Divisional Playoff Football In Colorado
By Craig Hurst
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) entering the field before the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos are set to face the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round of the AFC Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Once the Wildcard games were complete this past weekend, the excitement and anxiousness started to increase as I thought about the upcoming playoff football game for the Denver Broncos. Rejoice Bronco fans! Playoff football is back in the Mile High City! Lifelong Bronco fans that have been fortunate enough to attend past Bronco playoff games know there is just something different in the air when it comes to playoff football; an electricity in the air that seems to be absent during the regular season. Perhaps it is due to the stakes riding on one game – win and you move one step closer to the Super Bowl; lose and the season is over, and there is no opportunity to redeem yourself until next season. To help pass the time until the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens kickoff, I dug into the Broncos’ playoff history. Continue reading for a brief overview of the Broncos’ divisional playoff history.
Since 1977, the Broncos have played in twelve divisional playoff games; nine of which were played in Denver, while three were played on the road. As expected, home field advantage proved to be a good thing for the Broncos, because the Broncos won seven out of the nine times when playing host during the divisional playoff round. Unfortunately, when the Broncos had to travel for the divisional playoffs, their record was 1-2. Based on that historical data, I am glad the Broncos are at home this weekend.
Denver Bronco Divisional Playoff Games:
Day
Date
W/L
Opponent
Denver Score
Opp Score
Sat
12/24/77
W
Pittsburgh
34
21
Sat
12/30/78
L
@ Pittsburgh
10
33
Sun
12/30/84
L
Pittsburgh
17
24
Sun
1/4/87
W
New England
22
17
Sun
1/10/88
W
Houston Oilers
34
10
Sun
1/7/90
W
Pittsburgh
24
23
Sat
1/4/92
W
Houston Oilers
26
24
Sat
1/4/97
L
Jacksonville
27
30
Sun
1/4/98
W
@ Kansas City
14
10
Sat
1/9/99
W
Miami
38
3
Sat
1/14/06
W
New England
27
13
Sat
1/14/12
L
@ New England
10
45
Sat
1/12/13
Baltimore
Hopefully, the Broncos will take care of business this weekend and advance to their ninth AFC Championship. If that happens, I will post another article about the first eight appearances in the AFC conference championship. First though, the focus needs to be on the divisional playoff!
Go Broncos – beat the Ravens!
United In Orange!
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