Denver Broncos: 16 Memorable Season Openers
By Matt Petrero
Aug 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; A detailed view of the helmet of Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Sam Acho (94) showing the heads up football logo before the start of the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Cardinals won 32-24. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
SEPTEMBER 18th, 1977
With the memorable 30-7 road thumping of the previous best in the west, Oakland Raiders still 5 weeks in the offing, the Broncos began its first Super Bowl campaign, and a coming of age (thank you, Terry Frei), with a 7-0 win over then NFC contender, St. Louis Cardinals (there are potentially generations of readers of this article who have no idea that the Cardinals played in St. Louis for years…let alone, Chicago). Under new Head Coach, Red Miller, the Denver defense, which would earn the moniker, “Orange Crush”, held the St. Louis offense scoreless. This was a Cardinals offense which boasted hall of fame offensive lineman, Dan Dierdorf and 3-time Pro-Bowler, Conrad Dobler (Dobler was known at that time to be one of the dirtiest, nastiest, but best guards in the league). The now famed Denver defense had announced it presence with authority.