The Best Comebacks in League Playoff History

16 May 2025

Sports leagues are where legends are born, and nothing cements a player or team's legacy quite like a historic comeback. The drama, the tension, the sheer will to overcome the odds—it’s what keeps fans on the edge of their seats. But not all comebacks are built the same. Some defy logic, the kind that makes you want to rewatch the highlights over and over, just to believe it actually happened.

In this article, we’re diving deep into some of the best comebacks in league playoff history. The kind of turnarounds that left jaws on the floor and fans buzzing for decades. So, buckle up, because these are the moments when teams refused to quit, no matter the odds stacked against them.

The Anatomy of a Great Comeback

Before we dive into the specific games, let’s talk about what makes a comeback truly great. Sure, any team can sneak out a win after trailing, but the best comebacks have a few key ingredients:

1. High Stakes: When the season is on the line, everything feels more dramatic. Playoff comebacks are special because there’s no tomorrow if you lose.

2. Overcoming Huge Deficits: Trailing by a significant margin is a must. The bigger the hole, the sweeter the climb back to the top.

3. Clutch Performances: Whether it’s a single player catching fire or the entire team stepping up, clutch moments are what define these games.

4. Time Crunch: The best comebacks happen when time is running out. There’s something about watching the clock wind down while a team claws their way back into the game.

Now that we've nailed down what makes a comeback legendary, let’s jump into some of the greatest playoff comebacks across various leagues.

1. The 28-3: Super Bowl LI (2017)

If we’re talking about comebacks, you can’t ignore the NFL’s Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons. This game is the gold standard of playoff comebacks and is now etched into football lore.

The Patriots were down 28-3 with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. At that point, most fans had written them off. I mean, how could you not? A 25-point deficit in the Super Bowl? Unheard of.

But then, the magic started. Tom Brady, already a five-time Super Bowl champion at the time, led a furious rally. The Patriots scored 25 unanswered points to tie the game at 28-28, forcing the first overtime in Super Bowl history. In overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss, marched down the field, and scored the game-winning touchdown.

The lesson here? Never count out Brady and the Patriots. It’s one of those comebacks that will probably be talked about forever.

2. The Cleveland Cavaliers Overcome a 3-1 Deficit (2016 NBA Finals)

Basketball fans, this one’s for you. The 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors was one for the ages. The Warriors were fresh off a record-breaking 73-win regular season and had a 3-1 lead in the Finals. At that point, it seemed like a foregone conclusion—they were going to win their second consecutive title.

But LeBron James had other plans. The Cavaliers clawed their way back, winning Game 5 on the road, Game 6 at home, and then Game 7 in Oakland. LeBron’s iconic chase-down block in the final minutes of Game 7 and Kyrie Irving's clutch three-pointer sealed the deal.

This was more than just a comeback in a series—it was a comeback for the entire city of Cleveland. The Cavs' victory gave the city its first major sports championship in 52 years.

3. The Miracle on Manchester (1982 NHL Playoffs)

If you’re a hockey fan, you’ve probably heard of the Miracle on Manchester. This insane comeback happened during the 1982 NHL playoffs when the Los Angeles Kings faced the heavily favored Edmonton Oilers.

In Game 3 of the series, the Oilers had a commanding 5-0 lead going into the third period. It seemed like a done deal. But the Kings had other ideas. They scored five goals in the final period to tie the game and send it to overtime. In OT, Daryl Evans scored the game-winner, completing one of the most shocking comebacks in NHL playoff history.

The Oilers were a powerhouse, led by Wayne Gretzky, but that night, the Kings proved that no lead is safe, especially in the playoffs.

4. The Boston Red Sox Break the Curse (2004 ALCS)

Baseball fans, you knew this one was coming. The 2004 Boston Red Sox pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in MLB history during the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against their bitter rivals, the New York Yankees.

The Red Sox were down 3-0 in the series. No team had ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series in MLB playoff history. But the Sox didn’t care about history—they were determined to make their own.

They won Game 4 in extra innings, then took Game 5 in another nail-biter. By the time they won Game 6, momentum was on their side. In Game 7, they demolished the Yankees to complete the comeback.

This wasn’t just a comeback in a playoff series; it was a comeback that broke the infamous "Curse of the Bambino", as the Red Sox went on to win their first World Series in 86 years.

5. Liverpool’s Miracle in Istanbul (2005 UEFA Champions League Final)

Soccer comebacks are often the most dramatic, and few are more iconic than Liverpool’s comeback in the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final against AC Milan.

At halftime, Milan was leading 3-0, and Liverpool looked dead in the water. Milan was stacked with world-class talent, and no one could have predicted what was about to happen next.

But in just six minutes in the second half, Liverpool roared back with three goals. The game went into extra time and eventually penalties, where Liverpool triumphed, completing one of the most improbable comebacks in soccer history. It’s a match Liverpool fans still sing about to this day.

6. The Buffalo Bills’ Comeback for the Ages (1993 NFL Playoffs)

Dubbed “The Comeback,” the Buffalo Bills pulled off one of the most outrageous turnarounds in NFL playoff history during the 1993 Wild Card Game against the Houston Oilers.

The Bills were trailing 35-3 early in the third quarter. With their starting quarterback, Jim Kelly, out due to injury, backup Frank Reich was thrust into the spotlight. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. Reich led the Bills to score 35 unanswered points and eventually win the game 41-38 in overtime.

Not only did the Bills win the game, but they also went on to make their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. It’s a comeback that still leaves football fans in disbelief.

7. The San Francisco Giants Overcome the Odds (2012 NLDS)

In the 2012 National League Division Series (NLDS), the San Francisco Giants found themselves down 2-0 in a best-of-five series against the Cincinnati Reds. Up until that point, no team had ever come back from a 2-0 deficit in a five-game series after losing the first two games at home.

But this Giants team was different. They won Game 3, Game 4, and then Game 5—on the road, no less—to shock the baseball world. They didn’t just stop there. The Giants went on to win the World Series, continuing their underdog story.

8. Golden State Warriors' Collapse (2016 NBA Finals)

We’ve talked about the Cavs’ comeback, but it’s impossible to ignore the collapse on the other side. The Golden State Warriors were sitting pretty with a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals. They had the MVP, Stephen Curry, and a team full of sharpshooters. They were the defending champs, and it looked like they were going to cement their dynasty.

But the Warriors went ice-cold in the final three games. Whether it was LeBron’s brilliance, Draymond Green’s suspension, or just bad luck, the Warriors couldn’t close it out. Instead, they became the first team to blow a 3-1 lead in NBA Finals history.

It’s the kind of collapse that still stings for Warriors fans, but it also paved the way for them to sign Kevin Durant in the offseason. Funny how things work out, huh?

Final Whistle

Comebacks in sports are like watching a movie where you think you know the ending, only for the plot to take a wild twist. They remind us why we love sports in the first place—because anything can happen. The thrill, the tension, the emotional rollercoaster—it’s all part of the ride.

Whether it’s football, basketball, hockey, soccer, or baseball, these comebacks will live on in the memories of fans forever. They’re proof that no matter how bleak things look, there’s always a chance for something magical to happen.

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