Never say never.
Crazy things happen in the sports world all the time. That’s what makes them so exciting to watch. From sensational individual performances to incredible overtime thrillers, sports always deliver on the theatrics.
Nothing beats an incredible comeback. Over the years, there have been a plethora of jaw-dropping comeback stories across all different leagues. Of course, these kinds of contests get ramped up in attention when it comes to the playoffs.
Comebacks and collapses will always be part of sports, but what are the greatest in history?
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Greatest comebacks in sports history
Patriots 28-3 comeback against Falcons, Super Bowl LI
“28-3.” That’s all you have to say to send a shiver down the spines of Falcons fans and see a smile cast upon a Patriots follower.
At Super Bowl LI, it looked certain that Atlanta would take down the mighty New England dynasty. Up 28-3 with just minutes left in the third quarter, the Falcons could practically taste victory.
However, when it’s the dominant duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick on the other side, it’s never over until the clock hits zero. The Pats rattled off 25 unanswered points in the second half to knot the game at 28-28, forcing overtime. Matthew Slater correctly called heads in overtime, and soon after, James White took a handoff across the goal line for the touchdown, completing the improbable comeback.
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Red Sox 3-0 comeback against Yankees, 2004 ALCS
The Red Sox could not have looked more dead in the water during the 2004 ALCS. The Yankees cruised by the rivals through the first three games, taking a commanding 3-0 lead into Game 4.
Boston wasn’t done yet.
David Ortiz and Co. powered their way to four consecutive victories, with “Big Papi” coming through in the clutch multiple times for the Red Sox. Boston stunned New York in Game 7 in the Bronx, punching its ticket to the World Series and a chance to break the franchise’s lengthy curse.
The Red Sox did not lose again, sweeping the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series to snap the 86-year “Curse of the Bambino.”
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Cubs 3-1 comeback against Cubs, 2016 World Series
From the “Curse of the Bambino” to the “Curse of the Billy Goat.” Like the Red Sox, the Cubs snapped their championship drought in fashion during the 2016 World Series.
Chicago fell behind 3-1 to Cleveland in the Fall Classic. It seemed like the Indians were well on their way to securing what would have been the franchise’s first World Series since 1948.
Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist, and the Cubs had other plans. From Bryant’s clutch home run in Game 5 to Addison Russell’s grand slam in Game 6 to Ben Zobrist’s 10th-inning RBI double in Game 7, the Cubs willed their way back from the dead to end the 71-year winless streak.
Bills 35-3 comeback against Oilers, 1993 Wild Card
It’s known simply as the “The Comeback.”
The Bills were dead in the water during their 1993 AFC wild card contest against the Houston Oilers, who built an impressive 28-3 halftime lead that was extended to 35-3 in the third quarter. To make matters worse, Jim Kelly was injured, leaving it up to the backup, Frank Reich, whose interception led to the 32-point deficit.
But then, Reich and the Bills quickly staged an incredible comeback, scoring 28 points in the third quarter and eventually tying the game at 38-38. In overtime, Reich made a long completion to James Lofton, which led to a 32-yard field goal by Steve Christie, lifting Buffalo to the 41-38 win.
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Liverpool 3-0 comeback against AC Milan, 2005 UEFA Champions League Final
When Liverpool and AC Milan met in the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, it was expected to be a historic battle between two giants of European soccer. It turned out to be better than anticipated.
AC Milan got out to a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime, putting Liverpool in an improbable situation. The match seemed out of reach just 45 minutes in, but it all shifted in the second half. Just nine minutes in, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored, kickstarting the comeback.
Liverpool eventually tied the game at 3-3, forcing extra time. No goals were scored, so penalties were required. Liverpool eventually pulled out, completing the incredible comeback and winning the UEFA Champions League.
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