Denver Broncos - wikipedia Denver Broncos Denver Broncos Current season Established August 14, 1959 ; 58 years ago ( August 14, 1959 ) First season : 1960 Play in Sports Authority Field at Mile High Denver, Colorado Headquartered at UCHealth Training Center in Dove Valley, Colorado Logo Wordmark League / conference affiliations American Football League ( 1960 -- 1969 ) Western Division ( 1960 -- 1969 ) National Football League ( 1970 -- present ) American Football Conference ( 1970 -- present ) AFC West ( 1970 -- present ) Current uniform Team colors Orange, Navy Blue, White Mascot Thunder II ( live horse ) Miles ( costume suit ) Personnel Owner ( s ) Pat Bowlen President Joe Ellis General manager John Elway Head coach Vance Joseph Team history Denver Broncos ( 1960 -- present ) Team nicknames Orange Crush ( 1977 -- 1979 ; 2015 -- 2016 ) No Fly Zone ( 2015 -- 2017 ) Championships League championships ( 3 ) Super Bowl championships ( 3 ) 1997 ( XXXII ), 1998 ( XXXIII ), 2015 ( 50 ) Conference championships ( 8 ) AFC : 1977, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2013, 2015 Division championships ( 15 ) AFC West : 1977, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Playoff appearances ( 22 ) NFL : 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Home fields DU Stadium ( 1960 ) Mile High Stadium ( 1960 -- 2000 ) Sports Authority Field at Mile High ( 2001 -- present ) The Denver Broncos are a professional American football club based in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos compete as a member club of the National Football League ( NFL ) 's American Football Conference ( AFC ) West division. They began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League ( AFL ) and joined the NFL as part of the merger in 1970. The Broncos are owned by the Pat Bowlen trust and have played home games at Sports Authority Field at Mile High since 2001, after previously playing home games at Mile High Stadium from 1960 to 2000. The Broncos were barely competitive during their 10 - year run in the AFL and their first seven years in the NFL. They did not complete a winning season until 1973. In 1977, four years later, they qualified for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and advanced to Super Bowl XII. Since 1975, the Broncos have become one of the NFL 's more successful teams, having suffered only seven losing seasons. They have won eight AFC Championships ( 1977, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2013, 2015, and three Super Bowl championships ( 1997 ( XXXII ), 1998 ( XXXIII ), 2015 ( 50 ). However, the Broncos share the NFL record for most Super Bowl losses ( 5 ) with the New England Patriots. They have five players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame : John Elway, Floyd Little, Gary Zimmerman, Shannon Sharpe and Terrell Davis. Contents 1 Franchise history 1.1 1960 -- 1969 : AFL era 1.2 1970 -- 1982 1.3 1983 -- 1998 : John Elway era 1.3. 1 1997 -- 1998 : Back - to - Back Super Bowl Champions 1.4 1999 -- 2011 : Post-Elway era 1.5 2012 -- 2015 : Peyton Manning era 1.5. 1 2015 : Super Bowl 50 Champions and Manning 's Final Season 1.6 2016 -- present : Defensive era 2 Championships 2.1 Super Bowls 2.2 AFC Championships 3 Rivalries 3.1 Divisional 3.1. 1 Kansas City Chiefs 3.1. 2 Oakland Raiders 3.1. 3 San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers 3.1. 4 Seattle Seahawks 3.2 Historical 3.2. 1 Cleveland Browns 3.2. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers 3.2. 3 New England Patriots 4 Logos and uniforms 4.1 1960 -- 1996 4.2 1997 -- 2011 4.3 2012 -- present 4.4 Super Bowl uniform colors 5 Home field 6 Statistics 6.1 Season - by - season records 7 Players of note 7.1 Current roster 7.2 Retired numbers 7.3 Pro Football Hall of Famers 7.4 Ring of Fame 7.5 Super Bowl MVPs 7.6 Colorado Sports Hall of Fame 8 Staff 8.1 Head coaches 8.2 Current staff 9 Radio and television 10 Notable fans and in the media 11 Notes and references 12 Further reading 13 External links Franchise history Further information : History of the Denver Broncos Further information : List of Denver Broncos seasons 1960 -- 1969 : AFL era The Denver Broncos were founded on August 14, 1959, when Minor League Baseball owner Bob Howsam was awarded an American Football League ( AFL ) charter franchise. The Broncos won the first - ever AFL game over the Boston Patriots 13 -- 10, on September 9, 1960. On August 5, 1967, they became the first - ever AFL team to defeat an NFL team, with a 13 -- 7 win over the Detroit Lions in a preseason game. However, the Broncos were not successful in the 1960s, compiling a record of 39 -- 97 -- 4 in the league. Denver came close to losing its franchise in 1965, until a local ownership group took control and rebuilt the team. The team 's first superstar, `` Franchise '' Floyd Little, was instrumental in keeping the team in Denver, due to his signing in 1967 as well as his Pro Bowl efforts on and off the field. The Broncos were the only original AFL team that never played in the title game, as well as the only original AFL team never to have a winning season while a member of the AFL during the upstart league 's 10 - year history. 1970 -- 1982 In 1972, the Broncos hired former Stanford University coach John Ralston as their head coach. In 1973, he was the UPI 's AFC Coach of the Year, after Denver achieved its first winning season at 7 -- 5 -- 2. In five seasons with the Broncos, Ralston guided the team to winning seasons three times. Though Ralston finished the 1976 season with a 9 -- 5 record, the team, as was the case in Ralston 's previous winning seasons, still missed the playoffs. Following the season, several prominent players publicly voiced their discontent with Ralston, which soon led to his resignation. The Broncos defeated the Raiders in the 1977 -- 78 AFC Championship Game to earn their first trip to the Super Bowl. Red Miller, a long - time assistant coach was hired and along with the Orange Crush Defense ( a nickname originating in the early 1970s, also the brand of the popular orange - flavored soft drink ) and aging quarterback Craig Morton, took the Broncos to what was then a record - setting 12 -- 2 regular season record and their first playoff appearance in 1977, and ultimately first Super Bowl, in which they were defeated by the Dallas Cowboys ( Morton 's former team ), 27 -- 10. In 1981, Broncos ' owner Gerald Phipps, who had purchased the team in May 1961 from the original owner Bob Howsam, sold the team to Canadian financier Edgar Kaiser Jr., grandson of shipbuilding industrialist Henry J. Kaiser. In 1984, the team was purchased by Pat Bowlen, who placed team ownership into a family trust sometime before 2004 and remained in day - to - day control until his battle with Alzheimer 's disease forced him to cede the team to Joe Ellis in 2014. 1983 -- 1998 : John Elway era Dan Reeves became the youngest head coach in the NFL when he joined the Broncos in 1981 as vice president and head coach. Quarterback John Elway, who played college football at Stanford, arrived in 1983 via a trade. Originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts as the first pick of the draft, Elway proclaimed that he would shun football in favor of baseball ( he was drafted by the New York Yankees to play center field and was also a pitching prospect ), unless he was traded to a selected list of other teams, which included the Broncos. Prior to Elway, the Broncos had over 24 different starting quarterbacks in its 23 seasons to that point. A ticket for the 1987 - 88 AFC Championship Game between the Browns and the Broncos. Elway ( center ) getting tackled by the Atlanta Falcons in 1985. Reeves and Elway guided the Broncos to six post-season appearances, five AFC West divisional titles, three AFC championships and three Super Bowl appearances ( Super Bowl XXI, XXII and XXIV ) during their 12 - year span together. The Broncos lost Super Bowl XXI to the New York Giants, 39 -- 20 ; Super Bowl XXII to the Washington Redskins, 42 -- 10 ; and Super Bowl XXIV to the San Francisco 49ers, 55 -- 10 ; the latter score remains the most lopsided scoring differential in Super Bowl history. The last year of the Reeves - Elway era were marked by feuding, due to Reeves taking on play - calling duties after ousting Elway 's favorite offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan after the 1991 season, as well as Reeves drafting quarterback Tommy Maddox out of UCLA instead of going with a wide