The Big Lead

The Eagles' Amazing Comeback, the Giants' Collapse, & the Biggest 4th Quarter Comebacks in NFL History

By Jason Lisk

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Yesterday, the Giants had a 24-10 lead on the Eagles as the game went to the fourth quarter, and after Eli Manning connected with Kevin Boss for his fourth touchdown pass of the game with 8:23 remaining, the Giants had what seemed like an insurmountable 21-point lead with little over half a quarter remaining. The only way the Giants could lose that game was by giving up quick scores, and giving away possessions.

Still, the Giants got the ball back in a tie game with 1:10 left, so they still had the advantage. Two incompletions and a Manning sack, though, meant the Giants had to punt with 14 seconds left from his own 29.  Matt Dodge, the Giants punter, absolutely had to get that punt out of bounds in that situation.  A 30 yard punt out of bounds to Philadelphia (who had no timeouts left) would have meant the Eagles basically needed a hail mary to win the game.  DeSean Jackson is the most explosive player in the game, and he appeared to call his shot before the punt.  Dodge kicked it down the middle on a line, and we got pure DeSean Jackson magic, with the first “walk-off” punt return touchdown at the end of regulation time in NFL history.

After an exhaustive search, here are the other games in NFL history I found where a team overcame a 21-point fourth quarter deficit or greater to win the game, in reverse chronological order:

  • Tennessee Titans vs. New York Giants, November 26, 2006.  New York led 21-0 at start of 4th, lost 24-21.
  • Indianapolis Colts vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, October 6, 2003.  In this famous Monday night game, Colts trailed 35-14 after Ronde Barber interception return in the 4th, Manning led 3 touchdown drives, and Colts won 38-35 in OT.
  • New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins, October 23, 2000.  The Monday Night Miracle.  Dolphins led 30-7 at start of the 4th, Jets won 40-37 in OT.
  • Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins, September 12, 1999.  Redskins led 35-14 at start of 4th, Aikman threw two touchdowns to Irvin, then hit Raghib Ismail in OT for a 41-35 Cowboys win.
  • St. Louis Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, November 8, 1987.  The largest 4th quarter deficit overcome at 25 points.  Tampa Bay led 28-3 until the Cardinals scored with 12:42 left, then got a fumble return TD two plays later to make it 28-17.  The comeback was completed at the 2:01 mark on a touchdown pass from Neil Lomax to J.T. Smith, and the immortal Donald Igwebuike missed a tying field goal that hit the crossbar.
  • Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles, December 1, 1985.  Eagles led 23-0 at start of fourth, Vikings got a 65 yard fumble return and two Anthony Carter touchdowns to win 28-23.
  • Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints, October 21, 1984.  New Orleans led 27-6 after Gary Hogeboom threw an interception return TD, hurt his hand, and was replaced by Danny White.  The Cowboys got a blocked punt that set up one TD, and scored the tying touchdown on a fumble recovery in the end zone.  Dallas won in overtime 30-27.
  • Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers, October 12, 1952.  The Packers led 28-6 in the fourth, but the Rams scored 24 in the fourth, as Bob Waterfield threw passes that set up touchdowns, kicked the extra points, and made a field goal.

[photos via Getty]