New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees calls a play in the huddle during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field on September 21, 2008. The Saints will visit Denver again on October 28, 2012 (Mandatory Credit: Andrew Carpenean-US PRESSWIRE)

In approximately eleven weeks the 2012 NFL season will be upon us.   Considering that it has been 5-1/2 months since the 2011 season came to an end in New England, we are well over the hump and on the very edge of another Bronco season.   To help pass the time between now and the start of the regular season, I am continuing my look back at past Bronco games against teams they will face in 2012.   Next up – the New Orleans Saints.

After getting a week off with their bye in Week Seven, the Broncos will make their second appearance of the season on Sunday Night Football when Drew Brees and the Sean Payton-less New Orleans Saints make their sixth trip in franchise history to Colorado to face the Broncos.   The Broncos have won four of the five contests held in Denver.   Continue reading for a brief synopsis of the five games in Denver.

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A young John Elway recorded his first 4th quarter comeback against the Colts in 1983 (Getty Images)

On December 11, 1983, John Elway was starting to come into his own during his rookie season. He had taken over the starting duties from Steve DeBerg earlier in the year and had gone through some serious growing pains. But Elway had played well a week earlier against the Cleveland Browns and used 2 touchdown passes to lead the Denver Broncos to a big 27-6 victory. Despite the difficulties that are commonplace with a midseason quarterback switch, coach Dan Reeves and his Broncos came into this matchup against the Baltimore Colts right in the middle of the playoff race with an 8-6 record. Prior to the game, the media was talking about how Elway was starting to live up to his billing, and they were also talking about his matchup against the team he had jilted prior to the NFL draft just months ago. Little did anyone know, this game would become the very first step in the long journey that would turn Elway into a legend of the game.

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