AFC Championship History in Denver, Colorado
By Craig Hurst
The New England Patriots visit to Denver, Colorado today to face the Denver Broncos for the American Football Conference Championship, which is the seventh time the Broncos have hosted the AFC Championship. For a review or my brief thoughts on the previous six championships that have taken place in Denver, please continue reading.
Oakland Raiders – January 1, 1978 (Denver won 20-17)
What better way to start off a new year but with a win against your arch-rival, the Oakland Raiders! I love watching footage of this game and what sticks out the most are the fans taking down the goalposts (could never happen today) and Tom Jackson in the locker room after the game almost shouting “do they believe now?”. Still gives me chills to this day!
Cleveland Browns – January 17, 1988 (Denver won 38-33)
One year removed from “The Drive”, the Broncos face the Cleveland Browns again to determine who would represent the AFC in Super Bowl XXII. While John Elway would not need another “drive”, the defense did come up with a play that secured the victory that today is known as “The Fumble”. With just over one minute remaining in the game and inside the Broncos ten-yard line, Cleveland running back Earnest Byner took a handoff at the Broncos and was running left when he was hit by Jeremiah Castille, fumbling the ball. Castille also recovered the fumble, securing the Bronco victory and a trip to the team’s third Super Bowl appearance.
Cleveland Browns – January 14, 1990 (Denver won 37-21)
For the third time in four years, the Broncos beat the Cleveland Browns to become the AFC Champions. While the first two games gave birth to “The Drive” and “The Fumble”, this game could simply be known as “The Blowout” in a sense; Elway had a spectacular day, completing 20 of his 36 pass attempts for 385 yards and three touchdowns.
New York Jets – January 17, 1999 (Denver won 23-10)
My very first AFC Championship as a Denver Bronco season ticket holder! For majority of the day it seemed like I was back in my home state of Kansas considering how windy it was – not just a slight wind but a wind that made it difficult to tailgate and somewhat uncomfortable. At the end of the day none of that mattered because the Broncos won and were going back to the Super Bowl! After the Broncos received the AFC trophy I remember John Elway taking the trophy and doing a victory lap around the stadium; following Super Bowl XXXIII John Elway retired so this game was Elway’s last game in Denver, Colorado!
Pittsburgh Steelers – January 22, 2006 (Denver lost 34-17)
It always hurts to end the season with a loss… especially when a trip to the Super Bowl is on the line. Thinking back on this game, the Broncos really never seemed like they were in this game and the Steelers pretty much were in control throughout. I look back on this game, and unfortunately, it is somewhat of a payback for the Broncos victory in the AFC Championship when the Broncos beat the Steelers 24-21 in Pittsburgh. The loss to the Steelers may have been the beginning of the end for MIke Shanahan in Denver, as he was fired three seasons later after failing to guide the Broncos to post-season play.
New England Patriots – January 19, 2014 (Denver won 26-16)
This was THE reason that Elway paid Peyton Manning all that money for – get the Broncos back to the Super Bowl. I don’t know what was sweeter – the fact that the Broncos were finally going back to the Super Bowl, or the fact that they beat the New England Patriots to get there?! Unfortunately, the success and jubilation experienced on this day didn’t carry over to the Super Bowl two weeks later when the Broncos were absolutely thrashed 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks!
New England Patriots – January 24 ,2016 (Results TBD)
GO BRONCOS – BEAT THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS!