Denver has been
one of the AFC’s most consistent teams since the mid-1970s.
From 1977 to 1999 the team reached the playoffs 13 times and the
Super Bowl six times. Longtime Broncos quarterback John Elway reached
the NFL’s all-time top five in career passing yards, quarterback
rushing yards, and completions. Former head coach Dan Reeves compiled
one of the highest winning percentages (.581) in NFL history during
his 12 seasons with the club.
Under head coach
Mike Shanahan, the Broncos captured the first Super Bowl championship
in the franchise’s history by defeating the Green Bay Packers
in 1998. The team returned to the Super Bowl in 1999 and defeated
the Atlanta Falcons.
The Broncos
became charter members of the American Football League (AFL) in
1960. Despite strong defensive units that included cornerback Goose
Gonsoulin and tackles Dave Costa and Bud McFadin, Denver’s
best AFL win-loss record was 7-7 in 1962.
The Broncos
joined the NFL when the NFL and AFL completed their merger in 1970.
In 1973 the Broncos posted a 7-5 win-loss record behind head coach
John Ralston, who won the coach of the year award. Running back
Floyd Little and wide receiver Riley Odoms powered the AFC’s
top-rated offense that year.
The Broncos
steadily improved through the 1970s and surprised the league in
1977 when they won a franchise-record 12 games behind head coach
Red Miller. The team captured its first-ever Western Division title
with the AFC’s top defense, which was anchored by end Lyle
Alzado, linebacker Randy Gradishar, and cornerback Louis Wright.
Quarterback Craig Morton piloted a steady offense, and the Broncos
advanced to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys.
Denver made the playoffs the following two seasons but fell in the
first round each time.
During the 11
years following the strike-shortened season of 1982, Denver made
7 postseason appearances. As a rookie, John Elway led the team to
a playoff berth in 1983 and to 13 victories in 1984. In the latter
year, wide receiver Steve Watson and running back Sammy Winder each
enjoyed 1,000-yard seasons. The club once again fielded the AFC’s
top defense, this time anchored by linebacker Karl Mecklenburg and
safety Dennis Smith.
Reeves guided
Denver to three Super Bowls in four years during the late 1980s,
but despite offensive units that featured Elway, running back Bobby
Humphrey, and receiver Vance Johnson, as well as consistently strong
defenses, the Broncos failed to earn an NFL championship.
During the mid-1990s
Denver remained a division power as the team’s offense added
wide receivers Shannon Sharpe and Anthony Miller and running back
Terrell Davis. The Broncos hired former San Francisco 49ers offensive
coordinator Mike Shanahan as head coach before the 1995 season.
A year later he guided Denver to 13 regular-season wins and an AFC
Western Division title. In the playoffs, however, the Broncos were
upset by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Denver finished
the 1997 season with a 12-4 win-loss record, earning a wild card
berth in the AFC playoffs. They bested the Jaguars, the Kansas City
Chiefs, and the Pittsburgh Steelers to advance to the Super Bowl.
In Super Bowl XXXII Denver defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-24.
The team was led by Davis, who rushed for 157 yards. In 1998 the
Broncos posted a 14-2 win-loss record during the regular season.
Denver defeated the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets to gain
its fifth Super Bowl appearance. In Super Bowl XXXIII, the Broncos
bested the Atlanta Falcons, 34-19. After the season, Elway retired.
1978 XII Lost
to Dallas Cowboys, 27-10
1987 XXI Lost to New York Giants, 39-20
1988 XXII Lost to Washington Redskins, 42-10
1990 XXIV Lost to San Francisco 49ers, 55-10
1998 XXXII Defeated Green Bay Packers, 31-24
1999 XXXIII Defeated Atlanta Falcons, 34-19
