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The Denver Broncos have had outstanding talent over the years, and three Super Bowl trophies to show for it. Although the greatest Broncos teams ever have won titles, a few excellent teams have fallen short. Yes, the best Broncos teams often fell just short of their goals. While the greatest Denver teams have experienced considerable success, there is some debate about where the other teams rank. These are the best Broncos teams ever, and some of them made the NFL's top 100 teams list.
10. 2014 Broncos
Peyton Manning has established roots in Colorado, but his connection to the state dates back to when he signed a contract to play for the Broncos. Ultimately, that took place in 2012. After several failed runs, Manning helped Denver get to the promised land in his third season.
Manning threw for 4,727 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions to help Denver win the AFC West. Also, it earned them a first-round bye, and they would face the Indianapolis Colts. But the Broncos stumbled in the AFC Divisional Round, losing 24-13 to the Colts at home.
9. 2005 Broncos
This is often a forgotten season, yet it was still memorable. After signing Jake Plummer to be their new quarterback, Denver made strides and went 13-3 to win the AFC West. Things started well in the playoffs, as they defeated Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 27-13. Unfortunately, they fell 34-17 at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.
8. 2012 Broncos
Manning had signed a contract to play with the Broncos, and things looked promising for this team. After starting 2-3, fans began to worry about the chances this team had. Denver rolled off 11 straight wins to snag their second consecutive AFC West division title. Now, fans had hope that this team could make a deep run.
It did not end that way, as the Broncos lost a tough 38-35 battle with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round. While they could not beat the eventual defending champions, this team would form the building blocks for what was to come.
7. 1989 Broncos
Fans often forget just how much John Elway suffered before he finally won a Super Bowl. Somehow, he lost three Super Bowl games before finally claiming his first in the late 90s. The Broncos went 11-5 to win the AFC West. Then, they edged out the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-23 in the AFC Divisional Round before defeating the Cleveland Browns 37-21 in the AFC Title Game.
Denver ran into a juggernaut in the Super Bowl, losing 55-10 to one of the greatest San Francisco 49ers teams of all time. While the ending was not ideal, it was a testament to how good this team was, but it just could not beat a Hall of Fame quarterback and wide receiver.
6. 1987 Broncos
This was another Denver team that lost in the Super Bowl. Initially, there seemed to be hope, as Denver went 10-4-1 to win the AFC West. Elway led the Broncos to a 34-10 thrashing of the Houston Oilers in the AFC Divisional Round. Then, they beat the Browns 38-33 in the AFC Championship Game.
Denver struck first in Super Bowl XXII, scoring 10 points. Unfortunately, everything fell apart in the second quarter, as they allowed the Washington Redskins to score 35 points. The 35 points still stand as a record for the most points scored in a quarter during the Super Bowl.
5. 1986 Broncos
This would be the first of back-to-back Super Bowl losses for Elway and the Broncos. However, things started strongly for Denver, as they went 11-5 to win the AFC West. Denver would topple the Patriots 22-17 in the AFC Divisional Round, before beating the Browns 23-20 in overtime. Therefore, this would set them up for a showdown with the New York Giants.
The game looked to be going Denver's way, as they led 10-9 at halftime. Sadly, everything fell apart in the third quarter, as the Giants scored 17 straight points to build a large lead. While Denver attempted a comeback, the lead was too great to overcome. This was one of the best Broncos teams not to win a Super Bowl, and it would mark the beginning of a decade of heartbreak before they finally secured their title.
4. 2013 Broncos
This was a historic year in the Mile High City. After losing to the Ravens in the previous season, Manning was a man on a mission. Manning had a record-breaking season, accumulating 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns, which still stand today. Significantly, he led the Broncos to a 13-3 record and the top seed in the AFC.
Denver started the playoffs with a 24-17 win over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round. Then, they defeated the Patriots 26-16 in the AFC Championship Game to earn a showdown with the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl started off as badly as it could, with the Broncos fumbling on the kickoff and resulting in a safety. Later, the Seahawks tacked on two field goals before exploding for two touchdowns in the second quarter to build a large lead. Although this was one of the greatest Broncos teams to play, they completely floundered in the Big Game.
3. 2015 Broncos
By this point, fans were not entirely convinced the Broncos could win a Super Bowl with Manning at the helm. Yet, this was the season it finally happened. The Broncos went 12-4 to win the AFC West.
The Broncos started the playoffs with a gritty 23-16 win over the Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round. It set them up for a major showdown with the Patriots. Manning would get a win over his old rival, toppling Brady and the Pats. Thus, the stage was set for a Super Bowl showdown with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.
Unlike the Super Bowl from two seasons ago, the Broncos did not fumble the ball on the kickoff. Instead, they started off strongly, and Manning would help them get a 10-0 lead. The Broncos never relented, adding 14 more points while the defense took care of the rest in a 24-10 win.
2. 1997 Broncos
When the Broncos entered this season, there had been modest expectations. Yes, Elway was still the quarterback, but the Broncos had not accomplished anything under his leadership. Significantly, Denver did not even win the AFC West, finishing second.
The Broncos started the playoffs with a 42-17 demolition of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then, they stunned the Kansas City Chiefs 14-10 at Arrowhead Stadium. Denver then pulled off another shocker, stunning the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21 at Three Rivers Stadium. Now, it set them up for a showdown with the defending champion Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.
The Packers were favored by 11 points, and many believed they would win again. Instead, the Broncos changed the narrative and made history. After going back and forth with the Packers, the Broncos finally took the lead for good when Terrell Davis scored a touchdown with 1:45 left in the game. This would give Elway his first title and end a decade of misery for Broncos fans.
1. 1998 Broncos
This team earns the nod as the best Broncos team of all time because it was substantially better than the squad that won the title the previous season. After winning the AFC West, this set Denver up for another opportunity to make a big run. The Broncos destroyed the Miami Dolphins 38-3 in the AFC Divisional Round. Next, they defeated the New York Jets 23-10 in the AFC Championship Game.
The Super Bowl was next, and the Broncos were facing the Atlanta Falcons. This time, the Broncos were the favorites. Unlike the Packers, the Broncos actually covered the spread. Denver would strike fast and often, building a 17-6 lead at halftime. Eventually, the Broncos would add more to the score to finish off a 34-19 win.
Many remember this game for Elway's 80-yard touchdown pass to Rod Smith. Furthermore, it would be the last game of his storied career, as Elway retired after. Elway capped off a Hall-of-Fame career by winning two Super Bowl titles and playing on one of the greatest Broncos teams of all time and — in our list — the best.
