We are smack dab in the middle of Broncos country Go Broncs! In fact, just weeks after this was published our Broncos won the 50th Super Bowl.
The Denver Broncos began when Minor League Baseball owner Bob Howsam received the Broncos as a brand new franchise. They began their run in the AFL, a fledgling league that only lasted 10 years. The Broncos played their first season at the University of Denver(DU). They won their first game against the Boston Patriots in 1960. However, they were BAD during the 60’s.
The Orange Crush had their first truly awesome season in 1977,going 12-2 and making the playoffs for the first time. Led by the aging quarterback Craig Morton, the Broncos made it all the way to the Super bowl before being defeated 27-10 by the Dallas Cowboys.
The ownership of the team changed hands multiple times during the 80s before finally being passed to current owner Pat Bowlen. It was in 1983 that the Broncos acquired John Elway in a trade. In fact, Elway was drafted #1 by the Baltimore Colts. However, Elway was also drafted to the New York Yankees as a center fielder. Elway said he would choose baseball unless he was traded to one of several teams, and Denver was the lucky team. Prior to Elway’s arrival the Broncos had gone through 24 quarterbacks in 23 seasons.
Elway’s early run with the Broncos got them to the post-season 6 times, and to the Super Bowl 3 times. They lost all of these Super Bowls in 1987, 1988, and 1990. The loss in 1990 of 10-55 remains the most lopsided Super Bowl ever. Yikes.. In 1995 former Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan took the reigns. He drafted Terrell Davis the very next year.
The Broncos won their first Super Bowl in 1997 beating the Green Bay Packers 31-24. Elway didn’t play well. He had no touchdowns and one interception. He completed only 13/22 passes but did come away with a rushing touchdown. The Broncos repeated their Super Bowl victory the very next year, beating the Atlanta Falcons 34-19. Elway was named the Super Bowl MVP piling up 336 yards, including an 80 yard bomb to wide receiver Rod Smith.
The Broncos have been to one Super Bowl since, and that was the 43-8 Stomping by the Seattle Seahawks. But not to worry... With Elway still behind the scenes making decisions for the team, it seems the Broncos will be in playoff contention for years to come. Go Broncs!!!
NA˚ B.CD WEF˚ GH.JK
A = Brandon McManus + C.J. Anderson + Emmanuel Sanders
B = Kayvon Webster – Andre Caldwell
C = Brandon Marshall – Emmanuel Sanders
D = Kyle Williams – Emmanuel Sanders
E = Emmanuel Sanders
F = Derek Wolfe – Antonio Smith
G = Demaryius Thomas – Demaryius Thomas
H = Emmanuel Sanders – Britton Colquitt
J = Emmanuel Sanders + Kapri Bibbs
K = Peyton Manning – Brock Osweiller
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.