receiver to help Elway. Reeves was fired after the 1992 season and replaced by his protégé and friend Wade Phillips, who had been serving as the Broncos ' defensive coordinator. Phillips was fired after a mediocre 1994 season, in which management felt he lost control of the team. In 1995, Mike Shanahan, who had formerly served under Reeves as the Broncos ' offensive coordinator, returned as head coach. Shanahan drafted rookie running back Terrell Davis. In 1996, the Broncos were the top seed in the AFC with a 13 -- 3 record, dominating most of the teams that year. The fifth - seeded Jacksonville Jaguars, however, upset the Broncos 30 -- 27 in the divisional round of the playoffs, ending the Broncos ' 1996 run. 1997 -- 1998 : back - to - back Super Bowl champions During the 1997 season, Elway and Davis helped guide the Broncos to their first Super Bowl victory, a 31 -- 24 win over the defending champion Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. Though Elway completed only 13 of 22 passes, throwing one interception and no touchdowns ( he did, however, have a rushing touchdown ), Davis rushed for 157 yards and a Super Bowl -- record three touchdowns to earn the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award -- this while overcoming a severe migraine headache that caused him blurred vision. The Broncos repeated as Super Bowl champions the following season, defeating the Atlanta Falcons ( led by Elway 's longtime head coach Dan Reeves ) in Super Bowl XXXIII, 34 -- 19. Elway was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 18 of 29 passes for 336 yards, with an 80 - yard touchdown to wide receiver Rod Smith and one interception. 1999 -- 2011 : post-elway era Broncos ' quarterback Jay Cutler in 2007. John Elway retired following the 1998 season, and Brian Griese started at quarterback for the next four seasons. After a 6 -- 10 record in 1999, the Broncos recovered in 2000, earning a Wild Card playoff berth, but losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. After missing the playoffs the following two seasons, former Arizona Cardinals ' quarterback Jake Plummer replaced Griese in 2003, and led the Broncos to two straight 10 -- 6 seasons, earning Wild Card playoff berths both years. However, the Broncos went on the road to face the Indianapolis Colts in back - to - back seasons and were blown out by more than 20 points in each game, allowing a combined 90 points. Plummer led the Broncos to a 13 -- 3 record in 2005 and their first AFC West division title since 1998. After a first - round bye, the Broncos defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, 27 -- 13, denying New England from becoming the first NFL team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowl championships. The Broncos ' playoff run came to an end next week, after losing at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game, 34 -- 17. The Steelers went on to win Super Bowl XL. The Broncos ' defense began the first five games of the 2006 season allowing only one touchdown -- an NFL record, but struggled down the season stretch. Plummer led the team to a 7 -- 2 record, only to struggle and be replaced by rookie quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler went 2 -- 3 as a starter, and the Broncos finished with a 9 -- 7 record, losing the tiebreaker to the Kansas City Chiefs for the final playoff spot. Cutler 's first full season as a starter in 2007 became the Broncos ' first losing season since 1999, with a 7 -- 9 record. The 2008 season ended in a 52 -- 21 loss at the San Diego Chargers, giving the Broncos an 8 -- 8 record and their third straight season out of the playoffs. Mike Shanahan, the longest - tenured and most successful head coach in Broncos ' franchise history, was fired after 14 seasons. On January 11, 2009, two weeks after Shanahan was fired, the Broncos hired former New England Patriots ' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as the team 's new head coach. Three months later, the team acquired quarterback Kyle Orton as part of a trade that sent Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears. Tim Tebow playing against the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2012. Under McDaniels and Orton, the Broncos jumped out to a surprising 6 -- 0 start in 2009. However, the team lost eight of their next ten games, finishing 8 -- 8 for a second consecutive season and missing the playoffs. The next season ( 2010 ), the Broncos set a new franchise record for losses in a single season, with a 4 -- 12 record. McDaniels was fired before the end of the 2010 season following a combination of the team 's poor record and the fallout from a highly publicized videotaping scandal. Running backs coach Eric Studesville was named interim coach for the final four games of the 2010 season. He chose to start rookie first - round draft choice Tim Tebow at quarterback for the final three games. Following the 2010 season, Joe Ellis was promoted from Chief Operating Officer to team president, while John Elway returned to the organization as the team 's Executive Vice President of Football Operations. In addition, the Broncos hired John Fox as the team 's 14th head coach. Fox previously served as the Carolina Panthers ' head coach from 2002 to 2010. Following a 1 -- 4 start to the 2011 season, Tim Tebow replaced Kyle Orton as the Broncos ' starting quarterback, and led the Broncos to an 8 -- 8 record and the team 's first playoff berth and division title since 2005. The Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round on a memorable 80 - yard touchdown pass from Tebow to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime, setting a record for the fastest overtime in NFL history. However, the Broncos were blown out by the New England Patriots in the Divisional round. 2012 -- 2015 : Peyton Manning era In March 2012, the Broncos reached an agreement on a five - year, $ 96 million contract with former longtime Indianapolis Colts ' quarterback Peyton Manning, who had recently missed the entire 2011 season following multiple neck surgeries. This resulted in the Broncos subsequently trading incumbent quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets. The Broncos finished with a 13 -- 3 record and the AFC 's No. 1 seed in the 2012 playoffs, but were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round. Like 2012, the Broncos finished with a 13 -- 3 record and the AFC 's No. 1 seed in 2013. In the 2013 playoffs, the Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers in the Divisional round and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. However, the Broncos were soundly defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII by a score of 43 -- 8, the Broncos ' first Super Bowl berth since winning back - to - back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998. Prior to the start of the 2014 season, the Broncos announced that Pat Bowlen, the team 's owner since 1984, relinquished control of the team due to his battle with Alzheimer 's disease, resulting in team president Joe Ellis and general manager John Elway assuming control of the team. The Broncos finished the 2014 season with a 12 -- 4 record and the AFC 's No. 2 seed. However, the Broncos were defeated by the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional round of the 2014 playoffs, marking the third time in four seasons that the Broncos lost in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Quarterback Peyton Manning had been playing with strained quadriceps for the final month of the 2014 season. 2015 : Super Bowl 50 champions and Manning 's final season On January 12, 2015, one day after the aforementioned Divisional playoff loss to the Colts, the Broncos and head coach John Fox mutually agreed to part ways. Fox left the Broncos with a. 719 winning percentage in his four seasons as the Broncos ' head coach -- the highest in franchise history. One week later, the Broncos hired Gary Kubiak as the team 's 15th head coach. Kubiak served as a backup quarterback to executive vice president / general manager John Elway from 1983 to 1991, as well as the Broncos ' offensive coordinator from 1995 to 2005. Shortly after Kubiak became head coach, the Broncos underwent numerous changes to their coaching staff, including the hiring of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, under whom the Broncos ' defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL during the 2015 season. The Broncos finished with a 12 -- 4 record and the AFC 's No. 1 seed, despite Peyton Manning having his worst statistical season since his rookie year with the Indianapolis Colts in 1998 and backup quarterback Brock Osweiler filling in for Manning during the second half of the regular season due to Manning suffering from a foot injury. In the playoffs, the Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 23 -- 16 in the Divisional Round, the New England Patriots 20 -- 18 in the AFC Championship, and defeated the Carolina Panthers 24 -- 10 in Super Bowl 50 -- the Broncos ' third Super Bowl title. 