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We’ve seen NFL teams pull off quite a few memorable comebacks in the Super Bowl. One that immediately comes to mind is Patriots vs. Falcons during the 2016-17 season. New England would erase a 25-point deficit and capture an improbable victory in overtime.
Not every Super Bowl features a second-half surge. However, we’ve seen plenty of gritty performances over the years. Many of them also happen to be the biggest comebacks in the Superbowl. Let’s explore some of those incredible moments.
New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Year: 2017
- Deficit: 25 Points
- MVP: Tom Brady
This is easily the most miraculous comeback to occur in Super Bowl history. The Patriots were down 28-3 with only 8:31 left to play during the third quarter. Falcons RB Tevin Coleman scored a touchdown, which everyone thought would seal the deal against New England.
What happened next was unprecedented. The Patriots would rattle off 25 unanswered points that sent the game into overtime. They scored points on five consecutive drives, which included two touchdowns with successful two-point conversions.
During the overtime period, the Patriots won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first. New England would march down the field and win the Super Bowl on a 2-yard touchdown run from James White. It capped off the biggest comeback in Superbowl history.
New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Year: 2010
- Deficit: 10 Points
- MVP: Drew Brees
Super Bowl XLIV had several spectacular moments and proved to be an exciting game to watch. It was also a tale of two halves – the Colts took control of the game early on before the Saints mounted an incredible comeback.
The Colts took a 10-0 lead during the first quarter of the game, but the Saints wouldn’t go away. The score was 10-6 entering halftime, but the Saints went up 13-10 after recovering an onside kick to begin the third quarter. New Orleans ultimately pulled away and won 31-17.
At one point, the Colts were down 24-17 in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis had a chance to tie the game and remain in contention to lift the Lombardi Trophy. However, a pick-six would dash the Colts’ hopes of capturing a second Super Bowl in four seasons.
The game was also a showdown between future Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Both QBs put up big numbers in the match, but it was Brees who won the battle. He threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns. He also had an impressive passer rating of 114.5.
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Year: 2015
- Deficit: 10 Points
- MVP: Tom Brady
It was yet another comeback engineered by none other than the GOAT himself – Tom Brady. However, it was a defensive play at the very end of the game that made Super Bowl XLIX memorable. It’s an outcome that still haunts Seattle fans to this day.
The Seahawks put up a strong performance against the Patriots. Having won a Super Bowl the previous year, Seattle was on the cusp of establishing a dynasty. They were up 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Patriots would answer with back-to-back touchdowns.
Seattle got the ball back and had a chance to go score the game-winning touchdown. However, with 27 seconds left on the clock, rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson on the 1-yard line. It remains one of the most infamous play calls of all time.
Washington Commanders vs. Denver Broncos
- Year: 1988
- Deficit: 10 Points
- MVP: Doug Williams
Oddly enough, Super Bowl XXII was technically a comeback, even though Washington won the game in a blowout. The Broncos, led by Hall of Fame QB John Elway, were up 10-0 after the first quarter. Then, Washington would blow the game wide open.
Elway threw two costly interceptions in the second quarter, precipitating a total collapse from Denver. The Broncos wouldn’t score any more points for the rest of the game. Washington QB Doug Williams took home MVP honors with 340 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Year: 2020
- Deficit: 10 Points
- MVP: Patrick Mahomes
This game is also one of the greatest comebacks in the Superbowl ever. The Chiefs scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit against the 49ers. QB Patrick Mahomes became a Super Bowl MVP and NFL champion before age 26.
Things were looking grim for the Chiefs when Mahomes threw his second interception of the game during the fourth quarter. However, Kansas City would then find the endzone three times in just over five minutes. Mahomes ended the night with 286 yards and two touchdowns.
Not only did head coach Andy Reid win his first Super Bowl, but he also ended Kansas City’s 50-year title drought. It was a comeback that also validated Reid’s career, who was the winningest coach without a Super Bowl entering the game.
New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills
- Year: 1991
- Deficit: 9 Points
- MVP: Ottis Anderson
This is the greatest comeback in Superbowl history that not enough people talk about. The Giants were down 12-3 during the second quarter against the Bills. New York then would force a quick three-and-out and find the endzone right before halftime.
During the third quarter, the Giants took the lead on a 1-yard touchdown run from Ottis Anderson. The Bills then responded by reclaiming the lead with a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. But New York refused to lose this game and kicked a game-winning field goal.
New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
- Year: 2012
- Deficit: 8 Points
- MVP: Eil Manning
It’s another historic comeback involving Tom Brady. However, the legendary quarterback was on the losing end of this one. It was also the rematch of Super Bowl XLII, and the Giants were underdogs once again against the Patriots.
The score was 17-9, with the Giants trailing in the third quarter. New York would cut the lead to 17-15 with a pair of field goals before the fourth quarter began. The Giants’ defense was also somehow able to shut down Tom Brady for most of the second half.
In the fourth quarter, New York took complete control of the game. Eli Manning and the offense would also march down the field as the game was coming to a close. Ahmad Bradshaw scored a touchdown with less than a minute to play, which ultimately sealed the deal for the Giants.
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