Frank Reich

The backup who delivered the greatest comeback in NFL history.

Frank Reich is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who played 14 seasons in the NFL. Selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1985 draft, he spent most of his career backing up Jim Kelly. Reich gained legendary status after leading the Bills to a historic comeback against the Houston Oilers on January 3, 1993, erasing a 32-point deficit to win 41–38 in overtime. This remains the largest comeback in NFL history and has not been surpassed.

Quick Facts

Current team: New York Jets
Position: offensive coordinator
Born: 4 December 1961
Birthplace: Freeport, New York, U.S.
High school: Cedar Crest (Lebanon, Pennsylvania)
College: Maryland (1980–1984)
Draftyear: 1985
Draftround: 3

Lore & Background

Reich's connection to Buffalo runs deep, beginning with his selection as the 57th overall pick in 1985. While Jim Kelly was the starter, Reich proved his mettle whenever called upon. In 1989, he started after a Kelly injury, rallying the Bills from behind to beat the Los Angeles Rams 23–20 in front of 76,231 fans at Rich Stadium; notably, the Rams had lost games earlier that season and finished with an 11-5 record. His most defining moment came during the 1992–93 playoffs. After the Bills collapsed against Houston earlier that season, they faced the Oilers again with Kelly out due to a knee injury. Trailing 35–3 early in the third quarter on January 3, 1993, Reich orchestrated four scoring drives in the second half and overtime. This 41–38 victory made him one of the few quarterbacks undefeated as a starter in postseason play with exactly one start.

Reader's Guide

For fans of the Bills, Frank Reich represents resilience and clutch performance under pressure. His story is not one of a long-term starter, but of a reliable leader who delivered when it mattered most. Key to understanding his tenure is the specific date of January 3, 1993, when he led the largest comeback in NFL history at that time (32 points). He holds the unique distinction of being undefeated as a starter in postseason play with multiple starts. While he later served as an assistant and eventually head coach elsewhere, his legacy is cemented by those two playoff victories in Buffalo. Fans should note that while he started two games, Jim Kelly returned for the AFC Championship and Super Bowl XXVII, where Reich replaced an injured Kelly late in the game but could not complete a comeback against Dallas.