List of Denver Broncos seasons

Last updated

Empower Field at Mile High, where the Broncos have played their home games since 2001. Invesco Field at Mile High satellite 2004.jpg
Empower Field at Mile High, where the Broncos have played their home games since 2001.

The Denver Broncos are an American football franchise based in Denver, Colorado. Founded by Bob Howsam on August 14, 1959, the team was one of the founder members of the American Football League (AFL), which began in 1960, before merging with the National Football League (NFL) ahead of the 1970 season, [1] when the Broncos became part of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division; they have been in the same division ever since. As of the end of the 2020 season, Denver has completed 61 seasons (playing in over 970 combined regular season and playoff games), and has appeared in eight Super Bowls; although they lost in each of their first four Super Bowl appearances, they have since won three of them, most recently Super Bowl 50.

Contents

The franchise has experienced three major periods of success. The first was from 1976 to 1981, when the Broncos did not have a losing season (a season when the team has more losses than wins), and won two AFC West division titles, and one AFC championship. The second began in 1983 and ended in 1998. During this period, the Broncos had just two losing seasons, were AFC champions five times and were Super Bowl champions for two consecutive years. This second period of success is best remembered for John Elway being the team's quarterback. [2] The most recent run of success began in 2011, lasting until their victory in Super Bowl 50 at the end of the 2015 season. The five-year stretch was primarily spearheaded by the 2012 free agent acquisition of the then four-time League MVP former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, and included five AFC West titles, two AFC championships, as well as the Super Bowl. From their inaugural season in 1960 until 1975, they did not make either the AFL playoffs or NFL playoffs and had just two winning seasons. The Broncos were the only charter AFL franchise to never have a winning season during the AFL's 10 years of existence (although the team finished at 7–7 in 1962), with their first winning season not occurring until 1973, their fourth year as a member of the NFL's AFC. They also experienced their two seasons with the fewest wins ever, winning just two of 14 games in both 1963 and 1964. [3]

The Broncos have been AFC West champions 15 times, winning the division for five consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2015, and have also earned wild card berths into the playoffs seven times, for a total of 22 playoff appearances. They have been conference champions eight times (tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and two behind the New England Patriots who have the most AFC championships) and Super Bowl champions thrice. [3]

