AFC Divisional Playoff: Marino 18-pt comeback

The Miami Dolphins entered their AFC Divisional playoff game against the 8-8 Browns as double-digit favorites, but it would take one of the league’s great all-time comebacks for them to prevail. Playing at the Orange Bowl on January 4, 1986, the Browns dominated for much of the game, taking a 21-3 lead with five minutes left in the third quarter after a 66-yard rushing touchdown by Earnest Byner. But the Browns, partly due to mistakes such as bad punts and missed blocks, couldn’t hold the lead as Marino led the Dolphins back. He threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nat Moore and then Miami scored another touchdown on a 31-yard run by Ron Davenport. Davenport, a rookie running back out of Louisville, then scored on a 1-yard run late as Miami won, 24-21. The Browns spoiled an excellent effort by Byner, who rushed for two touchdowns and 161 yards on just 16 carries. Miami’s 18-point comeback tied for the second biggest in playoff history; the Dolphins would lose, though, to the Patriots in the AFC Championship. ― NFL 100

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