Denver Broncos Epic Moments

SI Staff | Dec 16, 2012

Denver Broncos Epic Moments

Jan. 25, 1998

John W. McDonough/SI

Playing in his fourth Super Bowl without ever having won one, John Elway faced a pivotal third-and-six in the third quarter of a 17-17 tie with the Green Bay Packers. While the audience (and apparently the Packers' defense) expected the Broncos to go to 2,000 yard rusher Terrell Davis, Elway took the ball on his own. Instead of sliding, Elway dove head first with three Packers' defenders converging on him, causing the 37-year old Elway to flip in the air for the first down. The Broncos would score a touchdown on that drive and win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.

Jan. 31, 1999

Bryan Kelsen/AP

Terrell Davis charges past several Seattle Seahawks defenders to record only the third 2,000 yard rushing season in NFL history. Davis won his third consecutive AFC rushing title, his first NFL rushing title, and was named league MVP. The Broncos won their second consecutive Super Bowl that year by beating Atlanta 33-19.

Jan. 11, 1987

John Biever/SI

Down 20-13 in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns, John Elway and the Denver offense field the ball at the two-yard line with 5:32 remaining. Fifteen plays and 98 yards later (and without ever facing a fourth down), the Broncos tied the game on a five-yard touchdown pass from Elway to Mark Jackson. Denver eventually won the game in overtime on a Rich Karlis field goal.

Jan. 17, 1988

Mark Duncan/AP

The Browns and Broncos met again, but this time in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. The Broncos led 21-3 at half, but could not stop Browns' quarterback Bernie Kosar, who threw four second-half touchdown passes to bring the Browns back. The Broncos led 38-31 with just over one minute left, but Cleveland had the ball on the eight-yard line. On second down, Earnest Byner got the carry on a draw play and appeared to have an open lane to the end zone until defensive back Jeremiah Castille miraculously knocked the ball loose and recovered on the two-yard line -- the same yard line, as noted by Dick Enberg, where Elway started "The Drive" the year before.

Jan. 1, 1977

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Broncos edge defending champion Oakland 20-17 to win the AFC title and reach their first Super Bowl. Quarterback Craig Morton, playing despite a virus and high fever, throws two TD passes to Haven Moses, and Denver's Orange Crush defense limits Oakland to fewer than 300 yards of offense.

Jan. 8, 2012

Peter Read Miller/SI

Hailed by some, reviled by others, Tim Tebow came up with his most heroic moment of an unpredictable 2011-12 season during the AFC Wild Card playoffs against Pittsburgh. After forcing overtime in a game in which Pittsburgh was heavily favored, Tebow found an open Demaryius Thomas over the middle, who shed two Steelers' defenders en route to an 80-yard, game-winning touchdown reception.