Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Which devastating playoff loss was the worst?

By Travis Wakeman

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 12: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with Jacoby Jones #12 against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 12, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 12: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with Jacoby Jones #12 against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 12, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 30, 2012, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 30: Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 30, 2012, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images) /

Manning era starts strong, ends in disaster

The 2012 season was a memorable one for the Broncos, as it was the first with Manning as the team’s quarterback. Just seeing him take the field in orange and blue was a sight to behold.

The season got off to a strong start as the Broncos beat up on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener. But things took a drastic turn after that as the team dropped back-to-back games to the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans.

After a 37-6 win over the Raiders, they lost to the New England Patriots and were sitting at 2-3. But then, much like the 1996 season, the Broncos went on a huge winning streak, closing the season with 11 straight victories.

The Broncos appeared to be a machine entering the playoffs. They won the AFC West by six games and entered the playoffs as the No.1 overall seed, just like in 1996.

Manning finished the season with 4,659 yards passing and 37 touchdowns, proving that the neck injury some never thought he would come back from was nothing more than an afterthought. He was possibly the league’s best player that year and the Broncos appeared to be far and away the best team.

They would have a first-round bye and would watch the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round. That result sent the Ravens to Invesco Field in Denver.

Home/Broncos News