No lead is safe in the NFL, and that is especially true in the playoffs.
More than a half-dozen teams have lost a lead of at least 20 points in the playoffs, and a dozen have lost a lead of at least 18 points.
Whether it's the pressure, the adrenaline or just plain luck, collapses and comebacks are a permanent part of the NFL playoffs. Not all comebacks are created equal, though.
Here's a look at the biggest playoff comebacks in NFL history.
MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:
- SN's expert predictions for NFL playoffs, Super Bowl 60
- Full NFL playoff schedule
- Updated NFL playoff bracket
- Wild-card picks, predictions
- NFL playoff power rankings, 1-14
Biggest comebacks in NFL playoff history
Here are the 12 biggest comebacks in NFL playoff history, including eight comebacks from the 21st century:
| Rank | Season | Winning team | Losing team | Deficit | Final score |
| 1 | 1992 | Bills | Oilers | 32 | 41-38 |
| 2 | 2013 | Colts | Chiefs | 28 | 45-44 |
| 3 | 2022 | Jaguars | Chargers | 27 | 31-30 |
| 4 | 2016 | Patriots | Falcons | 25 | 34-28 |
| 5 | 2002 | 49ers | Giants | 24 | 39-38 |
| 2019 | Chiefs | Texans | 24 | 51-31 | |
| 6 | 1957 | Lions | 49ers | 20 | 31-27 |
| 7 | 1972 | Cowboys | 49ers | 18 | 30-28 |
| 1985 | Dolphins | Browns | 18 | 24-21 | |
| 2006 | Colts | Patriots | 18 | 38-34 | |
| 2017 | Titans | Chiefs | 18 | 22-21 | |
| 2021 | Bengals | Chiefs | 18 | 27-24 | |
| 2025 | Bears | Packers | 18 | 31-27 |
The biggest comeback in playoff history belongs to the Buffalo Bills and backup QB Frank Reich, who engineered a remarkable 32-point turnaround against the Oilers in the wild-card round of the 1992 playoffs.
While that feat has never been matched in the playoffs, massive comebacks have become more common in recent years. The Indianapolis Colts stormed back from a 28-point deficit against Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs in the 2013 wild-card round, while the Jacksonville Jaguars overcame a slew of early Trevor Lawrence interceptions in the same round nine years later to stun the Los Angeles Chargers after facing a 27-point deficit.
The most recent remarkable playoff comeback now belongs to the Chicago Bears, who were comeback kings during the 2025 regular season and overcame a 21-3 deficit to win 31-27 against the rival Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.
The biggest playoff comeback outside the wild-card round belongs to the New England Patriots, who famously won Super Bowl LI over the Atlanta Falcons after trailing 28-3.
MORE: Where does Ben Johnson stand in Coach of the Year debate?
Bears comeback vs. Packers
Overcoming a 21-3 deficit speaks for itself, but the Bears' comeback against the Packers faced long odds at multiple points. Green Bay led 21-6 entering the fourth quarter and extended its lead to 27-16 with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation.
The Bears scored 25 points in the fourth quarter alone, perhaps not much of a surprise after they dominated the final quarter during the regular season, and three missed kicks by Green Bay's Brandon McManus left the door wide open for Chicago.
The Bears took the lead on a touchdown by DJ Moore, capping a rapid scoring drive that left the Packers with plenty of time to go down the field an answer. Green Bay couldn't get into the end zone, however, and Soldier Field witnessed its first playoff win in 15 years.
DJ MOORE FOR THE LEAD
— NFL (@NFL) January 11, 2026
GBvsCHI on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ov47yAYC56
The Bears' comeback was the biggest playoff turnaround since the Jaguars' 27-point comeback against the Chargers three years earlier.