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

2011 was a magical ride

The 2011 season was the most surprising in Broncos history and it’s not even close. That was due in large part to the quarterback who came off the bench that year.

If you like rollercoasters, then the 2011 season is for you.

The Broncos were dreadful at 4-12 in 2010 and the following year, had a new head coach in John Fox. Things did not get off to a great start as the team lost four of its first five games with Kyle Orton at quarterback.

Seemingly with hesitation, the coaching staff finally turned to Tim Tebow to play quarterback. The win he helped pull off against the Miami Dolphins is still incredibly improbable, but it happened.

After getting blasted the following week against the Detroit Lions, the Broncos managed to win six games in a row, nearly all of which came in incredible, almost indescribable fashion.

The Broncos lost each of their final three games but still backed into the playoffs as the AFC West champions.

In came the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs, the team that had been to the Super Bowl the year prior. The Broncos had to go to overtime, but that is when Tebow and company pulled off another miraculous win (video).

You simply can’t say this wasn’t a fun ride, even if the team got beaten badly in the next round by the New England Patriots.

The 2011 Broncos are among the biggest surprise teams in the history of the NFL.