Top 10 NFL Playoff Comebacks
Playoff football creates pressure that cannot be found during the regular season. Every mistake feels bigger, every possession matters, and one bad quarter can end an entire campaign. However, some teams refuse to accept defeat even when the scoreboard appears impossible to overcome. These games became famous because players stayed calm, coaches adjusted their plans, and entire teams produced remarkable rallies when their seasons were close to ending.
Unforgettable NFL Postseason Turnarounds
A great playoff comeback is not only about erasing a large deficit. The stage, the time remaining, the quality of the opponent, and the consequences of the result all matter. Some teams recovered from more than 20 points behind, while others completed dramatic final drives with almost no time left.
The following games represent 10 of the greatest playoff comebacks in American football history. Each one delivered tension, unexpected moments, and a finish that supporters still discuss many years later.
10. Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers, 1972 NFC Divisional Playoff
The Dallas Cowboys entered the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers facing a 28-13 deficit. The defending champions appeared close to elimination, and the San Francisco defense had controlled most of the contest.
Dallas coach Tom Landry decided to replace quarterback Craig Morton with Roger Staubach. The decision changed the direction of the game. Staubach brought energy to the offense and helped Dallas score 17 unanswered points during the final period.
Dallas recovered an onside kick, created important defensive stops, and continued attacking through the air. Staubach completed the comeback with late touchdown passes as the Cowboys won 30-28. The performance helped establish his reputation as one of the most reliable quarterbacks under pressure.
9. Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns, 1986 AFC Championship Game
The Denver Broncos trailed the Cleveland Browns 20-13 with 5 minutes and 32 seconds remaining. Denver received the ball near its own goal line, leaving quarterback John Elway with 98 yards to travel in one of the most hostile stadiums in the league.
Elway remained composed and slowly moved the offense down the field. He completed short passes, avoided pressure, and converted important third downs. Denver finally reached the end zone with only 37 seconds left, tying the game at 20-20.
The 98-yard possession became known as The Drive. Denver later won 23-20 in overtime and advanced to the Super Bowl. The deficit was not as large as others on this list, but the distance, the pressure, and the importance of the game made the rally historic.
8. Seattle Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers, 2014 NFC Championship Game
Seattle produced one of the strangest and most dramatic conference championship victories in NFL history. Green Bay led 16-0 at halftime, while Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson had thrown several interceptions. The Packers defense appeared to have complete control.
Seattle scored through a fake field goal in the third quarter, but Green Bay still held a 19-7 advantage with less than 4 minutes remaining. At that point, the chances of a Seattle victory looked extremely small.
Wilson led a quick touchdown drive, and Seattle recovered an onside kick that Green Bay failed to control. Marshawn Lynch then scored another touchdown, before Wilson completed an unusual 2-point conversion pass that remained in the air for several seconds.
Green Bay tied the game with a late field goal, but Seattle won 28-22 in overtime when Wilson found Jermaine Kearse for a 35-yard touchdown. The Seahawks advanced to a second consecutive Super Bowl after one of the most unlikely endings ever seen in a conference championship.
7. San Francisco 49ers vs New York Giants, 2002 NFC Wild Card
The New York Giants seemed ready for a comfortable victory after building a 38-14 lead during the third quarter. Quarterback Kerry Collins had thrown 4 touchdown passes, and the San Francisco defense struggled to slow the New York offense.
Quarterback Jeff Garcia refused to give up. He began using both his passing ability and his speed outside the pocket. San Francisco scored 25 unanswered points, with Garcia contributing through the air and on the ground.
The 49ers moved ahead 39-38, but the Giants still had an opportunity to win. New York attempted a late field goal after a poor snap. The play ended in confusion, and San Francisco escaped with the victory.
The 24-point comeback was the second largest in NFL playoff history at the time. It remains one of the most chaotic Wild Card games ever played.
6. Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills, 2021 AFC Divisional Playoff
This game did not feature a huge early deficit, but it included several incredible comebacks during the final minutes. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen produced an attacking contest that changed direction repeatedly.
Buffalo took the lead with 1 minute and 54 seconds remaining, but Kansas City answered with a touchdown. Allen then responded again, finding Gabriel Davis for his fourth touchdown reception of the game. Buffalo moved ahead 36-33 with only 13 seconds left.
Kansas City appeared defeated, but Mahomes completed quick passes to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Those plays placed the Chiefs within field goal range. Harrison Butker tied the game as regulation ended.
Kansas City received the ball first in overtime and scored a touchdown to win 42-36. The final 2 minutes included 25 points, making this one of the most exciting finishes in playoff history.
5. Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans, 2019 AFC Divisional Playoff
The Houston Texans created a stunning 24-0 lead at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City made errors on offense and special teams, while Houston scored quickly and appeared ready to produce a major upset.
The game changed after the Texans failed to convert a fake punt. Patrick Mahomes then began attacking a tired and confused defense. Kansas City scored 4 touchdowns during the second quarter and entered halftime with a 28-24 lead.