2016 -- present : defensive era Further information : 2016 Denver Broncos season On March 7, 2016, quarterback Peyton Manning retired after 18 NFL seasons during a press conference at the team 's Dove Valley headquarters. Following Manning 's retirement, the Broncos have undergone changes at the quarterback position, including the free agent departure of backup quarterback Brock Osweiler to the Houston Texans, the trade acquisition of Mark Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles and the selection of Paxton Lynch during the 2016 draft. Sanchez, Lynch and second - year quarterback Trevor Siemian competed for the starting quarterback spot during the off - season and preseason ; however, Sanchez was released and Siemian was named the starter prior to the start of the season. The Broncos finished the season 9 -- 7 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010. On January 2, 2017, coach Gary Kubiak announced his retirement, citing health as the main reason for retiring. The Broncos would later hire Vance Joseph to be their new head coach on January 11, 2017. The Broncos have since entered the era of their dominant defense consisting of the Ground Control, and the No Fly Zone. Championships Super Bowls Year Coach Super Bowl Location Opponent Score Record 1997 Mike Shanahan XXXII San Diego, CA Green Bay Packers 31 -- 24 12 -- 4 1998 Mike Shanahan XXXIII Miami, FL Atlanta Falcons 34 -- 19 14 -- 2 2015 Gary Kubiak 50 Santa Clara, CA Carolina Panthers 24 -- 10 12 -- 4 Total Super Bowl championships won : 3 AFC Championships Year Coach Location Opponent Score Record 1977 Red Miller Denver, CO Oakland Raiders 20 -- 17 12 -- 2 1986 Dan Reeves Cleveland, OH Cleveland Browns 23 -- 20 ( OT ) 11 -- 5 Dan Reeves Denver, CO Cleveland Browns 38 -- 33 10 -- 4 -- 1 1989 Dan Reeves Denver, CO Cleveland Browns 37 -- 21 11 -- 5 1997 Mike Shanahan Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Steelers 24 -- 21 12 -- 4 1998 Mike Shanahan Denver, CO New York Jets 23 -- 10 14 -- 2 2013 John Fox Denver, CO New England Patriots 26 -- 16 13 -- 3 2015 Gary Kubiak Denver, CO New England Patriots 20 -- 18 12 -- 4 Total AFC Championships won : 8 Rivalries Divisional See also : American Football League The Denver Broncos have three AFC West rivals -- the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders. All teams, along with the Broncos, were charter members of the American Football League ( AFL ), with each team placed in the AFL Western Division. The Broncos were barely competitive during the AFL years ( 1960 -- 69 ), going a combined 10 -- 49 -- 1 against the Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders. Kansas City Chiefs Further information : Broncos -- Chiefs rivalry The Broncos have had several memorable matchups with the Chiefs, particularly during the years in which John Elway was the Broncos ' starting quarterback ( 1983 -- 98 ). The Broncos defeated the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in the divisional round of the 1997 NFL playoffs, en route to their first Super Bowl victory. The Chiefs currently hold a 61 -- 55 series lead over the Broncos, including the aforementioned 1997 divisional playoff game. Oakland Raiders Further information : Broncos -- Raiders rivalry The rivalry with the Raiders was ignited in 1977, when the Broncos advanced to their first Super Bowl by defeating the defending champion Raiders in the 1977 AFC Championship. The rivalry intensified in the mid-1990s, when Mike Shanahan was hired as the Broncos ' head coach in 1995. Shanahan coached the Raiders in 1988 before being fired four games into the 1989 season. The Raiders currently hold a 63 -- 52 -- 2 series lead over the Broncos, including 1 -- 1 in the playoffs. San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers Further information : Broncos -- Chargers rivalry Unlike their records against the Chiefs and Raiders, the Broncos currently have a winning record against the Chargers, with a 65 -- 51 -- 1 series lead, including 1 -- 0 in the playoffs. The Broncos pulled off one of the largest comebacks in Monday Night Football history, when Peyton Manning led the Broncos from a 24 -- 0 halftime deficit to a 35 -- 24 win at San Diego 's Qualcomm Stadium during the 2012 season. The two teams met in the playoffs for the first time on January 12, 2014, at Denver 's Sports Authority Field at Mile High, with the Broncos winning 24 -- 17. Seattle Seahawks The Broncos had an old rivalry with the Seattle Seahawks, who were members of the AFC West from 1977 to 2001, prior to the Seahawks ' move to the NFC West as part of the NFL 's 2002 re-alignment. During the 25 years in which the Seahawks resided in the AFC West, the Broncos went 32 -- 18 against the Seahawks, including a loss at Seattle in the 1983 NFL playoffs. Since 2002, the two teams have split four interconference meetings, and the two teams met in Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014, with the Seahawks winning by a score of 43 -- 8. Historical Aside from the aforementioned AFC West teams, the Broncos have had intra-conference rivalries over the years with the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. Cleveland Browns See also : The Drive and The Fumble The Broncos had a brief rivalry with the Browns that arose from three AFC championship matches from 1986 to 1989. In the 1986 AFC Championship, quarterback John Elway led The Drive to secure a tie in the waning moments at Cleveland Municipal Stadium ; the Broncos went on to win in 23 -- 20 in overtime. One year later, the two teams met again in the 1987 AFC Championship at Mile High Stadium. Denver took a 21 -- 3 lead, but Browns ' quarterback Bernie Kosar threw four touchdown passes to tie the game at 31 -- 31 halfway through the 4th quarter. After a long drive, John Elway threw a 20 - yard touchdown pass to running back Sammy Winder to give Denver a 38 -- 31 lead. Cleveland advanced to Denver 's 8 - yard line with 1 : 12 left, but Broncos ' safety Jeremiah Castille stripped Browns ' running back Earnest Byner of the football at the 2 - yard line -- a play that has been called The Fumble by Browns ' fans. The Broncos recovered it, gave Cleveland an intentional safety, and went on to win 38 -- 33. The two teams met yet again in the 1989 AFC Championship at Mile High Stadium, which the Broncos easily won by a score of 37 -- 21. Interestingly, the Broncos would not win the Super Bowl after any of the championship games where they beat the Browns. Pittsburgh Steelers See also : The 3 : 16 game As of the end of the 2015 season, the Broncos and Steelers have met in postseason play eight times, tied with five other pairings for the most frequent playoff matchups in NFL playoff history. The Broncos currently own a 5 -- 3 playoff record vs. the Steelers. Perhaps the most memorable postseason matchup occurred in the 1997 AFC Championship, in which the Broncos defeated the Steelers 24 -- 21 at Three Rivers Stadium, en route to their first Super Bowl victory. Eight years later, the Steelers returned the favor at INVESCO Field at Mile High, defeating the Broncos 34 -- 17 in the 2005 AFC Championship, and subsequently won Super Bowl XL. In the Wild Card round of the 2011 playoffs, in a game dubbed The 3 : 16 game, the Broncos stunned the Steelers 29 -- 23 on the first play of overtime, when quarterback Tim Tebow connected with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on an 80 - yard game - winning touchdown pass. The teams met again in the Divisional round of the 2015 playoffs at Denver, where the Broncos defeated the Steelers 23 -- 16 on their way to a victory in Super Bowl 50. New England Patriots See also : Broncos -- Patriots rivalry and Tom Brady -- Peyton Manning rivalry The Broncos and Patriots met twice annually during the American Football League ( AFL ) years from 1960 to 1969, and played in the first - ever AFL game on September 