Seasons

Legend
(#)The order of league championship won by the franchise
FinishFinal position in league, division, or conference
PctThe team's winning percentage for the season
‡ Super Bowl champions (1970–present)
*Conference champions
^Division champions
§Wild Card berth
Denver Broncos record by season
Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason resultsAwards Head coach Refs
FinishWLT
1960 1960 AFL West4th491 Frank Filchock [4]
1961 1961 AFLWest3rd3110 [5]
1962 1962 AFLWest2nd770 Jack Faulkner (COY Tooltip AP AFL Coach of the Year) Jack Faulkner [6]
1963 1963 AFLWest4th2111 [7]
1964 1964 AFLWest4th2111 Jack Faulkner (0–4)
Mac Speedie (2–7–1)		 [8]
1965 1965 AFLWest4th4100 Mac Speedie [9]
1966 1966 AFLWest4th4100 Mac Speedie (0–2)
Ray Malavasi (4–8)		 [10]
1967 1967 AFLWest4th3110 Lou Saban [11]
1968 1968 AFLWest4th590 [12]
1969 1969 AFLWest4th581 [13]
1970 1970 NFL [A] AFC [A] West [A] 4th581 [16]
1971 1971 NFLAFCWest4th491 Lou Saban (2–6–1)
Jerry Smith (2–3)		 [17]
1972 1972 NFLAFCWest3rd590 John Ralston [18]
1973 1973 NFLAFCWest3rd752 [19]
1974 1974 NFLAFCWest2nd761 [20]
1975 1975 NFLAFCWest2nd680 [21]
1976 1976 NFLAFCWest2nd950 [22]
1977 1977 NFLAFC*West^1st^1220Won Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 34–21
Won AFC Championship (Raiders) 20–17
Lost Super Bowl XII (vs. Cowboys) 10–27		 Red Miller (COY Tooltip AP NFL Coach of the Year) Red Miller [23]
1978 1978 NFLAFCWest^1st^1060Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Steelers) 10–33 Randy Gradishar (DPOY Tooltip AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year) [24] [B]
1979 1979 NFLAFCWest2nd§1060Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Oilers) 7–13 [27]
1980 1980 NFLAFCWest4th880 [28]
1981 1981 NFLAFCWest2nd1060 Dan Reeves [29]
1982 1982 NFLAFCNone [C] 12th [C] 270 [31]
1983 1983 NFLAFCWest3rd§970Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Seahawks) 7–31 [32]
1984 1984 NFLAFCWest^1st^1330Lost Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 17–24 [33]
1985 1985 NFLAFCWest2nd1150 [34]
1986 1986 NFLAFC*West^1st^1150Won Divisional Playoffs (Patriots) 22–17
Won AFC Championship (at Browns) 23–20 (OT)
Lost Super Bowl XXI (vs. Giants) 20–39		 [35]
1987 1987 NFLAFC*West^1st^1041Won Divisional Playoffs (Oilers) 34–10
Won AFC Championship (Browns) 38–33
Lost Super Bowl XXII (vs. Redskins) 10–42		 John Elway (MVP Tooltip AP NFL Most Valuable Player) [36] [D]
1988 1988 NFLAFCWest2nd880 [38]
1989 1989 NFLAFC*West^1st^1150Won Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 24–23
Won AFC Championship (Browns) 37–21
Lost Super Bowl XXIV (vs. 49ers) 10–55		 [39]
1990 1990 NFLAFCWest5th5110 [40]
1991 1991 NFLAFCWest^1st^1240Won Divisional Playoffs (Oilers) 26–24
Lost AFC Championship (at Bills) 7–10		 Mike Croel (DROY Tooltip AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year) [41]
1992 1992 NFLAFCWest3rd880 [42]
1993 1993 NFLAFCWest3rd§970Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Raiders) 24–42 Wade Phillips [43]
1994 1994 NFLAFCWest4th790 [44]
1995 1995 NFLAFCWest3rd880 Mike Shanahan [45]
1996 1996 NFLAFCWest^1st^1330Lost Divisional Playoffs (Jaguars) 27–30 Terrell Davis (OPOY Tooltip AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year) [46]
1997 1997 NFL†AFC*West2nd§1240Won Wild Card Playoffs (Jaguars) 42–17
Won Divisional Playoffs (at Chiefs) 14–10
Won AFC Championship (at Steelers) 24–21
Won Super Bowl XXXII (1) (vs. Packers) 31–24		 Terrell Davis (SB MVP Tooltip Super Bowl Most Valuable Player) [47]
1998 1998 NFL†AFC*West^1st^1420Won Divisional Playoffs (Dolphins) 38–3
Won AFC Championship (Jets) 23–10
Won Super Bowl XXXIII (2) (vs. Falcons) 34–19		 Terrell Davis (MVP Tooltip AP NFL Most Valuable Player, OPOY Tooltip AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year)
John Elway (SB MVP Tooltip Super Bowl Most Valuable Player)		 [48]
1999 1999 NFLAFCWest5th6100 [49]
2000 2000 NFLAFCWest2nd§1150Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Ravens) 3–21 Mike Anderson (OROY Tooltip AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) [50]
2001 2001 NFLAFCWest3rd880 [51]
2002 2002 NFLAFCWest [E] 2nd970 Clinton Portis (OROY Tooltip AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) [54]
2003 2003 NFLAFCWest2nd§1060Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Colts) 10–41 [55]
2004 2004 NFLAFCWest2nd§1060Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Colts) 24–49 [56]
2005 2005 NFLAFCWest^1st^1330Won Divisional Playoffs (Patriots) 27–13
Lost AFC Championship (Steelers) 17–34		 [57]
2006 2006 NFLAFCWest3rd970 [58]
2007 2007 NFLAFCWest2nd790 [59]
2008 2008 NFLAFCWest2nd880 [60]
2009 2009 NFLAFCWest2nd880 Josh McDaniels [61]
2010 2010 NFLAFCWest4th4120 Josh McDaniels (3–9)
Eric Studesville (1–3)		 [62]
2011 2011 NFLAFCWest^1st^880Won Wild Card Playoffs (Steelers) 29–23 (OT)
Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Patriots) 10–45		 Von Miller (DROY Tooltip AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year) John Fox [63]
2012 2012 NFLAFCWest^1st^1330Lost Divisional Playoffs (Ravens) 35–38 (2OT) Peyton Manning (CBPOY Tooltip AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year) [64]
2013 2013 NFLAFC*West^1st^1330Won Divisional Playoffs (Chargers) 24–17
Won AFC Championship (Patriots) 26–16
Lost Super Bowl XLVIII (vs. Seahawks) 8–43		 Peyton Manning (MVP Tooltip AP NFL Most Valuable Player, OPOY Tooltip AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year) [65]
2014 2014 NFLAFCWest^1st^1240Lost Divisional Playoffs (Colts) 13–24 [66]
2015 2015 NFL†AFC*West^1st^1240Won Divisional Playoffs (Steelers) 23–16
Won AFC Championship (Patriots) 20–18
Won Super Bowl 50 (3) (vs. Panthers) 24–10		 Von Miller (SB MVP Tooltip Super Bowl Most Valuable Player)
Wade Phillips (ACOY Tooltip AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year)		 Gary Kubiak [67]
2016 2016 NFLAFCWest3rd970 [68]
2017 2017 NFLAFCWest4th5110 Vance Joseph [69]
2018 2018 NFLAFCWest3rd6100 [70]
2019 2019 NFLAFCWest2nd790 Vic Fangio [71]
2020 2020 NFLAFCWest4th5110 [72]
2021 2021 NFLAFCWest4th7100 [73] [F]
2022 2022 NFLAFCWest4th5120 Nathaniel Hackett (4–11)
Jerry Rosburg (1–1)		 [75]
2023 2023 NFLAFCWest3rd890 Sean Payton [76]
2024 2024 NFLAFCWest3rd§1070Lost Wild Card Playoffs (at Bills) 7–31 Patrick Surtain II (DPOY Tooltip AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year) [77]
Totals51847210All-time regular season record (1960–2024)
2320—All-time postseason record (1960–2024)
54149210All-time regular season & postseason record (1960–2024)

