Bills Erase 32 Points in Greatest Playoff Comeback

# The Miracle Comeback: The Bills' Historic Rally (January 13, 1993)

On January 13, 1993, the Buffalo Bills orchestrated what remains the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history, erasing a 32-point deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime in an AFC Wild Card game at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

The game started as a complete disaster for the Bills. Houston's backup quarterback, Warren Moon (filling in for injured starter Cody Carlson who actually started but was ineffective), threw four touchdown passes in the first half. The Oilers' run-and-shoot offense was unstoppable, and by halftime, Houston led 28-3. Bills fans began heading for the exits in droves, convinced their team's season was over.

Things got even worse early in the third quarter when Moon connected with Webster Slaughter for another touchdown, making it 35-3. The game appeared to be the most lopsided playoff blowout in recent memory. But then, something incredible happened.

Bills backup quarterback Frank Reich, who had replaced an ineffective Jim Kelly (out with a knee injury), began to find his rhythm. Reich, who had orchestrated the greatest comeback in college football history while at Maryland in 1984, seemed destined for this moment. He led the Bills on a furious scoring spree, throwing four touchdown passes in the second half.

Running back Kenneth Davis punched in a one-yard touchdown to make it 35-10. Then Reich hit Don Beebe for a 38-yard score: 35-17. The momentum was shifting. Reich connected with Andre Reed for a 26-yard touchdown: 35-24. Suddenly, Rich Stadium was rocking again as fans who had left tried desperately to get back into the venue.

The defense, which had been shredded in the first half, suddenly stiffened. They began forcing turnovers and giving the offense short fields. Reich found Reed again for an 18-yard touchdown, and incredibly, with just over three minutes left in regulation, the score was 35-31.

The Bills recovered an onside kick, and Reich masterfully drove them down the field. With time running out, he hit Reed for a third touchdown, giving Buffalo their first lead of the game at 38-35. The crowd was delirious.

But the drama wasn't over. Moon drove the Oilers back down the field, and Al Del Greco kicked a 26-yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining to force overtime at 38-38.

In overtime, Buffalo won the coin toss. Reich moved the Bills into field goal range, and Steve Christie kicked a 32-yard field goal to complete the improbable 41-38 victory. The Bills had scored 38 unanswered points in the second half and overtime.

Reich finished 21-of-34 for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Andre Reed caught eight passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The Oilers, who had dominated so thoroughly in the first half, were left stunned and devastated.

This game became known simply as "The Comeback" and remains a defining moment in NFL lore. The 32-point deficit they overcame still stands as the largest comeback in NFL playoff history. For Bills fans, it was a moment of pure euphoria. For the Oilers, it was the beginning of the end for a franchise that would eventually relocate to Tennessee.

The game exemplifies why sports captivate us—the unpredictability, the resilience, and the reminder that no lead is ever truly safe. January 13, 1993, will forever be remembered as the day the impossible became possible in Buffalo.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI