With the close of the Denver Broncos’ 2019 season, we also get set to close out an entire decade.
Between 2010 and 2019, the Broncos had some very up-and-down seasons, experiencing the ultimate success and some of the worst years in franchise history across the past decade.
Over the past 10 seasons, the Broncos had an 89-71 win-loss record, which is pretty good considering they closed the decade with three straight losing seasons.
But here, we’re only going to focus on the positive and give you a chance to relive the best moments from the past 10 years. With that, we present the top 10 Broncos moments from the past decade.
Honorable mention: Von Miller becomes sack king
For nearly 25 years, Simon Fletcher sat atop the team’s record book, finishing his playing career with 97.5 career sacks. It became clear years ago that as long as he stayed in Denver, Miller would break that record.
He accomplished the feat in December 2018 with a sack of Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns, taking Fletcher out of the top spot.
This likely would have made the top 10 if it didn’t occur during one of the worst Broncos seasons in franchise history, a fact that really seemed to take from the moment.
10. Broncos steal one at the Superdome
November 13, 2016
In Week 10 of the 2016 season, the Broncos went into the Superdome against the New Orleans Saints and played them tough. The Saints had just scored a touchdown with 1:22 remaining in the game and the extra point would put them up by one.
Justin Simmons had other ideas, leaping over the line and blocking the kick of Wil Lutz. It was picked up by Will Parks who ran it back the other way to give the Broncos two points and the game-winning points.
9. Broncos sign Peyton Manning
March 20, 2012
Without this move, many of the things on this list would not have been possible.
Following the 2011 season, in which he sat out the entire year with a neck injury, Manning was shockingly released by the Indianapolis Colts. Despite injury concerns, many teams were hoping to be able to land one of the greatest players in NFL history.
Manning had reportedly cut his list down to three or four potential teams, with the Broncos among them. John Elway was able to lure him to Denver on a 5-year, $96 million contract.
The rest, as they say, is history.
8. Manning breaks career passing TD record
October 9, 2014
In his third season with the Broncos, Manning was able to break the NFL’s career passing touchdown record, which was held at that time by Brett Favre.
He broke the record in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers, in a game that was appropriately televised for a national audience on Sunday Night Football.
Late in the second quarter, Manning found Demaryius Thomas in the corner of the end zone for career touchdown pass No. 509, a new league record.
7. C.J. Anderson running through the snow
November 29, 2015
In Week 12 of the 2015 season, the Broncos faced the New England Patriots, again on Sunday Night Football.
The Broncos had Brock Osweiler playing quarterback and snowy conditions impacted the entire game, which went into overtime.
In the extra frame, facing a 3rd-and-1 from the New England 48-yard line, Anderson took a toss from Osweiler, made a few guys miss and ran toward the end zone to seal a massive victory.
This was a huge win for the Broncos and the argument can easily be made that they don’t get home-field advantage in the playoffs that year without it.
6. Tebow’s magic
2011 season
The Broncos started the 2011 season 1-4 with Kyle Orton at quarterback. Amid drowning chants of “We want Tebow” from the fans, the team finally decided to make a quarterback change.
And what followed can only be described as magical — Tebow led the team to the AFC West division title but you would never know it by looking at the box score or his statistics.
Tebow made some plays that often defied all logic but he was instrumental in dramatic wins that season over the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
Each of these could have been their own moment on this list.
5. 2013 AFC Championship Game
January 19, 2014
The Broncos set offensive records in 2013 that may never be touched, but to get to the Super Bowl, they had to get past the Patriots.
The Broncos dominated the Patriots in this game, leading by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter. The Pats tried to rally but fell short as the Broncos advanced to their first Super Bowl in 15 years with a 26-16 victory.
4. Manning breaks another record
December 22, 2013
As stated, the 2013 season was full of offensive records for the Broncos as Manning and his team attacked the record books. This one was pretty sweet.
Tom Brady’s 50 touchdown passes in 2007 stood as the most ever in one season by a quarterback. Just six years later, Manning broke it.
The record-breaking throw came in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. Manning’s fourth touchdown pass of the game landed in the arms of tight end Julius Thomas for his 51st touchdown pass of the year.
Manning finished the season with 55 touchdown passes, a record that still stands to this day.
3. 2015 AFC Championship Game
January 24, 2016
This was one of the sweetest victories in Broncos history and was completely different from the game these same two teams played for the right to go to the Super Bowl just two years prior.
The Broncos had home-field advantage, but most felt the Patriots were the better team. The Broncos had an aging Manning and many felt the Broncos were a team just lucky to be where they were, as they needed a little bit of luck to get past the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round.
The Broncos led the entire game, but it didn’t come without some tense moments. Leading 20-12 with just over one minute to play, the Broncos gave up a 40-yard reception to Rob Gronkowski on fourth down. Moments later, again on fourth down, Tom Brady hit Gronkowski on a 4-yard touchdown pass to pull New England within two points.
The Broncos had lost all the momentum and it would have been tough to slow down the Pats in overtime, but on the game-tying two-point conversion attempt, Brady’s pass was intercepted by Bradley Roby, sealing the win for Denver.
2. Tebow to Thomas
January 8, 2012
As if the 2011 season wasn’t incredible enough, this game — and more specifically, this play — will stand the test of time. I know for myself, this is the one play in team history I’ve watched more than any other — you just can’t get enough.
And even almost nine years later, it still brings out all the feels.
The Broncos were an 8-8 team and the Steelers were the defending AFC champion. The Broncos also had a quarterback who “couldn’t throw.”
Tebow proceeded to pass for 316 yards on the day including this 80-yard touchdown pass in overtime to Thomas for the game-winning score in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
What.A.Moment.
1. Broncos win Super Bowl 50
February 7, 2016
This is the obvious choice for the No. 1 spot on the list, as nothing tops winning the Super Bowl.
The Broncos were embarrassed in the Super Bowl just two years prior by the Seattle Seahawks in a game that many felt they would win. Super Bowl 50 was the game where few gave them a chance.
The Broncos were heavy underdogs against the 15-1 Carolina Panthers but a dominant defensive performance, led by eventual Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, led to the team hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the third time in team history.