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 In 1970, the NFL and American Football League (AFL) officially merged in the AFL–NFL merger to form one league with two conferences. All ten former AFL teams as well as Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Baltimore from the pre-merger NFL joined the AFC; the other thirteen remaining NFL teams joined the NFC. Each of those two were divided into three divisions: East, Central, and West. [14] [15]
  2. ↑ In 1978, the NFL expanded its regular season schedule, which had been 14 games since 1961, to 16 games. [25] [26]
  3. 1 2 The 1982 season was shortened to nine games after a players' strike. The top eight teams in each conference advanced to the playoffs. [30]
  4. ↑ The 1987 NFL strike caused the schedule to be reduced to 15 games. [37]
  5. ↑ In 2002, the NFL realigned to create four divisions in both conferences with four teams in each division. The Broncos did not change divisions, but their division did change from five teams to four. [52] [53]
  6. ↑ In 2021, the NFL expanded its regular season schedule, which had been 16 games since 1978, to 17 games. [25] [74]

References

  1. ↑ "Denver Broncos". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
  2. ↑ "John Elway". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
  3. 1 2 "Denver Broncos Franchise Encyclopedia". Sports Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2008.
  4. ↑ "1960 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  5. ↑ "1961 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  6. ↑ "1962 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  7. ↑ "1963 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  8. ↑ "1964 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  9. ↑ "1965 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  10. ↑ "1966 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  11. ↑ "1967 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  12. ↑ "1968 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  13. ↑ "1969 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  14. ↑ "On this day in 1969, a brand-new NFL took shape". National Football League . May 10, 2020. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ Anderson, Dave (December 23, 1979). "Solving a Problem in the N.F.L. With Realignment" . The New York Times . sec. S, p. 5. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  16. ↑ "1970 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  17. ↑ "1971 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  18. ↑ "1972 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  19. ↑ "1973 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  20. ↑ "1974 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  21. ↑ "1975 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  22. ↑ "1976 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  23. ↑ "1977 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  24. ↑ "1978 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  25. 1 2 "NFL Regular Season Games Played per Season". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  26. ↑ "1978 – A Seventh Official is Added to the Officiating Crew". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  27. ↑ "1979 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  28. ↑ "1980 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  29. ↑ "1981 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  30. ↑ Lowitt, Bruce (November 21, 1982). "Here it is mid-November already, and everyone's still in the race!". The News Tribune . p. B2. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ "1982 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  32. ↑ "1983 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  33. ↑ "1984 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  34. ↑ "1985 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  35. ↑ "1986 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  36. ↑ "1987 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  37. ↑ "1987 – The First Contract With a Cable Network". Pro Football Hall of Fame . Archived from the original on February 8, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  38. ↑ "1988 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  39. ↑ "1989 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  40. ↑ "1990 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  41. ↑ "1991 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  42. ↑ "1992 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  43. ↑ "1993 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  44. ↑ "1994 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  45. ↑ "1995 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  46. ↑ "1996 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  47. ↑ "1997 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  48. ↑ "1998 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  49. ↑ "1999 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  50. ↑ "2000 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  51. ↑ "2001 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  52. ↑ "When the NFL added two divisions – and weakened the AFC West". NBC Sports . May 22, 2014. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  53. ↑ "New alignment takes effect in 2002". ESPN . Associated Press. May 22, 2001. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  54. ↑ "2002 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  55. ↑ "2003 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  56. ↑ "2004 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  57. ↑ "2005 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  58. ↑ "2006 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  59. ↑ "2007 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  60. ↑ "2008 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  61. ↑ "2009 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  62. ↑ "2010 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  63. ↑ "2011 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  64. ↑ "2012 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  65. ↑ "2013 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  66. ↑ "2014 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  67. ↑ "2015 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  68. ↑ "2016 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  69. ↑ "2017 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  70. ↑ "2018 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  71. ↑ "2019 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  72. ↑ "2020 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  73. ↑ "2021 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  74. ↑ Belson, Ken (March 30, 2021). "N.F.L. Officially Adds 17th Regular Season Game" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  75. ↑ "2022 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  76. ↑ "2023 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  77. ↑ "2024 Denver Broncos Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
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