9, 1960. Since 1995, the two teams have met frequently during the regular season, including nine consecutive seasons from 1995 to 2003. As of the end of the 2015 season, the two teams have met in the playoffs five times, with the Broncos owning a 4 -- 1 record. The teams ' first playoff match on January 4, 1987 was John Elway 's first career playoff win, while the teams ' second playoff match on January 14, 2006 game was the Broncos ' first playoff win since Elway 's retirement after the 1998 season. The game was also notable for Champ Bailey 's 100 - yard interception that resulted in a touchdown - saving tackle by Benjamin Watson at the 1 - yard line. On October 11, 2009, the two teams met with former Patriots ' offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels as the Broncos ' head coach. Both teams wore their AFL 50th anniversary jerseys. The game featured a 98 - yard drive in the fourth quarter, with a game - tying touchdown pass from Kyle Orton to Brandon Marshall, followed by an overtime drive led by Orton that resulted in a 41 - yard game - winning field goal by Matt Prater. The two teams met in the Divisional round of the 2011 playoffs, with the Patriots blowing out Tim Tebow and the Broncos by a score of 45 -- 10. The Broncos ' rivalry with the Patriots later intensified when longtime Indianapolis Colts ' quarterback Peyton Manning became the Broncos ' starting quarterback from 2012 to 2015. Manning and Patriots ' quarterback Tom Brady maintained a legendary rivalry from 2001 until Manning 's retirement after the 2015 season. Though Brady dominated Manning in regular season play, winning nine of twelve meetings, Manning won three of five playoff meetings, the last of which was a Broncos ' 20 -- 18 win in the 2015 AFC Championship. Logos and uniforms 1960 -- 1996 Denver Broncos uniform set from 1968 to 1996. The logo was designed by Edwin Guy Taylor of Denver. A contest was held through Public Service of Denver to come up with a new logo for the team. Mr. Taylor 's submission was selected late in 1967 and adopted soon after. The team briefly wore orange pants with the away jerseys between 1969 -- 1971 and 1978 -- 1979. When the Broncos debuted in 1960, their original uniforms drew as much attention as their play on the field. They featured white and mustard yellow jerseys, with contrasting brown helmets, brown pants and vertically striped socks. Two years later, the team unveiled a new logo featuring a bucking horse, and changed their team colors to orange, royal blue and white. The 1962 uniform consisted of white pants, orange helmets, and either orange or white jerseys. In 1968, the Broncos debuted a design that became known as the `` Orange Crush. '' Their logo was redesigned so that the horse was coming out of a `` D. '' Additionally, the helmets were changed to royal blue, with thin stripes placed onto the sleeves, and other minor modifications were added. From 1969 to 1971, and again from 1978 to 1979, the team wore orange pants with their white jerseys. The Broncos wore their white jerseys at home throughout the 1971 season, as well as for 1980 home games vs. the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys, the latter in hopes to bring out the `` blue jersey jinx '' which has followed the Cowboys for decades ( it worked, the Broncos won 41 -- 20 ). The Broncos wore their white jerseys for 1983 home games vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, but would not wear white at home again for two decades -- see next section. In 1994, in honor of the 75th anniversary season of the NFL, the Broncos wore their 1965 throwback uniforms for two games -- a Week 3 home game against the Raiders, as well a road game at the Buffalo Bills the following week. 1997 -- 2011 The Broncos radically changed their logo and uniforms in 1997, a design that the team continues to use to this day. The new logos and uniforms were unveiled on February 4, 1997. Navy blue replaced royal blue on the team 's color scheme. The current logo is a profile of a horse 's head, with an orange mane and navy blue outlines. The Broncos ' popular live animal mascot Thunder was the inspiration to incorporate a horse - head profile as part of the logo on the team 's helmets. During a February 4, 1997 press conference introducing the new logo, the team president and the art director for Nike, who were the creators of the new design, described it as `` a powerful horse with a fiery eye and mane. '' The Broncos began wearing navy blue jerseys, replacing their longtime orange jerseys that had been the team 's predominant home jersey color since 1962. This new uniform design features a new word mark, numbering font and a streak that runs up and down the sides of both the jerseys and the pants. On the navy blue jerseys, the streak is orange, with an orange collar and white numerals trimmed in orange, while on the road white jerseys, the streak is navy blue, with a thin orange accent strip on both sides, a navy collar and navy numerals trimmed in orange. When they debuted, these uniforms were vilified by the press and fans, until the Broncos won their first ever Super Bowl in the new design that same season. The navy blue jerseys served as the team 's primary home jersey until the end of the 2011 season -- see next section. In 2002, the Broncos introduced an alternate orange jersey that is a mirror image of the aforementioned navy blue jerseys, but with orange and navy trading places. Like the road white jerseys, the white pants with the navy blue streaks running down the sides are worn with this uniform. This jersey was used only once in the 2002 and 2004 seasons, and were used twice per season from 2008 to 2011. Mike Shanahan, the team 's head coach from 1995 to 2008, was not a big fan of the alternate orange jerseys. The Broncos previously wore orange jerseys as a throwback uniform in a Thanksgiving Day game at the Dallas Cowboys in 2001. The team also introduced navy blue pants in 2003, with orange side streaks to match with the navy blue jerseys. Though they were part of the uniform change in 1997 ( in fact, they were worn for a couple of 1997 preseason games ) and most players wanted to wear them, the only player who vetoed wearing them was John Elway, thereby delaying their eventual introduction. From 2003 to 2011, these pants were primarily used for select prime - time and late - season home games ( excluding the 2008 season ), and since 2012, are used exclusively with the now - alternate navy blue jerseys -- see next section. On November 16, 2003, the Broncos wore their white jerseys at home for the first time since 1983, in a game vs. the San Diego Chargers. This was compensation for a uniform mix - up, after the teams ' first meeting at San Diego 's Qualcomm Stadium in Week 2 earlier that season, when the Chargers were the team that was supposed to declare their uniform color. The Chargers were planning to wear their white jerseys, but the visiting Broncos came to the stadium in white, and were fined $ 25,000 by the NFL as a result. When the two teams met at INVESCO Field at Mile High later that season ( Week 11 ), the NFL allowed the visiting Chargers to choose their uniform color in advance, and they chose navy blue, forcing the Broncos to wear their white jerseys at home. In 2009, in honor of their 50th anniversary season as one of the eight original American Football League teams, the Broncos wore their 1960 throwback uniforms ( brown helmets, mustard yellow and brown jerseys ) for games against two fellow AFL rivals -- a Week 5 home game vs. the New England Patriots, as well as the following week at the San Diego Chargers. 