When epic playoff comebacks are orchestrated by backup quarterbacks, they feel even more special. Frank Reich was that next man up for injured future Hall of Fame starter Jim Kelly against Warren Moon and the Oilers at home in a No. 4 vs. No. 5 AFC wild-card playoff matchup after the 1992 season.
Houston jumped out to a 28-3 lead at halftime thanks to Moon throwing four TD strikes. It looked even bleaker for Reich when he threw a pick-six to make it a 35-3 deficit early in the third quarter. Making matters worse, future Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas was knocked out with a hip injury.
But the Bills remembered the inspiring halftime words of coach Marv Levy and exploded for four touchdowns in under seven minutes, with Reich hitting future Hall of Famer Andre Reed twice. They entered the fourth quarter trailing just 35-31.Reich threw his fourth touchdown of the second half to give the Bills the lead, but Houston forced overtime in the closing seconds with a field goal. The Bills’ defense, which shut down Moon in the second half, came up with an interception to set up a Steve Christie game-winning field goal in overtime.
#OTD in 1993 the Buffalo Bills led by Frank Reich complete the greatest comeback in NFL history, recovering from a 35-3 deficit the defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in the AFC Wild Card game. pic.twitter.com/p8duEdAOE5
— ThisDateInBuffaloSportsHistory (@BuffSportsHstry) January 3, 2024
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