A curated list of the most dramatic and historic second-half comebacks in National Football League postseason history, highlighting the resilience of teams and the thrill of sudden-death victories.
Get targeted exposure with custom position pinning and highlighted placement.
The Denver Broncos erased a 25-0 halftime deficit to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 38-33 in overtime. This remains the largest comeback in NFL playoff history, driven by quarterback Trevor Siemian's performance and a stifling defense that forced critical turnovers.
The San Francisco 49ers overcame a 21-0 deficit against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. Quarterback Steve Young orchestrated a record-setting comeback, leading to a 49-3 victory that propelled the team to Super Bowl XXIX.
The New England Patriots faced elimination against the Houston Texans but staged a historic comeback to win 34-28. This game featured the famous 'Minneapolis Miracle' rivalry context, though the Patriots' victory was defined by Tom Brady's fourth-quarter drive and clutch third-down conversions.
The Carolina Panthers recovered from a 24-7 halftime deficit to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 49-15 in the NFC Championship. Cam Newton threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns, including two late scores that sealed a dominant win en route to Super Bowl 50.
In the AFC Divisional Round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers erased a 10-0 early deficit against Tom Brady's Patriots. The Bucs took advantage of three Patriots turnovers to win 27-10, preventing an early exit for a rising New England franchise.
The Minnesota Vikings overcame a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 31-28 in the NFC Divisional Round. This game showcased the offensive firepower of the 'Purple People Eaters' era, with Fran Tarkenton leading a crucial fourth-quarter rally.
Although ultimately falling in overtime, the Buffalo Bills erased a 24-3 deficit against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card round. The game featured Josh Allen's breakout performance and a frantic final drive that highlighted the team's emerging resilience.
The Dallas Cowboys overcame a 20-3 halftime deficit to defeat the Chicago Bears 27-20 in the Divisional Round. This victory was pivotal for the 'Dallas Cowboys' dynasty, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure in the Cold War era of NFL playoffs.
The New Orleans Saints recovered from a 10-0 deficit against division rival Atlanta in the Divisional Round. Drew Brees led a methodical drive that resulted in a 31-24 win, advancing the team to the NFC Championship Game in their stadium.
The Denver Broncos erased a 13-0 deficit against the Oakland Raiders in the Wild Card round. John Elway and Terrell Davis led a powerful ground-and-pound attack to secure a 23-10 victory, maintaining the team's undefeated playoff streak during that era.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame a 10-0 first-half deficit to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 in the Divisional Round. This game continued the Bucs' defensive dominance and marked a significant turning point in their season under coach Jon Gruden.
The New Orleans Saints erased a 14-0 deficit against the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round. Drew Brees connected with multiple receivers in the second half to win 31-28, demonstrating the resilience of the 'Bounce Back' team after Super Bowl XLIV.
The Pittsburgh Steelers overcame a 10-0 deficit against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round. Ben Roethlisberger's rookie presence was tested, but the defense stiffened in the second half to secure a 27-15 victory and advance to the AFC Championship.
Although a regular-season game, the Saints' 2008 comeback against the Giants is often cited in playoff context discussions due to its intensity. However, for strict playoff history, this spot is reserved for the 2006 Rams vs. Panthers NFC Championship where the Rams erased a 13-0 deficit.
The St. Louis Rams erased a 13-0 halftime deficit against the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship Game. Marc Bulger and the Rams offense rallied to win 34-14, advancing to Super Bowl XL and marking one of the most significant coaching adjustments in playoff history.
The Green Bay Packers overcame a 10-0 halftime deficit against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional Round. Brett Favre threw three second-half touchdown passes to lead a 23-10 victory, showcasing his arm strength and leadership in cold weather conditions.
The St. Louis Rams overcame a 14-0 deficit against the New York Giants in the Divisional Round. Kurt Warner and the 'Greatest Show on Turf' offense scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to win 49-37, cementing their legacy as an explosive playoff team.
The Green Bay Packers erased a 10-0 halftime deficit against the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round. Brett Favre led a crucial fourth-quarter drive to win 35-14, marking the beginning of the Packers' resurgence in the mid-1990s.
While not a massive deficit, the Baltimore Ravens' defensive dominance over the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round is iconic. They held Peyton Manning to minimal stats and won 28-13, showcasing how playoff defenses can shut down high-powered offenses.
The New York Giants overcame a narrow deficit against the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round. Eli Manning led a steady offensive drive to win 24-20, avoiding an upset and advancing to the NFC Championship, highlighting the importance of clutch quarterback play.