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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) /
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Denver Broncos, Super Bowl
Washington Redskins wide receiver Ricky Sanders celebrates a touchdown in a 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII on January 31, 1988, at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Rob Brown/Getty Images) /

2. Broncos vs. Washington- Super Bowl XXII, 1987

The Broncos went up against some great teams in the 1980s as in those years, the NFC was the far superior conference. But this is the Super Bowl the team should have won during that era.

Washington was a solid team but had some close games against both the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. The Broncos had a dominant playoff victory over the Houston Oiler before getting by  Cleveland thanks to “The Fumble”.

In this game, the Broncos scored on their very first offensive play, a 56-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Nattiel, before getting out to a 10-0 lead. Washington turned to quarterback Doug Williams and never looked back.

Washington scored a ridiculous 35 second-quarter points to pretty much put the game out of reach. Williams threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns on the day and running back Timmy Smith rushed for 206 yards, a Super Bowl record to this day.

Elway threw three picks in a game that became increasingly frustrating by the minute. It’s still hard to believe the Washington offensive onslaught that occurred, one that rattled off 42 straight points.

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