game)."

Oakland Raiders | Sept. 28, 1988

The Broncos started the Monday Night Football game with 24 straight points, but the Los Angeles Raiders pulled out an overtime win. Jay Schroeder hit Steve Smith for two long touchdowns in the third quarter to start the Raiders' comeback. The Raiders had also overcome a 24-point deficit against San Diego in 1982.

Philadelphia Eagles | Nov. 10, 1991

Jim McMahon hit Keith Jackson and Fred Barnett for back-to-back touchdowns to help Philadelphia close a 23-0 gap against the Browns. Roger Ruzek made four short field goals as Philadelphia won 32-30. The victory pulled the Eagles' record to .500 for the season.

San Diego Chargers

The biggest comeback victory in Chargers' history was a noteworthy game for LaDainian Tomlinson. The running back was one of the top players in the NFL and would win that season's MVP award. Against the Bengals, he rushed for four touchdowns as San Diego recovered from a poor start. "Being involved in that game, it was like it was a cartoon or something," Tomlinson said afterwards. The 1981 Chargers also won a game after falling behind by 21.

Seattle Seahawks

Running back Chris Warren made his third straight Pro Bowl in 1995, and he was the key to Seattle's come-from-behind win. He scored twice -- including the go-ahead score -- as the Seahawks turned a 20-0 deficit to a 31-27 win. The Seahawks almost matched this comeback against Atlanta in last year's postseason, but Russell Wilson's heroics came up short in a 30-28 loss.

St. Louis Rams

Jim Everett threw three touchdowns in the second half as the Rams, then based in Los Angeles, beat the Buccaneers 31-27. The Rams defense held Tampa Bay scoreless in the second half. Sean Gilbert had two sacks and Gerald Robinson added another.

Washington Redskins

Tim Biakabutuka ran for three touchdowns in the first quarter, but then Brad Johnson started throwing touchdown passes. He tossed two to Michael Westbrook in the second quarter. He threw two more to Albert Connell to give Washington an 11-point lead. Then, the Panthers rebounded to take a 36-35 lead. But a Brett Conway field goal finally won it for Washington. The franchise also overcame a 21-point deficit in 1990.

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NFL's Biggest Comebacks by Franchise