2012 -- present Beginning in 2012, the orange jerseys that served as the alternate colored jerseys from 2002 to 2011 became the primary home jersey, while the navy blue jerseys that served as the primary home jersey from 1997 to 2011 switched to alternate designation. The change was made due to overwhelming popularity with the fans, who pressured the Broncos to return to orange as the team 's primary home jersey color. Since the 2012 uniform change, the team has worn the alternate navy blue jerseys for at least one home game per season, with the exception of 2013, in which the Broncos wore their alternate navy blue uniforms for an October 6, 2013 road game at the Dallas Cowboys. The team will either wear the navy blue or the white pants -- with the orange side stripes -- to match with the alternate navy blue jerseys. The team initially did not wear the white pants with the orange side stripes, until a November 1, 2015 game vs. the Green Bay Packers, in which the Broncos wore said design in order to match the uniform ensemble that was used during the team 's Super Bowl XXXII win over the Packers. As the designated home team in Super Bowl 50, the Broncos -- who have an 0 -- 4 Super Bowl record when using their standard orange jerseys -- chose to wear their white jerseys as the designated `` home '' team. In 2016, the Broncos ' unveiled a new Color Rush uniform, which the team wore for a Thursday Night game at the San Diego Chargers on October 13, 2016. The uniform kit contained the following features : orange pants, which the team wore for the first time since 1979, orange socks and shoes, along with block - style numerals trimmed in navy blue that mirrored the team 's 1968 -- 1996 uniform style. Due to the NFL 's one - helmet rule implemented in 2013, the helmets remained the same, with the team temporarily replacing the modern primary logo with the throwback `` D - horse '' logo. The same uniform was used for a Thursday Night game against the Indianapolis Colts during the 2017 season. Super Bowl uniform colors Super Bowl Date Opponent Favorite Jersey Color Result XII ( 12 ) January 15, 1978 Dallas Cowboys Cowboys by 6 L 10 -- 27 XXI ( 21 ) January 25, 1987 New York Giants Giants by 9.5 L 20 -- 39 XXII ( 22 ) January 31, 1988 Washington Redskins Broncos by 3 L 10 -- 42 XXIV ( 24 ) January 28, 1990 San Francisco 49ers 49ers by 12 L 10 -- 55 XXXII ( 32 ) January 25, 1998 Green Bay Packers Packers by 11 W 31 -- 24 XXXIII ( 33 ) January 31, 1999 Atlanta Falcons Broncos by 7.5 W 34 -- 19 XLVIII ( 48 ) February 2, 2014 Seattle Seahawks Broncos by 2 L 8 -- 43 50 February 7, 2016 Carolina Panthers Panthers by 5.5 W 24 -- 10 Home Field Denver Mile High Stadium was the home of the Broncos from 1960 to 2000 For most of their history, the Denver Broncos played in Mile High Stadium. The AFL Broncos played at the University of Denver 's Hilltop Stadium from time to time, including the first - ever victory of an AFL team over an NFL team : The Broncos beat the Detroit Lions on August 5, 1967, in a preseason game. The team has sold out every home game ( including post-season games ) since the AFL -- NFL merger in 1970, with the exception of two replacement games during the 1987 strike ( but both were sold out before the strike ). During home games, the attendance is announced to the crowd, along with the number of no - shows ( the fans subsequently boo the no - shows ). The fans are also known to chant `` IN - COM - PLETE ! '' every time the visiting team throws an incomplete pass. The stadium 's legendary home - field advantage is regarded as one of the best in the NFL, especially during the playoffs. The Broncos had the best home record in pro football over a 32 - year span from 1974 to 2006 ( 191 -- 65 -- 1 ). Mile High Stadium was one of the NFL 's loudest stadiums, with steel flooring instead of concrete, which may have given the Broncos an advantage over opponents, plus the advantage of altitude conditioning for the Broncos. In 2001, the team moved into Invesco Field at Mile High, built next to the former site of the since - demolished Mile High Stadium. Sportswriter Woody Paige, along with many of Denver 's fans, however, often refuse to call the new stadium by its full name, preferring to use `` Mile High Stadium '' because of its storied history and sentimental import. Additionally, The Denver Post had an official policy of referring to the stadium as simply `` Mile High Stadium '' in protest, but dropped this policy in 2004. Sports Authority Field has been the Bronco 's home since 2001 Prior to the 2011 season, Englewood, Colorado - based sporting goods retailer Sports Authority claimed the naming rights of Invesco Field, which became known as Sports Authority Field at Mile High. However, in the summer of 2016, Sports Authority went bankrupt, and the Broncos have been seeking a new corporate sponsor for their stadium ever since. The altitude has also been attributed as part of the team 's home success. The stadium displays multiple references to the stadium 's location of 5,280 feet ( 1.000 mi ) above sea level, including a prominent mural just outside the visiting team 's locker room. The team training facility, the UCHealth Training Center ( formerly known as the Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre ), is a state - of - the - art facility located in Dove Valley, Colorado. With 13.5 acres of property, the facility hosts three full - size fields, a complete weight and training facility, and a cafeteria. In their more than half - century of existence, the Broncos have never been shut out at home, a streak of over 400 games as of the 2016 season. In late 2012, the Broncos announced that the stadium will receive $30 million upgrades including a new video board in the south end zone that is planned to be three times larger than the previous display. The renovations were finished before kickoff of the 2013 season. Statistics Season - by - season records Main article : List of Denver Broncos seasons Players of note Current roster Denver Broncos roster view talk Quarterbacks 4 Case Keenum 6 Chad Kelly 12 Paxton Lynch Running backs 22 C.J. Anderson 23 Devontae Booker 33 De'Angelo Henderson 32 Andy Janovich FB Wide receivers -- Kenny Bell 15 River Cracraft 11 Carlos Henderson 19 Jordan Leslie 84 Isaiah McKenzie 81 Tim Patrick 10 Emmanuel Sanders 87 Jordan Taylor 88 Demaryius Thomas Tight ends 80 Jake Butt 82 Jeff Heuerman 83 Matt LaCosse 89 Brian Parker 86 Austin Traylor Offensive linemen 72 Garett Bolles T 64 J.J. Dielman C 76 Max Garcia G -- Andreas Knappe T 79 Cyrus Kouandjio T 65 Ronald Leary G 60 Connor McGovern G 61 Matt Paradis C 74 Jeremiah Poutasi G 77 Billy Turner G -- Jared Veldheer T 75 Menelik Watson T 68 Elijah Wilkinson T Defensive linemen 91 Paul Boyette NT 99 Adam Gotsis DE 96 Shelby Harris DE 92 Zach Kerr DE -- Clinton McDonald DE 94 Domata Peko NT 90 Kyle Peko NT 69 Jhaustin Thomas DE 57 DeMarcus Walker DE -- DeShawn Williams DE 95 Derek Wolfe DE Linebackers 50 Zaire Anderson ILB 48 Shaquil Barrett OLB 51 Todd Davis ILB 41 Jerrol Garcia - Williams ILB 43 Joseph Jones ILB 59 Stansly Maponga OLB 54 Brandon Marshall ILB 58 Von Miller OLB 53 Deiontrez Mount OLB 56 Shane Ray OLB 49 Marcus Rush OLB Defensive backs 21 Tramaine Brock CB 20 Jamal Carter SS -- Su'a Cravens SS 25 Chris Harris Jr. CB 39 Michael Hunter CB 27 Brendan Langley CB 30 Jordan Moore SS 34 Will Parks FS 38 Marcus Rios CB 29 Bradley Roby CB 31 Justin Simmons SS 26 Darian Stewart FS 35 Dymonte Thomas FS Special teams -- Taylor Bertolet K 9 Riley Dixon P 1 Marquette King P 42 Casey Kreiter LS -- Christian Kuntz LS 8 Brandon McManus K Reserve lists Currently empty Rookies in italics Roster updated April 5, 2018 Depth chart Transactions 75 Active, 0 Inactive → AFC rosters → NFC rosters AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC LAC OAK NFC East DAL NYG PHI WAS North CHI DET GB MIN South ATL CAR NO TB West ARI LAR SF SEA Retired numbers Denver Broncos retired numbers No. Player Position Career 7 John Elway QB 1983 -- 98 18 Frank Tripucka Peyton Manning QB 1960 -- 63 2012 -- 15 † 44 Floyd Little RB 1967 -- 75 † Note : No. 18 was re-issued for Peyton Manning after Tripucka gave his approval ; it was used by Manning from the 2012 season until his retirement after the 2015 season. Manning 's name was added to the retired number 's banner as an honorable mention. Pro Football Hall of Famers Denver Broncos Hall of Famers No. Name Position ( s ) Season ( s ) Inducted 24 Brown, Willie Willie Brown CB 1963 -- 66 1984 30 Davis, Terrell Terrell Davis RB 1995 -- 2001 2017 33 Dorsett, Tony Tony Dorsett RB 1988 1994 7 Elway, John John Elway QB General Manager 1983 -- 98 2011 -- present 65 Zimmerman, Gary Gary Zimmerman OT 1993 -- 97 2008 44 Little, Floyd Floyd Little RB 1967 -- 75 84 Sharpe, Shannon Shannon Sharpe TE 1990 -- 99, 2002 -- 03 2011 Ring of Fame The Broncos have a Ring of Fame on the Level 5 façade of Sports Authority Field at Mile High, which honors the following : Denver Broncos Ring of Fame No. Name Position ( s ) Seasons Inducted 23 Goose Gonsoulin 1960 -- 66 1984 87 Rich Jackson DE 1967 -- 72 1984 44 Floyd Little RB 1967 -- 75 1984 87 Lionel Taylor WR 1960 -- 66 1984 -- Gerald Phipps Owner 1961 -- 81 1985 12 Charley Johnson QB 1972 -- 75 1986 70 Paul Smith DE 1968 -- 78 1986 18 Frank Tripucka QB 1960 -- 63 1986 