Denver Broncos: A look at the 3 most surprising seasons in team history

Broncos turn into one of league’s best in 1977

In 1977, the Broncos were entering their 18th season of existence, including their time in the AFL. To that point, they had never even made the playoffs one time.

The Broncos were coming off a solid 9-5 season in 1976 and seemed on the cusp of finally being a playoff team, but not many expected them to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl that year. But that is what happened.

Led by that season’s Comeback Player of the Year, Craig Morton, the Broncos jumped out to a 6-0 start and finished the regular season at 12-2. Back then, teams only played 14 regular-season games.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Broncos went up against the best team of the 1970s in the Pittsburgh Steelers and were able to defeat them 34-21. The Oakland Raiders, one of only two teams that had beaten the Broncos that season, awaited them in the AFC Championship Game.

To that point, it was the greatest win in team history as the Broncos outlasted their arch-rivals, winning 20-17. They had gone to the playoffs for the first time in team history and were now on their way to the Super Bowl!

Unfortunately, the unlikely run ended in Super Bowl XII as the Dallas Cowboys totally outclassed the Broncos. But this run would help get the team jumpstarted as it would make the playoffs in each of the next two seasons.

Entering a new decade (the 1980s), the Broncos were no longer looked at as a pushover.