of Minnesota Vikings Wrapping up the biggest comeback in NFL history, they wiped out a 33-point halftime deficit with a wild 39-36 overtime victory. Indianapolis ColtsKirk Cousins threw for 417 yards in the second half and overtime. It was his record for the most in NFL history and was fittingly the biggest comeback in league history.
Now that the Vikings have decided to rewrite NFL records, let’s take a look at five of the biggest comebacks in NFL history, including the ones Minnesota broke in the process.
1. Minnesota Vikings 39, Indianapolis Colts 36 (OT) — 33 points (2022 Regular Season Week 15)
The biggest comeback in NFL history belongs to the Vikings, who overcame a 33-0 halftime deficit to pull off an unlikely comeback and win the NFC North Title. Cousins threw four touchdown passes in the second half to score the final 32 points of the game as the Vikings wiped out a 36-7 deficit with 4:53 left in the third quarter.
Minnesota scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and tied the game with 2:15 in regulation on a Dalvin Cook 64-yard touchdown reception from Cousins. The Vikings got the ball in overtime – after punting on the first overtime possession – as Cousins led the Vikings down the field 60 yards and Greg Joseph’s 40-yard field goal to win by 3 , played at 1:41 seconds left in overtime.
Cousins overcame two interceptions to throw for 460 yards and four touchdowns in the win. Colts quarterback Matt Ryan became the first quarterback with a blown two lead of 25 points. This is the only quarterback in league history with this distinction.
2. buffalo bills 41, Houston Oilers 38 (OT) — 32 points (1992 AFC Wild Card Playoffs)
What was the biggest comeback in NFL history is one of the most unlikely victories the league has ever seen. Bills backup his quarterback Frank Reich engineered a game known as “The Comeback” as Buffalo erased his 35-3 third quarter deficit and came out victorious.
Reich threw four touchdown passes in the second half, three to Andre Reed and one to Dombieb as the Bills took a 3:08 lead, 38-35 (Reich gave Reich a 17-yard touchdown). threw a pass). The Oilers rallied to equalize as Warren Moon led them on a 63-yard drive and Al Del Greco’s field goal sent the game into overtime.
Houston got the ball first in overtime, but Moon threw an interception to Nate Odomes to give the ball to the Bills at the Oilers’ 20-yard line. A replay showed the intended target, Ernest Gibbins, was held by Daryl Tully, but no flag was thrown, and Steve Christie hit his 32-yard field goal to score a few. Completing an unlikely comeback as the Bills would make it to his third straight Super Bowl a week later.
3. Indianapolis Colts 45, kansas city chiefs 44 — 28 points (2013 AFC Wildcard Playoffs)
In his first season with the Chiefs, Andy Reid appears to be on his way to a playoff win after leading 38-10 early in the third quarter after Kunail Davis caught a 10-yard pass from Alex Smith. It looked like The Colts outscored the Chiefs 21-3 for the rest of the quarter, cutting the deficit to 41-31 for fourth place.
Indianapolis actually fumbled the ball and tried to cut the deficit to three when Andrew Luck recovered a fumble and ran the ball for a touchdown in one of the strangest plays in NFL history. Luck hit TY Hilton for a 64-yard touchdown pass to give Indianapolis a 45-44 lead with 4:21 remaining, and the Colts held the Chiefs on the ensuing possession to cap off the comeback.
Luck threw for 443 yards with four touchdowns and overcame three interceptions in the process. Hilton caught 13 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns with both teams finishing with 500+ yards offense.
San Francisco’s Joe Montana legend began with this game. San Francisco won the first half he won 324-21 and at halftime he trailed 35-7. The 49ers’ only touchdown was his 57-yard punt by Freddie Solomon on his return.
Montana threw two touchdown passes in the second half, a 71-yard pass to Dwight Clark, then a 14-yard pass to Solomons to make it 35–28. Renville Elliott tied the game with a 7-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Montana capped off their comeback in overtime as the 49ers won with Ray Worthing drilling a 36-yard kick. Montana threw two touchdown passes and rushed once in the second half to finish 24 of 36 for 285 yards. The Saints went 0-14 with the loss, the worst loss ever for the infamous “Aint.”
5. Buffalo Bills 37, Indianapolis Colts 35 — 26 points (Week 4, 1997 regular season)
Buffalo made the deficit manageable after trailing by 26 points in the second quarter as Todd Collins led the Bills to 10 unanswered points before halftime. Antwain Smith rushed for three touchdowns in the second half, including a 54-yard run in 5:21 to play to give Buffalo a 37-29 lead.
The game did not end as Colts backup quarterback Paul Justin hit Marvin Harrison for a 14-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds remaining. The Colts made his two-point conversion and forced overtime in the tie, but Kurt’s Schultz broke Justin’s pass and Harrison maintained his 37–35 lead.
Indianapolis recovered an onside kick and attempted two desperate passes, but the final pass towards the end zone was picked up by Ken Irvin. Buffalo won despite five turnovers and two muff punts.
