The Broncos have participated in a total of 60 seasons since their inception in 1960. They have managed to reach the playoffs on 22 occasions, which is a testament to the consistency of the team over the years.
The first decade of the Broncos’ history was unremarkable, to say the least. They failed to qualify for the playoffs until 1977, and their regular season records were nothing to write home about either. However, in 1977, the team had one of the most remarkable seasons in NFL history.
That year, the Broncos finished with a record of 12-2, winning the AFC West division for the first time in their history. Led by quarterback Craig Morton and a ferocious defense nicknamed the “Orange Crush,” the Broncos advanced all the way to their first Super Bowl, where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Broncos continued to be a playoff contender throughout the 1980s, qualifying for the postseason five times. However, they could never go all the way and capture a Super Bowl championship.
Enter John Elway, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Elway was drafted by the Broncos in 1983 and quickly became the face of the franchise. However, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that Elway and the Broncos managed to win their first Super Bowl.
In 1997, the Broncos finished with a record of 12-4 and advanced to the playoffs as a wild card team. They proceeded to win three straight playoff games, culminating in a victory over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. Elway was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, and the Broncos had finally captured a championship after years of frustration.
The Broncos repeated as Super Bowl champions the following year, defeating the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway once again played a starring role, throwing for 336 yards and one touchdown in the game.
After Elway retired in 1999, the Broncos went through a period of transition. They struggled to make the playoffs and went through a few coaching changes. However, they managed to bounce back in 2005, finishing with a record of 13-3 and earning a trip to the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos made the playoffs four times in the 2010s, but they could never duplicate the success they had in the late 1990s. However, they did have some notable achievements, including quarterback Peyton Manning’s record-setting 2013 season.
In 2015, the Broncos had one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory. Led by a dominant defense, they finished with a record of 12-4 and advanced to the playoffs as the top seed in the AFC. They proceeded to win three straight playoff games, including a win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
The 2015 season was the Broncos’ third Super Bowl championship, and it was a historic one. It was the last season for quarterback Peyton Manning, who retired after the game. It was also the first time in NFL history that a team had won a Super Bowl with fewer than 200 passing yards in each playoff game.
Overall, the list of Denver Broncos seasons is a rich and varied one. From their humble beginnings in the AFL to their triumphs in the NFL, the Broncos have had a long and successful history. With their current crop of talented players, the future looks bright for this storied franchise.