The Denver Broncos have not fared well in games played on Halloween.
Halloween is here and though the Broncos won’t take the field on Saturday, it’s always interesting to revisit the team’s history. In this case, revisiting history could jog some bad memories.
Playing games on Halloween is not like having a game on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day or New Year’s, mainly because Halloween is not a recognized holiday. It’s just another day on the calendar, but just as some of the costumes that are worn and horror movies that are on television this time of year, some of these results are downright scary.
In their history, the Broncos are 1-7 in games played on October 31. They have definitely been tricked much more than treated. Here’s a look back at the results:
October 31, 1965: The team’s only Halloween game during their time in the AFL, the Broncos were blown out by the New York Jets to the tune of 45-10. Joe Namath was the winning quarterback despite throwing for just 49 yards in the game.
October 31, 1971: The Broncos turned the ball over five times in a 17-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
October 31, 1976: The Oakland Raiders racked up 10 sacks in a 19-6 win over their bitter division rival.
October 31, 1988: Easily the most memorable Halloween game the Broncos have been a part of, and not for a good reason. Eric Dickerson ran for 159 yards and four touchdowns, including three touchdown runs in the first quarter alone as the Indianapolis Colts pasted the Broncos 55-23.
October 31, 1999: Cris Carter catches eight passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns to help the Minnesota Vikings to a 23-20 win over the Broncos.
October 31, 2004: This was a shootout in there ever was one between the Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, and the Falcons had a bit more firepower. Michael Vick had 115 yards rushing and 367 total yards of offense in the game as the Falcons won 41-28. Despite the loss, the Broncos had some players with amazing statlines. Jake Plummer threw for 499 yards and four touchdowns and Rod Smith caught nine passes for 208 yards.
The 499 passing yards by Plummer is still a team record for a single game.
October 31, 2010: The Broncos went all the way to Wembley Stadium in London just to lose the San Francisco 49ers, 24-16. This game is best remembered for the fact that the Broncos were caught illegally videotaping a 49ers walkthrough during the trip overseasons, an incident that eventually led to Josh McDaniels’ firing.
What about the team’s only Halloween win?
The only time the Broncos have ever won a game on Halloween came all the way back in 1993 against the Seattle Seahawks, a team that played in the AFC West at the time.
John Elway threw for 255 yards in the game and Robert Delpino had two touchdown runs as the Broncos were able to defeat the Seahawks 28-17.
History is history and for whatever reason, Halloween has not been a good day to be a Broncos fan.