Denver Broncos: The answers to 7 great trivia questions

When did the Broncos get their first playoff win?

From 1960-1976, not only did the Broncos not win a playoff game, they never even qualified for the postseason. That changed in 1977.

The Broncos were one of the best teams in the league that season, finishing at 12-2 before heading to the playoffs for the first time in team history. They didn’t draw a cupcake in the divisional round, going up against the experienced Pittsburgh Steelers.

From 1974-79, the Steelers won the Super Bowl four times and they were easily the best team of the 1970s. The Broncos did get them at Mile High Stadium on December 24, 1977, and though it was a hard-fought battle, the Broncos came out victorious.

Denver never trailed that day, kicking off the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown run by Rob Lytle. Led by Hall-of-Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, the Steelers were ready for a heavyweight fight, answering each Denver score with one of their own.

The score was tied 21-21 in the fourth quarter but the Broncos were able to pull away for a 34-21 win. They capped the scoring with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Craig Morton to Jack Dolbin late in the game.

The Steelers turned the ball over four times, three of those coming on interceptions thrown by Bradshaw. That was a big part of the reason Denver prevailed.

This will be forever known as the Broncos’ first-ever playoff victory.