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Super Bowl: 5 key plays that led to Broncos’ first championship

By Travis Wakeman

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (R) gives the thumbs up as his father Jack (L) congratulates him after the Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-24 to win Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego, CA 25 January. AFP PHOT/Doug COLLIER (Photo by DOUG COLLIER / AFP) (Photo by DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images)
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (R) gives the thumbs up as his father Jack (L) congratulates him after the Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-24 to win Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego, CA 25 January. AFP PHOT/Doug COLLIER (Photo by DOUG COLLIER / AFP) (Photo by DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (L) avoids the rush by Denver Broncos defender John Mobley (R) in the first half of Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA 25 January. In the background is Earl Dotson of the Green Bay Packers. AFP PHOTO/Don EMMERT (Photo by Don EMMERT / AFP) (Photo by DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images) /

All of these years later, the Denver Broncos’ first Super Bowl victory is still one of the best in the history of the big game.

It has been 24 years since the Denver Broncos upset the heavily-favored Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII, notching the first Super Bowl win in franchise history and ending the NFC’s dominance after 13 straight Super Bowl wins.

The Broncos’ win over Green Bay, which took place on January 25, 1998, had it all. The Packers were favored by nearly two touchdowns, were the defending NFL champions and they had Brett Favre at quarterback.

The Broncos had made it all the way to the big game despite being a Wild Card. They had John Elway and Terrell Davis, but few of the experts were giving them a chance to win.

The game was back and forth and to this day, ranks as one of the most exciting Super Bowls. For fans of the Broncos, it’s likely still their favorite.

There were five key moments in this game that helped the Broncos get the win and finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy after four disappointing losses in the Super Bowl prior to this.

Denver Broncos, Tyrone Braxton
3 Oct 1999: Tyrone Braxton #34 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field before the game against the New York Jets at the Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Jets defeated the Broncos 21-13. /

Tyrone Braxton’s first-quarter interception

In this game, both teams scored on their opening possession. After Green Bay went down the field and scored on a touchdown pass from Favre to Antonio Freeman, many thought that the route that had been predicted was on.

But Elway and company responded, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run by Terrell Davis. The Broncos had proven that they were not going to roll over for the defending champs, and just two plays later, Favre overshot wide receiver Robert Brooks and Denver safety Tyrone Braxton snared the ball.

The Broncos had stolen the momentum and on the first play of the second quarter, the Broncos turned the turnover into points on a 1-yard run by Elway to take a 14-7 lead.

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