Five Memorable Comeback Moments in NFL History

Every sports fan knows the thrill of a good comeback, especially when it seems like all hope is lost. In football, a comeback isn’t only about the board points; it’s more about spirit, teamwork, and the will to keep fighting. These comebacks are often special and jaw-dropping, reflecting the unpredictability of the game and reminding fans that anything is possible.

However, although the NFL has seen countless games, only a handful have had teams pull an impossible comeback. Of those handful, only a select few are unforgettable, especially to those who place Bovada NFL bets. Here’s a look at some of the greatest comeback moments in NFL history.

San Francisco 49ers vs New Orleans Saints — Dec. 7, 1980

When a team trails by 28 points in an NFL match, it’s only normal to think they’ve lost the game, especially when it’s the third quarter already. So, you can imagine the shock on the audience’s faces when the score at the end of the match was 38-35 in favor of the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s what happened.

At halftime, the New Orleans Saints were winning 35-7. But in the third quarter, Montana made a one-yard touchdown run, which kicked off the comeback. He then hit Dwight Clark with a 71-yard pass and Freddie Solomon with another 14-yard pass. These two touchdowns cut the deficit to 35-28.

By the time the clock read 1:50, Lenvil Elliot made a 7-yard run that tied the game, after which Ray Wersching scored a field goal that won them the game in overtime. But all these wouldn’t have been possible without Montana’s leadership. No wonder this is known as the game that catapulted the career of the legendary Joe Montana.

Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts — Sept. 21, 1997

Even more impressive than the 49ers’ comeback is that of the Buffalo Bills, who were behind the Colts 26-0 at halftime. It was nothing short of a wonder when the Bills came roaring back to secure a 37-35 victory, all thanks to Todd Collins and Antowain Smith. Thus, this game is often remembered as one of the best comebacks in the Bills’ history.

The turnaround came in the second half when the Bills slowly and surely began to reduce the Colts’ lead. Before they knew it, Collins threw two touchdown passes, and Smith scored a third point, giving Buffalo a 37-29 lead.

Unfortunately, some fans who couldn’t stick with the team through the rough start missed this great comeback moment.

San Diego Chargers vs Los Angeles Raiders — Nov. 22, 1982

On a Monday Night Football stage, the Chargers faced off against their division rival, Los Angeles Raiders. These two teams didn’t realize this game would go down in history.

Before this matchup, the Chargers had won some interesting comebacks. However, they had never overcome a 24-0 deficit before, especially since it was almost halftime. But oh well, Fate said this would be the first time, and it was.

The Raiders came to life right before they went on break and reduced the deficit to 24-7. This was the start to a stunning 28-24 comeback, with QB Dan Fouts being the night’s hero after throwing for over 300 yards and leading four touchdowns.

Houston Oilers vs Buffalo Bills — Jan. 3, 1993

To show how memorable this matchup is, it is known as “The Comeback” in Buffalo and “The Choke” in Houston. It started with the Oilers leading the Buffalo Bills with 32 points. Buffalo had already fallen behind 35-3 in the third quarter of the 1993 AFC Wild Card Playoff, and it seemed there was no coming back from this.

It also didn’t help that the team’s main quarterback was out with a knee injury, and the star running back, Thurman, was knocked out with a hip injury during the game. However, with backup quarterback Frank Reich taking charge, he led the team to a 41-38 victory in overtime.

Minnesota Vikings vs Indianapolis Colts — Dec. 17, 2022

This one is a recent addition to the NFL’s list of legendary comebacks, but it doesn’t take back from its impressiveness. Having recently switched head coaches, the Colts had an impressive lead over the Vikings with a 33-0 scoresheet at halftime. As if that wasn’t bad enough, with only 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter, they still had a 29-point deficit at 36-7.

That was when the momentum shifted in favor of the Vikings. C. J. Ham rushed for a touchdown, and Justin Jefferson followed with another, after which Adam Thielen caught an end-zone pass. They had reduced the lead to 36-28 and had less than 6 minutes left on the clock.

This was when Dalvin Cook and T. J Hockenson came in clutch for their team. And finally, Greg Joseph scored a 40-yard field goal with only three seconds left on the clock, sealing their win. What a comeback!

Touch Down!

These unforgettable comebacks make the NFL so special, and they’re why millions of fans love the game. The teams that pulled off these historic wins have sealed their names as legends in their own right. As the NFL continues to evolve, we can only expect to see more interesting comeback moments that define the heart of the sport.