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Denver Broncos: History favors the 2018 season

By Andrew Wade

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 09: DeMarcus Ware (C) of the Denver Broncos hoists the Lombardi Trophy along with C.J. Anderson (L) of the Denver Broncos and John Bowlen (R), son of Pat Bowlen the Owner and CEO of the Denver Broncos as the Super Bowl 50 Champion Denver Broncos are honored at a rally on steps of the Denver City and County Building on February 9, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 09: DeMarcus Ware (C) of the Denver Broncos hoists the Lombardi Trophy along with C.J. Anderson (L) of the Denver Broncos and John Bowlen (R), son of Pat Bowlen the Owner and CEO of the Denver Broncos as the Super Bowl 50 Champion Denver Broncos are honored at a rally on steps of the Denver City and County Building on February 9, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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22 Oct 2000: Brian Griese #14 of the Denver Broncos lines up a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Broncos 31-21.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport
22 Oct 2000: Brian Griese #14 of the Denver Broncos lines up a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Broncos 31-21.Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport /

1999/2000

With John Elway retiring, the expectation was that Bubby Brister would assume the starting role in Denver after doing well during the 1998 season as a backup. Brian Griese ended up winning the starting job, but couldn’t overcome the injuries that decimated Denver in 1999.

In the fourth game of the season, Hall of Famer Terrell Davis suffered what would essentially become a career-ending knee injury. He wasn’t the only Bronco starter to miss time though.

Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe only managed to play five games while Broncos linebacker John Mobley only played in two games.

After a rough 0-4 start to the season, Denver did manage to go 6-6 the final 12 games and showed a few bright spots of things to come.

In 2000, Brian Griese posted one of the best seasons ever for a Denver Bronco quarterback and sparked an offensive revival. His 2000 season quarterback rating is the third highest all-time in Denver at 102.9.

Additionally, Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith posted the seventh and ninth most catches in a single-season for Denver.

This high-powered offense led the Denver Broncos to an 11-5 record before they met a defense they couldn’t handle.

The 2000 Baltimore Ravens, widely regarded as one of the best defenses of all time, shut down Denver. The Wild Card game ended with Denver’s “elite” offense posting three points.

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