Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Which Super Bowl loss was the worst?

By Travis Wakeman

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 1988: Quarterback Doug Williams #17 of the Washington Redskins passing against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII in Jack Murphy Satdium on January 31, l988 in San Diego, California. The redskins defeated the Broncos 42-10. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 1988: Quarterback Doug Williams #17 of the Washington Redskins passing against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII in Jack Murphy Satdium on January 31, l988 in San Diego, California. The redskins defeated the Broncos 42-10. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
Denver Broncos, Super Bowl
New York Giants defensive tackle Leonard Marshall heads in to sak Denver Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway in 39-20 win over the Denver Bronco in Super Bowl XXI on January 25, 1987 at Rose Bowl. (Photo by Rob Brown/Getty Images) /

With Super Bowl Sunday right around the corner, it always conjures up memories of your team being in the big game.

The Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50, but they have played in the Super Bowl eight times. Only the New England Patriots have made more trips to the last game of the season.

The Broncos have unfortunately lost five of those eight games. Some fans have followed the team long enough to have witnessed them all, while for others reading about the painful defeats is as close as they’ll ever get to that sinking feeling.

That sinking feeling has come not only from the fact that the team has lost but often in embarrassing fashion.

So which loss was the worst? We rank all five of those defeats here.

5. Super Bowl XII

Denver Broncos, Super Bowl
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 15: Roger Staubach #12 of the Dallas Cowboys scrambles with the ball against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XII on January 15, 1978, at the Louisiana Super Dome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl 27-10. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Broncos vs. Dallas Cowboys- Super Bowl XII, 1977

The first loss is always difficult, but the Broncos ran up against a great team in their first Super Bowl appearance. In fact, the 1977 season was the Broncos’ first playoff appearance.

The Broncos went 12-2 that season and accomplished some huge wins in the playoffs over the Pittsburgh Steelers and then over the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game. But Dallas was on another level.

The Cowboys also went 12-2 that season, but they had Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett and a great defense. They were also coached by the legendary Tom Landry. The Cowboys went to the Super Bowl five times in the 1970s.

The Broncos managed to score just 10 points in a 27-10 loss, but it was a learning experience for a growing team. Though the loss stung, there was plenty of belief for the future.

The team would go on to make the playoffs in each of the next two seasons.

Home/Broncos History