Blowouts can be newsworthy, but epic comebacks are even more fun. Some of the best NFL quarterbacks have built their reputations on clutch performances. It's a thrill when a team rallies from behind in the fourth quarter and marches down the field one last time to seal the game.
In January 2026, San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy and Los Angeles Rams' Matthew Stafford led their teams to victory by way of a game-winning drive. It's the fourth time both players won a playoff game in that fashion.
Who are the all-time great quarterbacks synonymous with late-game heroics? Take a look at leaders during the regular season and playoffs below:
Most regular-season game-winning drives (since 1950)
Tom Brady, 58
Peyton Manning, 54
Drew Brees, 53
Matthew Stafford, 50
Dan Marino, 47
Matt Ryan, 46
Brett Favre, 43
John Elway, 40
Russell Wilson, 40
Johnny Unitas, 38
Eli Manning, 37
Aaron Rodgers, 36
Derek Carr, 35
Warren Moon, 35
Carson Palmer, 35
Philip Rivers, 35
Most regular-season fourth-quarter comebacks (since 1950)
Tom Brady, 46
Peyton Manning, 43
Ben Roethlisberger, 41
Matthew Stafford, 39
Matt Ryan, 38
Drew Brees, 36
Johnny Unitas, 34
Dan Marino, 33
Russell Wilson, 32
John Elway, 31
Philip Rivers, 29
Fran Tarkenton, 29
Vinny Testaverde, 29
Derek Carr, 28
Brett Favre, 28
Eli Manning, 27
Most postseason game-winning drives (since 1950)
Tom Brady, 14
Patrick Mahomes, 7
John Elway, 6
Matthew Stafford, 5
Eli Manning, 5
Joe Montana, 5
Brock Purdy, 4
Terry Bradshaw, 4
Dan Marino, 4
Ben Roethlisberger, 4
Russell Wilson, 4
Most postseason fourth-quarter comebacks (since 1950)
Tom Brady, 9
Joe Montana, 5
Terry Bradshaw, 4
John Elway, 4
Eli Manning, 4
Russell Wilson, 4
Matthew Stafford, 3
Ben Roethlisberger, 3
Ken Stabler, 3
Dan Marino, 3
Dan Fouts, 3
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