Biggest comebacks in NFL history: Vikings set record against Colts, replacing Frank Reich-led Bills

Edward Sutelan

Biggest comebacks in NFL history: Vikings set record against Colts, replacing Frank Reich-led Bills image

The Vikings appeared to be on the verge of one of the most embarrassing losses of the season Saturday. Minnesota went into the locker room at halftime trailing the 4-8-1 Colts 33-0. It looked like yet another reason for people to question the Vikings' legitimacy despite their 10-3 start to the season.

There must have been some serious motivating going on in the locker room.

Minnesota allowed just one field goal to the Colts in the second half as they stormed all the way back from that 33-point deficit to force overtime.

The Vikings completed the comeback when Greg Joseph drained a game-winning 40-yard field goal with three seconds left in overtime to walk off the Colts 39-36.

MORE: Vikings' miserable first-half punctuated by non-fumble call by officials

Where does this rank among the largest comebacks in NFL history? Here's a look at the list.

Biggest comebacks in NFL history

The Vikings set the record for largest comeback in NFL history, regular season and playoffs combined. It surpassed the game simply known as "The Comeback," when Bills erased a 35-3 deficit against the Oilers in the 1993 AFC playoffs.

The starting quarterback for the Bills in that game was Frank Reich, who was the Colts' head coach when the 2022 season began but he was fired and replaced by interim coach Jeff Saturday.

A look at the largest NFL comebacks of all time, regular-season and postseason:

Winning teamLosing teamDateDeficit
Minnesota VikingsIndianapolis ColtsDec. 17, 202233
Buffalo BillsHouston OilersJan. 3, 199332
Indianapolis ColtsKansas City ChiefsJan. 4, 201428
San Francisco 49ersNew Orleans SaintsDec. 7, 198028
Buffalo BillsIndianapolis ColtsSep. 21, 199726
New England PatriotsAtlanta FalconsFeb. 5, 201725
Cleveland BrownsTennessee TitansOct. 5, 201425
St. Louis CardinalsTampa Bay BuccaneersNov. 8, 198725
Houston OilersCincinnati BengalsSep. 23, 197924
Detroit LionsBaltimore ColtsOct. 20, 195724
Philadelphia EaglesChicago CardinalsOct. 25, 195924
Detroit LionsDallas CowboysOct. 2, 201124
New England PatriotsDenver BroncosNov. 24, 201324
Los Angeles RaidersDenver BroncosSep. 26, 198824
Kansas City ChiefsHouston TexansJan. 12, 202024
Miami DolphinsNew England PatriotsDec. 15, 197424
Denver BroncosBoston PatriotsOct. 23, 196024
San Francisco 49ersNew York GiantsJan. 5, 200324
Denver BroncosSan Diego ChargersOct. 15, 201224
Los Angeles RaidersSan Diego ChargersNov. 22, 198224
Denver BroncosSeattle SeahawksSep. 23, 197924
Minnesota VikingsSan Francisco 49ersDec. 4, 197724
Washington RedskinsTampa Bay BuccaneersOct. 25, 201524
Los Angeles RamsTampa Bay BuccaneersDec. 6, 199224
Philadelphia EaglesWashington RedskinsOct. 27, 194624

This game also marks the second time Colts quarterback Matt Ryan has appeared on the list. He was the Falcons' quarterback when Atlanta blew a 28-3 lead against the Patriots in Super Bowl 51. That game is now tied for the sixth-largest comeback of all time, and it remains the largest Super Bowl deficit overcome.

Ryan now has the unfortunate distinction of being the quarterback for the largest blown lead in NFL history overall and the largest in the Super Bowl.

Biggest halftime comebacks in NFL history

The Vikings' comeback also represented the largest halftime deficit overcome in NFL history. A look at that list:

Winning teamLosing teamDateDeficit
Minnesota VikingsIndianapolis ColtsDec. 17, 202233
San Francisco 49ersNew Orleans SaintsDec. 7, 198028
Buffalo BillsHouston OilersJan. 3, 199325
New England PatriotsDenver BroncosNov. 24, 201324
Denver BroncosSan Diego ChargersOct. 15, 201224
Los Angeles RamsTampa Bay BuccaneersDec. 6, 199224
Los Angeles RaidersDenver BroncosSep. 26, 198824
Philadelphia EaglesWashington RedskinsOct. 27, 194624
Green Bay PackersDallas CowboysDec. 15, 201323
Green Bay PackersLos Angeles RamsSep. 12, 198223
New England PatriotsNew York GiantsDec. 21, 199622
Miami DolphinsBaltimore RavensSep. 18, 202221
San Diego ChargersSan Francisco 49ersDec. 20, 201421
Detroit LionsAtlanta FalconsOct. 26, 201421
Indianapolis ColtsKansas City ChiefsJan. 4, 201421
Philadelphia EaglesNew York GiantsDec. 19, 201021
Tennessee TitansNew York GiantsNov. 26, 200621
San Diego ChargersCincinnati BengalsNov. 12, 200621
St. Louis RamsHouston TexansNov. 27, 200521
Indianapolis ColtsTampa Bay BuccaneersOct. 6, 200321
New England PatriotsIndianapolis ColtsSep. 19, 199921
Cincinnati BengalsMinnesota VikingsDec. 24, 199521
Indianapolis ColtsMiami DolphinsOct. 8, 199521
Minnesota VikingsSan Francisco 49ersOct. 24, 196521
Los Angeles RamsGreen Bay PackersNov. 17, 195721
New York GiantsChicago CardinalsOct. 30, 194921
Los Angeles RamsDetroit LionsOct. 24, 194821

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.