NFL's Biggest Comebacks by Franchise

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 25, 2013

NFL's Biggest Comebacks by Franchise

New England Patriots

SI.com presents the biggest comeback by franchise in the Super Bowl era, beginning with New England, which was down 24-0 at the half against visiting Denver. But Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes into the teeth of a 22-mph wind in the second half as the Patriots scored 31 points in a row. Peyton Manning's touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter forced overtime, where the Broncos' Tony Carter ran into Ryan Allen's punt after it bounced, Nate Ebner recovered for the Patriots at the Broncos 13-yard line and Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 31-yard field goal with 1:56 left in OT to give New England a 34-31 win.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills trailed the Oilers 35-3 just after halftime in the Wild Card game now known as "The Comeback." It looked like Buffalo's quest for a third straight Super Bowl appearance would end in the first round. But Frank Reich threw four second-half touchdowns, including three to Andre Reed, and the Bills won 41-38 in overtime. Buffalo's victory remains the largest comeback in NFL history.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were coming off a Super Bowl appearance but had started the season 1-7. They fell behind the 49ers by 17, but Jake Delhomme led the comeback by throwing for 303 yards and three touchdowns. The win helped jumpstart the Panthers to a 6-2 finish. It also matched the team's comeback in the 2003 season opener, when three Delhomme touchdowns led it past Jacksonville.

Chicago Bears

Cardinals coach Dennis Green's rant -- "They are who we thought they were." -- is the most famous part of Chicago's comeback from 20 points down in the third quarter. But the most impressive part of the win might be that the team didn't score an offensive touchdown. Quarterback Rex Grossman committed six turnovers and Chicago's three touchdowns came on two fumble returns and a punt return. The Bears also overcame a 20-point deficit against Tampa Bay in 1987.

Cincinnati Bengals | Dec. 24, 1995

The Vikings learned during the game that they had been eliminated from playoff contention. The Bengals took advantage of Minnesota's letdown to overcome a 24-3 halftime deficit. Cincinnati scored 24 unanswered points in the second half. The comeback tied a franchise record set against Seattle in 1981.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos had a 2-3 record to start Peyton Manning's first season with the team. The Chargers jumped out to a 24-0 lead at halftime, and Denver's playoff hopes looked like they were about to take another hit. But Manning tossed three second-half touchdowns and Denver's defense scored twice en route to a 35-24 win. It was the first of 11 straight wins by the Broncos to end the regular season. Denver also had overcome a 24-point deficit in 1979 against the Seahawks.

Detroit Lions

A week earlier, the Lions had overcome a 20-point deficit for an overtime win. This time, Detroit dug an even deeper hole. Dallas led 27-3 early in the third quarter, but Detroit's Bobby Carpenter and Chris Houston each returned interceptions for touchdowns. Then, Calvin Johnson dominated the final period with two touchdown catches.

Green Bay Packers

The Rams started the strike-shortened 1982 season with 23 first-half points. The Packers answered with 35 straight points in the second half. Eddie Lee Ivery (pictured) and Paul Coffman scored two touchdowns each, and Green Bay went on to a 5-3-1 record in the nine-game season.

Miami Dolphins | Dec. 15, 1974

The Dolphins' final regular season tune up started poorly. Early in the second quarter, New England led 24-0. But the Dolphins, winners of back-to-back Super Bowls, rebounded with a 24-0 run of their own. Melvin Baker caught two touchdowns on the way to a 34-27 Miami win. The Dolphins' title defense would end the next week in the first round of the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints won this season's Super Bowl behind its high-powered offense, but its defense helped key its come-from-behind win. After Miami built a 24-3 lead, Darren Sharper and Tracy Porter each returned interceptions for touchdowns in a 46-34 win. The Saints had also overcome 21-point deficits in 1987 and 1969.

New York Giants

In a game of runs, Washington scored 27 straight points to take a 33-14 lead. But Ron Johnson ran for two touchdowns and Fran Tarkenton hit Tucker Frederickson for a 57-yard score as New York won 35-33. It was the franchise's biggest comeback in the Super Bowl Era.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Kordell Stewart had a breakthrough game a week earlier when he ran for 117 yards and showed off an improved throwing motion. His strong play continued against the Ravens when he ran for two touchdowns and threw for three others as the Steelers overcame a 21-0 deficit.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were struggling in Bill Walsh's second season in charge and entered with a 5-8 record. The Saints, behind three Archie Manning touchdown passes, took a 35-7 lead into halftime. But Joe Montana, a part-time starter in his second year in the league, threw two touchdowns and ran for another to complete the biggest regular-season comeback in NFL history.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle erased a 21-0 deficit in a Week 9, 2013, game against Tampa Bay. Russell Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin with 1:51 left in regulation to tie the game at 24-24 and Steven Hauschka kicked the game-winning 27-yard field goal with 8:11 left in overtime.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers sent the game to overtime after Jeff Garcia threw a touchdown and completed a two-point conversion. But Tampa Bay may not have won without a fortuitous penalty. Bucs kicker Matt Bryant missed a field goal, but a false start on lineman Jeremy Trueblood gave Tampa Bay another chance. Garcia completed a pass, and Bryant drilled the shorter second attempt.

Tennessee Titans

Earl Campbell ran 38 times for 154 yards and a touchdown as the Houston Oilers overcame Cincinnati's 24-0 advantage. The Oilers went on to reach the AFC Championship Game that season.