36 Billy Thompson 1969 -- 81 7 Craig Morton QB 1977 -- 82 1988 25 Haven Moses WR 1972 -- 81 1988 15 Jim Turner PK 1971 -- 79 1988 53 Randy Gradishar LB 1974 -- 83 1989 57 Tom Jackson LB 1973 -- 86 1992 20 Louis Wright CB 1975 -- 86 1993 7 John Elway QB General manager 1983 -- 98 2011 -- present 1999 77 Karl Mecklenburg LB 1983 -- 95 2001 49 Dennis Smith 1981 -- 94 2001 65 Gary Zimmerman OT 1993 -- 97 2003 27 Steve Atwater 1989 -- 98 2005 30 Terrell Davis RB 1995 -- 2001 2007 84 Shannon Sharpe TE 1990 -- 99, 2002 -- 03 2009 80 Rod Smith WR 1994 -- 2006 2012 66 Tom Nalen 1994 -- 2007 2013 21 Gene Mingo RB, K, RS 1960 -- 64 2014 -- Dan Reeves Head coach 1981 -- 92 2014 80 Rick Upchurch WR, RS 1975 -- 83 2014 -- Pat Bowlen Owner 1984 -- present 2015 Jason Elam PK 1993 -- 2007 2016 73 Simon Fletcher LB / DE 1985 -- 95 2016 47 John Lynch 2004 -- 07 2016 -- Red Miller Head coach 1977 -- 80 2017 Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl MVP Winners SB Player Position XXXII Terrell Davis RB XXXIII John Elway QB 50 Von Miller LB Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Main article : Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Staff Head coaches Main article : List of Denver Broncos head coaches Current staff Denver Broncos staff Front Office Owner -- Pat Bowlen President / CEO -- Joe Ellis President of Football Operations / General Manager -- John Elway Director of Player Personnel -- Matt Russell Senior Personnel Advisor -- Tom Heckert Jr. Senior Personnel Advisor -- Gary Kubiak Director of Pro Personnel -- A.J. Durso Director of Football Administration -- Mike Sullivan Director of Team Administration -- Mark Thewes Director of Player Development -- Ray Jackson Director of Football Analytics -- Mitch Tanney Director of College Scouting -- Brian Stark Head Coaches Head Coach -- Vance Joseph Assistant to Head Coach -- Rob Grosso Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator -- Bill Musgrave Quarterbacks -- Mike Sullivan Running Backs -- Curtis Modkins Wide Receivers -- Zach Azzanni Tight Ends -- Geep Chryst Offensive Line ( Guards / Centers ) -- Sean Kugler Offensive Line ( Tackles ) -- Chris Strausser Offensive Assistant / Quarterbacks -- Klint Kubiak Offensive Quality Control -- Christopher Kragthorpe Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator -- Joe Woods Defensive Line -- Bill Kollar Linebackers -- Reggie Herring Defensive Backs ( Safeties ) -- Marcus Robertson Defensive Backs ( Cornerbacks ) -- Greg Williams Assistant Defensive Line -- Chris Beake Defensive Quality Control -- Charles Gordon Special Teams Coaches Special Teams Coordinator -- Tom McMahon Assistant Special Teams -- Chris Gould Strength and Conditioning Strength and Conditioning -- Loren Landow Assistant Strength and Conditioning -- Anthony Lomando Assistant Strength and Conditioning -- Cedric Smith → Coaching Staff → Management → More NFL staffs AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC LAC OAK NFC East DAL NYG PHI WAS North CHI DET GB MIN South ATL CAR NO TB West ARI LAR SF SEA Radio and television Main article : List of Denver Broncos broadcasters The Broncos ' flagship radio station is currently KOA, 850AM, a 50,000 - watt station owned by Clear Channel Communications. Dave Logan is the play - by - play announcer, with former Broncos ' wide receiver Ed McCaffrey serving as the color commentator beginning in 2012, replacing Brian Griese. Until 2010, preseason games not selected for airing on national television were shown on KCNC, channel 4, which is a CBS owned - and - operated station, as well as other CBS affiliates around the Rocky Mountain region. On May 26, 2011, the Broncos announced that KUSA channel 9, an NBC affiliate also known as 9NEWS in the Rocky Mountain region, will be the team 's new television partner for preseason games. In 2011, the Broncos began a partnership with KJMN, 92.1 FM, a leading Spanish language radio station owned by Entravision Communications ( EVC ). The partnership also includes broadcasting rights for a half - hour weekly TV show on KCEC, the local Univision affiliate operated by Entravision Communications. Notable fans and in the media Tim McKernan, a.k.a. Barrel Man, began wearing a barrel in 1977 after making a $10 bet with his brother, Scott, that by wearing one he could get on television. McKernan won the bet, and the barrel he had painted to look like an Orange Crush soda can became his signature costume, and resulted in him becoming one of the Broncos ' most recognized fans and a popular mascot. McKernan died on December 5, 2009. The animated television show South Park, set in Park County, Colorado, often mentions the Denver Broncos ; show creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone both grew up in Colorado as devout Broncos fans. In The Simpsons episode `` You Only Move Twice '', Hank Scorpio gives Homer Simpson the Denver Broncos as a thank - you gift for helping him. Homer complains that he wanted to own the Dallas Cowboys, as the Broncos team that just arrived are playing very sloppy football on his front lawn ( a reference to the team losing four Super Bowl appearances, three by significant margins including Super Bowl XII against Dallas ). Incidentally, the Broncos were 13 -- 3 in the 1996 season, and won the Super Bowl the next 2 seasons. In the episode, `` The Bonfire of the Manatees '', Homer picks the Broncos to win the Super Bowl over the Seattle Seahawks. The two teams later did play against each other in Super Bowl XLVIII which aired on Fox, the U.S. home of The Simpsons. In the Mork & Mindy episode `` Hold That Mork '', Mork 's character, played by Robin Williams, became the first male cheerleader in Broncos ' history. As a member of the `` Pony Express '', he trotted out on the field at Mile High Stadium during an actual Broncos ' game vs. the New England Patriots on November 11, 1979. The episode aired exactly two weeks later. Many former Broncos are now in broadcasting, including Shannon Sharpe, Mark Schlereth, Alfred Williams, Tom Jackson, Ed McCaffrey, Brian Griese, David Diaz - Infante, Terrell Davis and John Lynch. Notes and references Jump up ^ `` The Broncos Are Born ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 21, 2017. Jump up ^ The postal designation of Englewood, a city eight ( 8 ) miles west, is used in the headquarters mailing address. `` Contact Us ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved September 9, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos Team Capsule '' ( PDF ). 2017 Official National Football League Record and Fact Book. National Football League. August 22, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Broncos Directory '' ( PDF ). 2014 Denver Broncos Media Guide. Denver Broncos. July 8, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Wesseling, Chris ( July 23, 2014 ). `` Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen stepping back ''. National Football League. Retrieved July 25, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Statements on Owner Pat Bowlen ''. DenverBroncos.com. Denver Broncos. July 23, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos Team Encyclopedia -- Pro-Football-Reference.com ''. Pro-Football-Reference.com. ^ Jump up to : `` Team -- Pro Football Hall of Fame ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 28, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos : American Football League Charter Members ''. Conigliofamily.com. Retrieved November 28, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos Team History ''. NFLteamhistory.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos Team Encyclopedia -- Pro Football Reference ''. ^ Jump up to : `` Sports E-Cyclopedia -- Denver Broncos ''. Jump up ^ `` 1977 Denver Broncos Statistics ''. Pro Football Reference. Jump up ^ Paton, James. `` Clock runs out for ex-Broncos owner ''. Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved October 2, 2008. ^ Jump up to : Klis, Mike ( July 23, 2014 ). `` Pat Bowlen resigns control of Denver Broncos, acknowledges he is dealing with Alzheimer 's disease ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved July 23, 2014. Jump up ^ `` John Elway Timeline ''. The Sporting News. Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos ''. Football.com. Archived from the original on 2008 - 06 - 05. Retrieved 2008 - 11 - 28. Jump up ^ `` RealClearSports -- Top 10 Coach Killers -- John Elway ''. Jump up ^ Reid Brooks. `` Mile High Feud : John Elway and Mike Shanahan Still Have a Beef, but Why ? ''. Bleacher Report. ^ Jump up to : `` Reeves ' comments rekindle feud with Elway, Shanahan ''. CNN / SI. January 24, 1999. