PRO FOOTBALL / NFL PLAYOFF REPORT : AFC : 49ers Were Comeback Kings

The largest NFL comeback before the Buffalo Bills’ 41-38 victory Sunday over the Houston Oilers occurred on Dec. 7, 1980, at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers, trailing the New Orleans Saints, 35-7, rallied to win, 38-35.

The largest postseason comeback also came in San Francisco, but at Kezar Stadium. The Detroit Lions, trailing San Francisco, 27-7, came back to win, 31-27, on Dec. 22, 1957.

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Sunday’s overtime game was the third in an AFC wild-card matchup. All three have involved the Oilers. . . . Houston beat the Seattle Seahawks, 23-20, in overtime in 1987, and lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-20, in a 1989 overtime game. . . . The 79 points in Sunday’s game tied an NFL playoff record set by the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins in a 1981 divisional playoff game which the Chargers won, 41-38.

Asked about the ramifications of Sunday’s loss, Warren Moon said: “I’m kind of numb to everything except the fact that we lost. I’m trying to figure out why. It’s very difficult to end this way. I’d rather get beat, 50-0, than to get beat this way in overtime. It’s going to be a tough off-season to swallow.” . . . Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly, who sat out Sunday’s game because of a sprained right knee, doesn’t know if he will be back for next Saturday’s second-round game against Pittsburgh.