The Chiefs continued to dominate after the break. Mahomes finished with 5 touchdown passes, while tight end Travis Kelce recorded 3 touchdown receptions. Kansas City won 51-31 after scoring 51 points across less than 3 quarters.
This comeback was remarkable because Kansas City did not simply recover. The team completely overwhelmed Houston after falling 24 points behind.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars vs Los Angeles Chargers, 2022 AFC Wild Card
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence experienced a terrible start against the Los Angeles Chargers. He threw 4 interceptions during the first half, and the Chargers built a 27-0 lead.
Lawrence recovered before halftime by throwing a touchdown pass to Evan Engram. That score gave Jacksonville hope and changed the mood inside the stadium.
The Jaguars continued to attack during the second half. Lawrence threw 3 more touchdown passes, while the Jacksonville defense limited the Chargers to only 3 second-half points. A successful 2-point conversion reduced the deficit to 30-28.
Jacksonville completed the comeback with a creative fourth-down run by Travis Etienne. The play moved the ball into field goal range, allowing Riley Patterson to score the winning points. The Jaguars won 31-30 after recovering from a 27-point deficit.
3. Indianapolis Colts vs Kansas City Chiefs, 2013 AFC Wild Card
The Kansas City Chiefs led the Indianapolis Colts 38-10 early in the third quarter. Indianapolis had committed several turnovers, and the home crowd had little reason to believe that a comeback was possible.
Andrew Luck then produced one of the best individual playoff performances by a young quarterback. He continued throwing aggressively and helped the Colts score touchdowns on several quick possessions.
One of the most memorable moments came after a Indianapolis fumble near the goal line. Luck collected the loose ball and jumped into the end zone for a touchdown. The unusual play kept the comeback alive.
Indianapolis finally moved ahead when Luck connected with T. Y. Hilton for a 64-yard touchdown. The Colts won 45-44 after overcoming a 28-point deficit. At the time, it was the second largest comeback in NFL playoff history.
2. New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons, Super Bowl LI
The Atlanta Falcons controlled the first half of Super Bowl LI and built a 28-3 lead during the third quarter. The Atlanta defense pressured Tom Brady, while the offense created big plays through Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Devonta Freeman.
New England slowly began to recover. The Patriots scored a touchdown late in the third quarter, added a field goal, and then took advantage of an Atlanta turnover. Brady found Danny Amendola for another touchdown, and a successful 2-point conversion reduced the lead to 28-20.
Atlanta still had an opportunity to control the clock, but a sack and a holding penalty moved the team out of field goal range. New England received another chance, and Brady led a long touchdown drive. James White scored, and another 2-point conversion tied the game at 28-28.
Super Bowl LI became the first Super Bowl to reach overtime. New England won the coin toss, moved down the field, and completed the comeback when White scored again. The Patriots won 34-28 after recovering from a 25-point deficit, the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
1. Buffalo Bills vs Houston Oilers, 1992 AFC Wild Card
The greatest playoff comeback in NFL history took place when the Buffalo Bills faced the Houston Oilers. Buffalo played without injured starting quarterback Jim Kelly, leaving backup Frank Reich in control of the offense.
Houston dominated the first half and led 28-3 at the break. Early in the third quarter, an interception return increased the advantage to 35-3. Many Buffalo supporters left the stadium because the result appeared certain.
Buffalo then produced an incredible series of plays. The Bills recovered an onside kick, Reich threw several touchdown passes, and receiver Andre Reed repeatedly found space inside the Houston defense.
Buffalo scored 28 points during the third quarter and eventually moved ahead 38-35. Houston tied the game with a late field goal, sending the contest into overtime.
The Buffalo defense intercepted quarterback Warren Moon during the extra period. Steve Christie then kicked the winning field goal, giving the Bills a 41-38 victory.
Buffalo had recovered from a 32-point deficit without its starting quarterback. The game became known simply as The Comeback and remains the largest comeback victory in NFL playoff history.
Why Playoff Comebacks Remain So Memorable
These games show why American football can change so quickly. A turnover, an onside kick, a defensive stop, or one deep pass can completely alter the direction of a contest.
Several important qualities appeared in almost every comeback:
- Quarterbacks remained calm despite early mistakes.
- Coaches adjusted tactics instead of abandoning the game plan.
- Defenses created turnovers or important late stops.
- Special teams produced field goals, recoveries, or unexpected plays.
- Players continued competing even when the score appeared impossible.
Playoff comebacks also become more powerful because there is no second opportunity. A defeat ends the season, while a victory can lead to a championship. That pressure makes every successful rally more impressive.
Final Thoughts on Historic Postseason Rallies
The NFL playoffs have produced many dramatic games, but the greatest comebacks stand apart because they combine pressure, skill, mistakes, and belief. Buffalo recovering from 32 points behind remains the standard, while the New England rally in Super Bowl LI delivered the biggest comeback on the largest stage.
More recent games involving Kansas City, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, and Seattle prove that no playoff lead is completely safe. As long as time remains on the clock, one possession can begin a comeback that changes NFL history.