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Jump up ^ `` Super Bowl XXXII box score ''. NFL.com. Retrieved November 28, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Shanahan, Broncos Part Ways ''. Denver Broncos. December 30, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Broncos Introduce McDaniels ''. Denver Broncos. January 11, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2009. Jump up ^ Stapleton, Arnie ( January 3, 2011 ). `` Broncos lose franchise - record 12th game as Chargers win 33 -- 28 ''. Fox 31 Denver. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2011. Jump up ^ Klis, Mike ( December 6, 2010 ). `` McDaniels fired as Broncos coach after controversy, losses pile up ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved December 6, 2010. Jump up ^ Klis, Mike ( January 5, 2011 ). `` Broncos officially announce Elway hire, promote Ellis to president ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved January 5, 2011. Jump up ^ Caldwell, Gray ( January 13, 2011 ). `` Fox Takes the Reins ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 13, 2011. Jump up ^ Legan, Kenny ( January 8, 2012 ). `` Thomas Shines in Overtime Victory ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 8, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Klis, Mike ( January 14, 2012 ). `` Tom Brady leads Patriots ' 45 -- 10 rout of Broncos, Tim Tebow in NFL playoffs ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved January 14, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Peyton Manning, Broncos OK deal ''. ESPN. March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012. Jump up ^ `` How will Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos fare next season ? ''. Los Angeles Times. March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Jets acquire Tim Tebow for draft pick ''. ESPN. March 22, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012. Jump up ^ Caldwell, Gray ; Zaas, Stuart ( January 12, 2013 ). `` Double - OT Heartbreaker Ends Denver 's Season ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 12, 2013. Jump up ^ Klis, Mike ( February 2, 2014 ). `` Broncos, Peyton Manning struggle in Super Bowl blowout by Seahawks ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved February 2, 2014. Jump up ^ Schefter, Adam ( January 12, 2015 ). `` Peyton was injured for past month ''. ESPN. Retrieved January 12, 2015. Jump up ^ Wesseling, Chris ( January 12, 2015 ). `` John Fox, Denver Broncos part ways after four seasons ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015. Jump up ^ Holden, Will ( January 16, 2015 ). `` Chicago Bears officially name John Fox new head coach ''. Fox 31 Denver. Retrieved January 16, 2015. Jump up ^ Jhabvala, Nicki ( January 20, 2015 ). `` Gary Kubiak : Denver Broncos job was `` a game - changer '' ``. The Denver Post. Retrieved January 20, 2015. Jump up ^ `` NFL.com Statistics ''. NFL.com. January 4, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016. NOTE : Search for the 2015 regular season. Jump up ^ `` Peyton Manning Career Statistics ''. pro-football-reference.com. January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2016. Jump up ^ Renck, Troy ( February 7, 2016 ). `` Von Miller, defense carry Broncos to Super Bowl 50 victory ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved February 7, 2016. Jump up ^ Renck, Troy ( March 7, 2016 ). `` Peyton Manning retires from football : `` I love the game... I will miss it. '' ``. The Denver Post. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016. Jump up ^ Patra, Kevin. `` Broncos coach Gary Kubiak retires from coaching ''. NFL.com. Retrieved January 2, 2017. Jump up ^ Mason, Andrew ( January 11, 2017 ). `` Broncos appoint Vance Joseph, ' a leader of men, ' as new head coach ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved October 16, 2017. Jump up ^ Pelissero, Tom ( January 11, 2017 ). `` Vance Joseph hired as Broncos ' new head coach ''. USA TODAY. Retrieved October 16, 2017. Jump up ^ Banks, Don ( May 22, 2001 ). `` Seattle moved to NFC in approved realignment plan ''. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 1, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Boxscore finder : Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks -- Pro-Football - Reference ''. Jump up ^ Rosenthal, Gregg ( February 2, 2014 ). `` Seattle Seahawks stomp Broncos for Super Bowl win ''. National Football League. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Carter, Bob ( July 5, 2005 ). `` Elway led Broncos on `` The Drive '' ``. ESPN. Retrieved August 28, 2013. Jump up ^ Reilly, Rick ( September 21, 2011 ). `` Byner 's fumble spoils Browns shot at 1987 AFC Championship glory ''. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 28, 2013. Jump up ^ Heisler, Mark ( January 15, 1990 ). `` This Time, Just Call It Elway : AFC championship : Bronco quarterback is at his best in 37 -- 21 victory over Browns as Denver earns its third trip to the Super Bowl in four seasons ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 28, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos Playoff History -- Pro Football Reference ''. Jump up ^ Mason, Andrew ( January 17, 2014 ). `` Recalling the 2005 AFC Title Game ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 17, 2014. Jump up ^ Caldwell, Gray ( January 8, 2012 ). `` Broncos Advance with Postseason Thriller ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 28, 2013. Jump up ^ Renck, Troy ( January 17, 2016 ). `` Peyton Manning, Broncos beat Steelers, punch ticket to AFC championship game ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved January 17, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Team '' Denver Broncos ``. Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 20 July 2009. Retrieved September 3, 2012. Jump up ^ Mason, Andrew ( November 2, 2003 ). `` Broncology : So We Meet Again ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 28, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Boxscore finder : Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots -- Pro-Football - Reference ''. Jump up ^ Lynch, Tim ( October 16, 2008 ). `` Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots ; Through The Years ''. Mile High Report. Retrieved August 28, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Broncos take advantage of turnovers, eliminate Patriots ''. ESPN. January 14, 2006. Retrieved August 28, 2013. Jump up ^ sevenand7kc ( 2011 - 09 - 16 ), Benjamin Watson tackle saving touchdown, retrieved 2016 - 06 - 05 Jump up ^ `` Denver doldrums continue for the Patriots -- The Boston Globe ''. archive.boston.com. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 05. Jump up ^ `` Patriots vs. Broncos - Game Recap - October 11, 2009 - ESPN ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016 - 06 - 05. Jump up ^ Gasper, Christopher ( October 7, 2012 ). `` Lucky to see Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning again ''. The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 28, 2013. Jump up ^ Renck, Troy ( March 7, 2016 ). `` Peyton Manning retires from football : `` I love the game... I will miss it. '' ``. The Denver Post. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016. Jump up ^ Renck, Troy ( January 24, 2016 ). `` Broncos hold off Tom Brady and Patriots, head to Super Bowl ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved January 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Saccomano, Jim ( February 20, 2015 ). `` Legend and Legacy : Orange 's origin ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 20, 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` White at Home in the NFL -- Uni Watch ''. Archived from the original on 2010 - 04 - 25. Jump up ^ `` Endzone 's Denver Broncos Game - Used News & Price Guide Page ''. Jump up ^ `` New uniforms for a new era ''. Denver Broncos. February 4, 1997. Retrieved October 16, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Legan, Kenny ( October 3, 2011 ). `` Orange Crush ''. Denver Broncos. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011. Jump up ^ Pomeroy, L.A. ( 2012 ). `` Thunder : Denver 's Favorite Bronco '' ( PDF ). Modern Arabian Horse. Arabian Horse Association. pp. 62 -- 67. