The Denver Broncos have a rich history in the Super Bowl, having won three championships over the course of their franchise journey. Established as an AFL team in 1960, the Broncos joined the NFL almost a decade later. Throughout their 65 years, the team has made eight Super Bowl appearances.
The Broncos” last Super Bowl victory was in 2015 when they triumphed over the Carolina Panthers in a memorable matchup. This game marked the final appearance for Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning on the field. Since that championship, the team has been on a quest to return to the Super Bowl, experiencing a lengthy playoff drought of eight years.
Super Bowl Victories
The Broncos have secured their three Super Bowl titles in 1997, 1998, and 2015. Their first championship came after a 37-year wait. During the 1997 season, the Broncos finished with a 12-4 record. They advanced to the Super Bowl by defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers. In the Super Bowl, they faced the Green Bay Packers and won 31-24. Although quarterback John Elway struggled, completing 12 of 22 passes for 123 yards, he did manage to rush for a touchdown. Running back Terrell Davis was instrumental in the win, rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns.
The following year, the Broncos quickly captured their second Lombardi Trophy. After an impressive 14-2 regular season, they defeated the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets to reach the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons. In this matchup, Elway redeemed himself, throwing for 336 yards and contributing to a 34-19 victory, while the defense intercepted Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler three times.
The Broncos” most recent Super Bowl win occurred after the 2015 season against the Panthers, where they won 24-10. The team finished with a 12-4 record that season, overcoming the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots in the playoffs. Manning”s performance included 141 yards, but no touchdowns, while running back C.J. Anderson added a touchdown to his 90 rushing yards. The defense was dominant, forcing Cam Newton into multiple turnovers, including three turnovers and a fumble from running back Mike Tolbert.
Broncos Super Bowl Appearances
In total, the Broncos have participated in eight Super Bowls, winning three of them. Here is a summary of each Super Bowl appearance:
- 1977: Lost to Cowboys, 27-10 (Regular season: 12-2, Head coach: Red Miller)
- 1986: Lost to Giants, 39-20 (Regular season: 11-5, Head coach: Dan Reeves)
- 1987: Lost to Commanders, 42-10 (Regular season: 10-4-1, Head coach: Dan Reeves)
- 1989: Lost to 49ers, 55-10 (Regular season: 11-5, Head coach: Dan Reeves)
- 1997: Won against Packers, 31-24 (Regular season: 12-4, Head coach: Mike Shanahan)
- 1998: Won against Falcons, 34-19 (Regular season: 14-2, Head coach: Mike Shanahan)
- 2013: Lost to Seahawks, 43-8 (Regular season: 13-3, Head coach: John Fox)
- 2015: Won against Panthers, 24-10 (Regular season: 12-4, Head coach: Gary Kubiak)
Currently, the Broncos are striving to add to their Super Bowl victories, as they look to make a return to the big game for the first time since their last victory in 2015. The franchise continues to build its legacy in the NFL.
