Big Comebacks are starting to become the norm in the NFL these days. There used to be a point in time where if your team had a double-digit lead, you’d feel confident that’ll be able to hold on and ultimately prevail to victory. With all of the rule changes over the past few years, it appears that no lead is safe.

It’s no secret that the NFL is a pass happy league, but that didn’t occur overnight. The rule changes allow receivers to run free without very little to no contact at all. Defensive backs are at such a disadvantage because it’s nearly impossible to cover a receiver for 5-6 seconds, which makes getting pressure on the quarterback that much more important.

Nonetheless, teams have rallied from deficits of 10 points or more to win 16 times this season; from deficits of 13 or more nine times; and from deficits of 17 or more five times. All three are the second most through five weeks in a season since the merger in 1970.

Brian Hoyer and his Cleveland Browns have played a major role in this comeback themed season. The Browns overcame a 24-point deficit against Pittsburgh in the season opener, before falling short on a Shaun Suisham game-winning field goal. However, this past Sunday, Cleveland was on the winning side of a historical rally. Cleveland became the first team in NFL history to win a road game when trailing by 25 points or more against the Tennessee Titans.

“No matter what the scoreboard says the guys on offense are really good at just focusing on the job we have to do and the task at hand,” Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas said. “We never press. And good plays are stacking up.

“Defensively, it’s the same way. It kind of comes from the head coach [Mike Pettine]. He’s a steady guy. He’s not a roller-coaster type head coach. That helps get you into those situations where you can get stops and you can get those come-from-behind victories.”

Of course the buck doesn’t stop with the Cleveland.

Teams have rallied from deficits of 10 points or more to win 16 times this season; from deficits of 13 or more nine times; and from deficits of 17 or more five times. All three are the second most through five weeks in a season since the merger in 1970.

The Philadelphia Eagles are sitting at 4-1, but everything hasn’t been pretty for them either. They overcame deficits of 17, 14 and 10 to win their first three games. Before the Browns historic comeback, the Dallas Cowboys had the largest comeback of the season, when they trailed against the St. Louis Rams, 21-0.

While rule changes have definitely affected the game, complacency also plays a part.

“It’s crazy, but it’s cool,” said Steelers quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who has engineered a few comeback victories in his nine seasons in the NFL, including one at Heinz Field in 2009 when he played for Oakland. “Every Sunday is a true battle. Any given Sunday any team can win. That’s just the truth of the matter.

“You see some teams play a great first half and they come out SLOW in the second half, and the other team is on fire. You can’t put your finger on what it is, but in this day and age in this league you can never relax because every team has enough tools to make plays and mount comebacks. You can never take a step back and say: ‘Cool we’ve got this game in the bag.’ Everyone competes and continues to play. It’s why football is the greatest. It’s the ultimate team sport.”

For now on, when your team has a big lead, don’t get too comfortable.