Can a team overcome a 25-point halftime deficit to win a Super Bowl?

As Super Bowl LIX reaches halftime, the Philadelphia Eagles are dominating the Kansas City Chiefs with a commanding 24-0 lead. However, if Patrick Mahomes manages to lead the Chiefs to a victory, it would mark the greatest halftime comeback in Super Bowl history, breaking a record that has stood for eight years.

The record-breaking comeback in Super Bowl LI

The largest halftime deficit ever overcome in a Super Bowl was set during Super Bowl LI in 2017 when the Atlanta Falcons led the New England Patriots 21-3 at halftime. No team had ever turned around such a significant halftime deficit to win the prestigious game, until Tom Brady and the Patriots defied all odds.

With Brady at the helm and under coach Bill Belichick's guidance, the Patriots made history by overcoming an 18-point halftime gap to defeat the Falcons 34-28 in overtime, clinching their fifth Super Bowl title. In addition to the remarkable halftime comeback, the Patriots also set the record for the largest overall deficit overcome in a Super Bowl, which occurred after the Falcons had taken a commanding 25-point lead midway through the third quarter.

The Tom Brady magic

Despite being down by 16 points with less than six minutes left in regulation, Brady led the Patriots on two critical scoring drives. The first included a six-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola, followed by a successful two-point conversion run by James White. Then, Brady orchestrated another drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by White and a Brady-to-Amendola conversion pass, tying the game at 28.

In overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss, and the Falcons' offense never saw the field. Brady completed five straight passes for 50 yards, setting up a two-yard touchdown run by White, sealing the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.

Eagles lead, but can the Chiefs respond?

As of halftime in Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles hold the second-largest halftime lead in Super Bowl history. The record was previously set during Super Bowl XXII when Washington led Denver 35-10 at halftime. Additionally, in Super Bowl XXIV, San Francisco held a 27-3 lead over Denver at the midway point.

However, Kansas City’s star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid are no strangers to dramatic comebacks. Much like Brady and Belichick’s historic performance, it’s difficult to count out the Chiefs, especially with Mahomes under center.