Denver Broncos: 16 Memorable Season Openers

Dec 23 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws during the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

SEPTEMBER 7^th, 1986

A Super Bowl season started with one of the wildest games in the bitter rivalry with the Raiders. Denver trailed after the 1^st quarter, 16-7 and was down by as much as 19-7. A couple of Broncos’ touchdowns sandwiched a Raiders’ field goal and the deficit at halftime was 22-21. Trailing by 8 going into the 4^th quarter, Denver scored 10 unanswered points, capped off by a 7 yard TD pass from Elway to Gene Lang. The win was a springboard to a Broncos season that finished with an 11-5 mark, AFC West championship, AFC Championship (which featured one of the most memorable drives in the history of the NFL). Unfortunately, the otherwise great season was abruptly ended with a 39-19 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXI.