When one side has one of those dream halves that happen every few years where they run out to a massive lead which seems unassailable it’s so tempting to put all your money on them. Often they won’t ever lose in the scenario, but in sports, never say never.

If you’d be willing to bet a million dollars at half time that your team will win as they are so far ahead, just know, you can still lose that million dollars.

Here are four awesome comebacks in the College Football and NFL.

Houston Oilers vs. Buffalo Bills, January 3rd, 1993: This was a playoff game between two wild card teams.Given the status, it’s not uncommon for blowout scores as one team crumbles under finals pressure. At halftime, Houston were 28-3 ahead. A lead that went out to 35-3 after halftime. Surely Buffalo needed to score the first points after halftime right?

Well, by the end of the third quarter Buffalo closed the gap to 35-31 with four touchdowns in quick succession. Adding drama to the game, they won the final quarter 7-3 making it a 38 all draw at the end of the game. With a penalty kick in overtime they went on to a famous victory, the largest comeback in NFL history.

Maryland Terrapins vs. Miami Hurricanes, November 10th, 1984: At halftime the Hurricanes were cruising at a 31-0 lead. In what the coach will call a touch of genius backup coach replaced the quarterback with backup Reich. It would make sense to give the backup some game time in a seemingly unwinnable game. An hour or so later and it was game on and the Terrapins came away with a 42-40 victory. Incredibly, the Hurricanes were undefeated going into the game.

Michigan State vs. Northwestern, October 21st, 2006: In the fourth round of the season, Michigan were off to a much better start to the season (3-0). They weren’t up for this game however, with Northwestern getting up to a 24-3 lead at halftime. Northwestern continued their momentum extending their lead to 38-3 part way through the third quarter. The tide soon turned however and Michigan State flew home! 38 unanswered points made for a famous 41-38 victory.

Buffalo Bills vs. Indianapolis Colts, September 21st, 1997: The Colts had a flat start to the season, with three losses. They started this game off really well though with just two touchdowns on the way to a 26-0 lead thanks to four penalty kicks by Cary Blanchard. The Bills managed to close the gap to 26-10 at halftime giving them a little bit of momentum. After halftime, the Bills continued this and before the Colts knew what happened they had lost 37-35. Not fun going into a bye week and they ended up losing the first 10 games of their season.
You may remember seeing some of these games. They are pretty memorable that’s for sure. When you’re thinking about putting on a large sum of money at halftime on what you think is a sure win, think twice back to these games. You just never know which is part of what makes sport awesome.