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Broncos unveil new uniform and logo '' ( Press release ). National Football League. February 4, 1997. Archived from the original on April 19, 1997. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Broncos ' RBs turn in uneven performances ''. The Denver Post. August 4, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010. Jump up ^ `` ESC 's Denver Broncos Uniform History ''. ^ Jump up to : `` End Zone Sports Charities '' ( PDF ). Jump up ^ `` NFL announces 2009 AFL ' Legacy Games ' ''. NFL.com. July 19, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2009. Jump up ^ Klis, Mike ( October 10, 2009 ). `` Even if they win, the Broncos figure to look bad in their throwback uniforms Sunday ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved October 10, 2009. Jump up ^ Klis, Mike ( October 1, 2013 ). `` Broncos to wear alternate blue uniforms vs. Cowboys in Dallas ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved October 1, 2013. Jump up ^ Mason, Andrew ( August 20, 2015 ). `` Blue thunder : Broncos to break out blue jerseys against Packers, Raiders ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 20, 2015. Jump up ^ Swanson, Ben ( January 25, 2016 ). `` Broncos to wear white uniforms in Super Bowl 50 ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Mason, Andrew ( September 13, 2016 ). `` NFL reveals Color Rush jersey for the Broncos ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved September 13, 2016. Jump up ^ Boniface, Daniel ( December 13, 2017 ). `` What do you think about the Denver Broncos `` color rush '' uniforms ? ``. The Denver Post. Retrieved December 13, 2017. Jump up ^ `` FAQ ''. Denver Broncos. Jump up ^ `` Guide To Sports Authority Field At Mile High ''. CBS Denver. October 25, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2013. Jump up ^ Caldwell, Gray ( August 16, 2011 ). `` A New Home ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Broncos stadium renamed Sports Authority Field at Mile High ''. The Denver Post. August 16, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Worthington, Danika ; Wolfe, Cameron ( July 27, 2016 ). `` Mile High Stadium will get a new naming sponsor after Sports Authority, Broncos chief says ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved July 27, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Training Facility ''. Denver Broncos. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos and UCHealth announce major health partnership ''. Denver Broncos. July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos Franchise Encyclopedia -- Pro Football Reference ''. November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012. Jump up ^ Caldwell, Gray ( December 21, 2012 ). `` Broncos Announce Stadium Upgrades ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved December 21, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Ex-Bronco Tripucka says Manning can wear familiar No. 18 ''. National Football League. March 20, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Broncos to unveil retired number signage Sunday ''. KUSA - TV. September 13, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Denver Broncos to unveil retired number signage on Sunday ''. Mile High Report. September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016. Jump up ^ Swanson, Ben ( September 18, 2016 ). `` Broncos unveil retired numbers tribute in pregame ceremony ''. Denver Broncos. Retrieved September 18, 2016. Jump up ^ Jones, Lindsay ( July 31, 2012 ). `` Ed McCaffrey joins KOA Broncos broadcast team ''. The Denver Post. Retrieved July 31, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Broadcast Partners ''. Denver Broncos. Jump up ^ Espinoza, Annette ( December 5, 2009 ). `` Tim McKernan, `` Barrel Man '' to Broncos fans, dies at 69 ``. The Denver Post. Retrieved December 6, 2009. Jump up ^ Parker, Ryan ( January 24, 2014 ). `` Denver Broncos owe success to `` South Park '' hilariously claim creators Parker and Stone ``. The Denver Post. Retrieved June 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Jhabvala, Nicki ( August 11, 2014 ). `` Robin Williams, aka `` Mork '', made Broncos history as first male cheerleader ``. The Denver Post. Retrieved August 11, 2014. Further reading Denver Broncos : The Complete Illustrated History ( 2009 ), by Jim Saccomano & John Elway, MBI Publishing Company, ISBN 0 - 7603 - 3476 - 5 Then Morton Said to Elway... : The Best Denver Broncos Stories Ever Told ( 2008 ), by Craig Morton & Adrian Dater, Triumph Books, ISBN 1 - 60078 - 121 - 7 Game of My Life : Denver Broncos : Memorable Stories of Broncos Football ( 2007 ), by Jim Saccomano, Sports Publishing LLC, ISBN 1 - 59670 - 091 - 2 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Denver Broncos : Heart - Pounding, Jaw - Dropping, and Gut - Wrenching Moments from Denver Broncos History ( 2007 ), By Adrian Dater -- Triumph Books, ISBN 1 - 57243 - 975 - 0 John Elway and the Denver Broncos : Super Bowl XXXIII ( 2007 ), by Michael Sandler, Bearport Pub Company, ISBN 1 - 59716 - 536 - 0 The Denver Broncos ( 2006 ), by Mark Stewart -- Norwood House Press, ISBN 1 - 59953 - 066 - X Denver Broncos : Colorful Tales of the Orange and Blue ( 2004 ), by Larry Zimmer, Globe Pequot Press, ISBN 0 - 7627 - 2766 - 7 Broncos Power Rankings Around the Web : ( 2017 ), by Taylor Kothe, SB Nation : Mile High Report Bye Week https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/10/4/16409056/broncos-nfl-power-rankings External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Denver Broncos. Official website Denver Broncos Founded in 1960 Based in Denver, Colorado Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado Franchise History Players Starting quarterbacks Coaches Seasons First - round draft picks Broadcasters Stadiums Mile High Stadium Sports Authority Field at Mile High Key personnel Owner Pat Bowlen President / CEO Joe Ellis Executive Vice President / General Manager John Elway Head Coach Vance Joseph Culture Barrel Man Cheerleaders Miles Mork & Mindy No Fly Zone Orange Crush Defense `` Rocky Mountain Way '' South Park Thunder `` You Only Move Twice '' ( The Simpsons episode ) Lore Mile High Miracle Snowball Game The Drive The Fumble The Helicopter The 3 : 16 game Rivalries Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Oakland Raiders New England Patriots Brady -- Manning rivalry Retired numbers 7 18 44 Division championships 1977 1978 1984 1986 1989 1991 1998 2005 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Conference championships 1977 1986 1989 1997 1998 2013 2015 League championships 1997 ( XXXII ) 1998 ( XXXIII ) 2015 ( 50 ) Media Broadcasters Dave Logan Brian Griese Scott Hastings Ed McCaffrey Alan Roach TV : KUSA 9News Radio : 850 KOA ( AM ) Current league affiliations League : National Football League ( 1970 -- present ) Conference : American Football Conference Division : West Division Former league affiliation League : American Football League ( 1960 -- 1969 ) Seasons ( 58 ) 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Championship seasons in bold Links to related articles National Football League ( 2018 ) AFC East North South West Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Oakland Raiders NFC East North South West Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers Arizona Cardinals Los Angeles Rams San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Seasons Seasons ( by team ) Preseason Hall of Fame Game American Bowl Regular season Kickoff game Monday Night Football International Series London Toronto Bills Series List of games played outside the U.S. Thanksgiving games Christmas games Playoffs Streaks Droughts AFC Championship NFC Championship Super Bowl champions quarterbacks Pro Bowl History League history Executive history Championship history Timeline Defunct franchises Franchise moves and mergers Los Angeles team history Proposed stadiums 1995 -- 2016 American Football League ( 1960 -- 1969 ) Playoffs Merger NFL Championship ( 1920 -- 1969 ) Playoff Bowl Records individual team Super Bowl All time win -- loss Last undefeated Tied games Canceled games Controversies Business Owners Properties Management Council Competition Committee Collective Bargaining Agreement National Football League Players Association Lockouts Media TV NFL Network NFL RedZone Radio NFL Films Other Officials Stadiums Chronology Awards All - 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Question: who did denver play in the super bowl
Answer: Dallas Cowboys