As one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, the Denver Broncos have had a great team or two in their time. How do those teams stack up against one another?
Let’s take a look at the best that the Mile High City has to offer.
The Greatest Teams in Denver Broncos History
Who makes the list of the greatest teams in Denver Broncos history? Let the debate begin as we compare the best of the best from a franchise that has made eight Super Bowls and walked away champion three times.
1977 Denver Broncos (12-2, Lost in Super Bowl XII)
The final year of the 14-game NFL schedule was a memorable one for the Broncos. The orange and blue went 12-2, winning the division and finishing first in the conference. The offense was in the top 10 but was truly held up by their third-ranked defense.
Craig Morton played every game and was simply okay, but it didn’t keep the Broncos from starting hot, losing only to the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. The Broncos got revenge on the Raiders in the AFC Championship game that year, winning by three to go to their first Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t get the better of the Cowboys in the rematch. Though there was joy for the team finally making it to the elite of the NFL, losing on the biggest stage had to be a major letdown. It would also be the start of a narrative for the Broncos in the biggest game of the year going forward.
Roger Staubach ➡️ Butch Johnson for a 47-yard touchdown.
Watch the @dallascowboys Super Bowl XII victory for FREE on https://t.co/TAuzHhPGvH: https://t.co/03g5AKmZhK pic.twitter.com/fRv2mATBnK
— NFL (@NFL) May 11, 2020
https://x.com/NFL/status/1259641873066532866?s=20
1989 Denver Broncos (11-5, Lost in Super Bowl XXIV)
Going into the 1989 season, there was a sense of needing a bounce-back. The Broncos missed the playoffs the year before, coming off of back-to-back losses in the Super Bowl. With John Elway at the helm, no Broncos team could stay down for very long.
The Broncos ended up with five Pro Bowlers on the roster – Elway, LB Karl Mecklenburg, S Dennis Smith, NT Greg Kragen, and K David Treadwell – on the way to an 11-5 record. The offense finished eight in scoring, but the star was the defense, allowing the fewest points in the league.
Unfortunately, everyone will remember how the season ended. They faced the team of the 1980s – the San Francisco 49ers – in Super Bowl XXIV. Joe Montana and the 49ers won in one of the biggest routs in Super Bowl history, destroying the Broncos to the tune of 55-10.
OTD the #49ers went back-to-back!
Relive Super Bowl XXIV pic.twitter.com/SPSZYAQakq
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 28, 2018
2015 Denver Broncos (12-4, Won Super Bowl 50)
The third of three Super Bowl wins in Broncos history. It was something of a revenge tour for the Broncos and quarterback Peyton Manning, who had been very good for three years but just couldn’t finish the job. Manning was in the twilight of his career, and many knew that they were watching the end of a legendary career.
The Broncos defense, fourth in the league in points allowed, was powered by pass rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, with Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib patrolling the secondary. The offense did its job, with running backs CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman combining for more than 1,500 yards rushing, and both Demaryius Thoms and Emmanuel Sanders providing the passing game threats.
The Broncos again won the AFC West, landing the top seed in the AFC. They won a close game with Pittsburgh in the Divisional round before comfortably taking down the rival New England Patriots in the AFC title game. Facing down the 15-1 Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, the Broncos stood the test. Miller, all-time Broncos leader in sacks, was the difference, especially with a late-game strip sack of Cam Newton that wound up locking the game up for the franchise’s third Super Bowl victory.
The Denver Broncos are Super Bowl 50 champions! It's the Broncos' 3rd Super Bowl victory in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/LO9KOtmr0m
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2016
1997 Denver Broncos (12-4, Won Super Bowl XXXII)
By this time, Elway’s career was drawing to a close. The legendary quarterback was approaching 40 and the Broncos were 0-4 in Super Bowls. Even though the team won 12 games, they still finished second in the AFC West to the Chiefs.
Elway led the best offense in the NFL, throwing for 3,635 yards and 27 touchdowns. Running back Terrell Davis and receivers Shannon Sharpe and Rod Smith supplemented one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. In the wild card, the Broncos crushed the Jaguars before pulling out a tough, low-scoring win against Kansas City in the divisional round.
The AFC Title Game was a memorable clash with the Steelers, leading into one of the most memorable Super Bowls ever. Facing Brett Favre and the Packers, millions watched Elway go all out for his first championship, picking up a crucial first down before being spun in the air like a helicopter. In the end, “win one for John” became a premonition, finally breaking the chains of failure.
🎥 TOMORROW NIGHT!! 🎬
“Super Bowl XXXII: The Revenge Tour” airs at 6pm MT on @9NEWS!
And 7pm on the Broncos YouTube channel! #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/G9CtpbKDXO
— Broncos Studio (@BroncosStudio) January 28, 2023
1998 Denver Broncos (14-2, Won Super Bowl XXXIII)
As good as 1997 went, Elway decided to return for what would be his final season in the NFL. It wound up being the best season in the history of the franchise from start to finish. The 14-2 record showed that dominance, easily cruising to the AFC West championship and top seed.
Davis ran for more than 2,000 yards, winning Offensive Player of the Year and MVP honors as a whopping 9 Broncos made the Pro Bowl. They easily cruised to wins over the Dolphins and Jets en route to their second-straight Super Bowl.
The Broncos capped off the magical season by dominating the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. Despite the final being 34-19, it was never really that close. The Broncos held a 31-6 lead early in the fourth quarter and kept the Falcons at bay long enough to win the big one again. Elway, probably the best Denver Broncos player of all time, had the best finale to his career ever, riding off into the sunset as a back-to-back champion.
January 31, 1999: In his last NFL game, John Elway leads the Broncos to the championship for the second straight season, as Denver beat Atlanta 34-19 at Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami. pic.twitter.com/AXUSJzD3SO
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 31, 2023
Conclusion
There will be some debate as to who the best of the best is. Thankfully for Broncos fans, it was a privilege to get to root for these teams.
The hope is that going forward, the Broncos can find themselves again and return to glory.
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