21 years ago, the Denver Broncos completed their quest of become back-to-back Super Bowl champions when they defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 33.
I know all of Broncos Country are not happy with the fact that their division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, are playing in this year’s Super Bowl and that it should be the Denver Broncos. But we all know that this team was not going to make it.
Even with all the false hope, we all knew deep down. It does feel like forever the last time the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl. But at least the team can say they won more championships in a 25 year span than any of their divisional rivals.
Which brings us to January 31st. This was a special moment in Broncos history. Because 21 years ago, in 1999, John Elway and Denver secured their second Super Bowl title. Not to mention it was their first back-to-back championship.
On this date in 1999...the Broncos beat the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 31, 2020
John Elway, in the last game of his career, passes for 336 yards and runs for a TD to earn MVP honors as Denver became the 1st AFC team to win consecutive Super Bowls since the Steelers won XIII & XIV. pic.twitter.com/okTSRXYjJN
I remember this season very well. It was the first full season that I watched. The Broncos completed their 1998 season at a franchise record 14-2. It started off with 13 straight victories. But dating back to the 1997 season and 1998 postseason, the Broncos won 18 straight games. Towards the end of the season, the games got a little bit close.
Denver would suffer their first defeat at the hands of the New York Giants on a cold December day in East Rutherford. Elway and company would later be soundly beaten by the Miami Dolphins. But they were able to salvage the final game of the year and go into the postseason with home field advantage.
The Broncos would return the favor in the divisional round, completely dismantling the Dolphins by a final score of 38-3. They would struggle in the first half of the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets. But were able to bounce back from a 10-0 deficit to get the 23-10 win and advance to Super Bowl XXXIII.
From there, the Broncos were able to handle the Atlanta Falcons 34-19, who had a huge win against the Minnesota Vikings two weeks earlier. John Elway ended his career with a 336 yard performance.
Where were you when the Denver Broncos went back to back after the 1999 postseason?