The
2012 season was the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...
' 43rd in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
(NFL), their 53rd overall and their second under
head coach
A head coach, senior coach, or manager is a professional responsible for training and developing athletes within a sports team. This role often has a higher public profile and salary than other coaching positions. In some sports, such as associat ...
John Fox. The offseason was marked by the signing of former
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. Since the 2008 India ...
' quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
on March 20, leading to the team trading incumbent
quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard Tebow (; born August 14, 1987) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. Tebow played college football for t ...
to the
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...
. The Broncos did not have a first-round selection in the
2012 NFL draft
The 2012 NFL draft was the 77th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible American football players for their rosters. The draft, which is officially called the "NFL Player Selection Meeting", was held ...
, and selected defensive end
Derek Wolfe
Derek Wolfe (born February 24, 1990) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats football, Cincinnat ...
as the team's first pick in the second round of the draft.
After a 2–3 start to the season, the Broncos finished the regular season on an eleven-game winning streak, and with a record of 13–3, the team exceeded their win total from the previous two seasons combined. The Broncos won their second consecutive
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
division title, sweeping their division, as well as earning a first-round bye for the first time since
2005
2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...
and homefield advantage throughout the
playoffs
The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eithe ...
for the first time since
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...
, but
lost to the
eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
in the Divisional round by a double-overtime score of 38–35.
During the season, Manning set numerous individual, franchise and league records, including 300-yard passing games and game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. Second-year linebacker
Von Miller
Vonnie B'VSean Miller (born March 26, 1989) is an American professional American football, football linebacker. Miller played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies football, Texas A&M Aggies, where he earned consensus College Football All-A ...
also set a franchise record for
sack
A sack usually refers to a rectangular-shaped bag.
Sack may also refer to:
Bags
* Flour sack
* Gunny sack
* Hacky sack, sport
* Money sack
* Paper sack
* Sleeping bag
* Stuff sack
* Knapsack
Other uses
* Bed, a slang term
* Sack (band), ...
s at 18.5.
Coaching and front-office changes
* January 17:
Matt Russell
Matthew Jason Russell (born July 5, 1973) is an American professional football executive and former player who is a senior personnel executive for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He formerly served as the directo ...
, who served as the team's director of college scouting during the past three seasons, was promoted to director of player personnel. That same day, the Broncos announced that
Rich Tuten
Rich may refer to:
Common uses
* Rich, an entity possessing wealth
* Rich, an intense flavor, color, sound, texture, or feeling
** Rich (wine), a descriptor in wine tasting
Places United States
* Rich, Mississippi, an unincorporated commu ...
, the team's strength and conditioning coach since
1995
1995 was designated as:
* United Nations Year for Tolerance
* World Year of Peoples' Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War
This was the first year that the Internet was entirely privatized, with the United States government ...
, will not return for the 2012 season.
* January 24: Defensive coordinator
Dennis Allen was hired as the new head coach of the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
.
* January 27: The Broncos hired former
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team ...
' head coach
Jack Del Rio
Jack Louis Del Rio Jr. (born April 4, 1963) is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach of the Paris Musketeers of the European League of Football (ELF). He played college football for the USC Trojans ...
as the team's new defensive coordinator, replacing Dennis Allen. Del Rio previously worked in the same capacity on
John Fox's staff with the
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...
in . Also on January 27, the Broncos hired
Luke Richesson as the team's new strength and conditioning coach, replacing Rich Tuten.
* February 3: The Broncos hired
Mike Sullivan as the team's new director of football administration, replacing
Mike Bluem.
* May 7: The Broncos parted ways with general manager
Brian Xanders after four seasons. The team never did announce a replacement.
* May 14:
Wayne Nunnely, who served as the team's defensive line coach during the past three seasons, retired. His position was filled by
Jay Rodgers
Jay Rodgers (born August 29, 1976) is an American football coach and former quarterback who currently serves as the edges coach for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) . He also served as the defensive line coach and run ...
, who served as a coaching assistant during the past three seasons.
* May 29:
Cory Undlin
Cory Undlin (born June 29, 1971) is an American football coach who is the defensive passing game coordinator for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in ...
was hired as the new defensive quality control coach – a position previously held by Jay Rodgers. Undlin previously worked on Jack Del Rio's staff with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the previous three seasons.
Roster changes
Free agents
Signings
Signing of Peyton Manning
On March 20, 2012, the Broncos reached an agreement with former
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. Since the 2008 India ...
'
quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
on a five-year, $96 million contract. Manning missed the entire season following multiple neck surgeries, and was released by the Colts two weeks earlier on March 7, one day before the Colts were due to pay him a $28 million roster bonus. The
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The club entered the NFL a ...
,
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The ...
,
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...
,
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners and nicknamed the Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member ...
and
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. They play the ...
were also mentioned as possible destinations for the former long-time Colts quarterback; however, Manning informed Broncos' personnel to begin contract negotiations with the team on March 19, and he was introduced as the Broncos' new
quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...
in a press conference at the team's headquarters in
Dove Valley the following day.
The language of the contract contained the following conditions: Manning did not suffer a setback in his recovery from neck surgery prior to the end of the season; therefore, the Broncos owed Manning $18 million for the 2012 season. Manning passed a physical exam at the beginning of the league year, and the Broncos owed Manning $40 million through the season. The fourth (and eventual final) year of the contract – $19 million for – was dependent on Manning passing a physical exam. Manning retired on March 7, 2016, one month after the Broncos won
Super Bowl 50
Super Bowl 50 was an American football game to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2015 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion Denver Broncos defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) ...
.
Departures
Trades
* On March 21, one day after the signing of
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
, the Broncos were involved in a trade that sent
quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard Tebow (; born August 14, 1987) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. Tebow played college football for t ...
to the
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...
– ''see
draft
Draft, the draft, or draught may refer to:
Watercraft dimensions
* Draft (hull), the distance from waterline to keel of a vessel
* Draft (sail), degree of curvature in a sail
* Air draft, distance from waterline to the highest point on a v ...
section below''.
* On May 23,
cornerback
A cornerback (CB) is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in gridiron football. Cornerbacks cover Wide receiver, receivers most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such Play from scrimmage, offensive running plays as sweep ...
Cassius Vaughn
Cassius M. Vaughn (born November 3, 1987) is an American former professional football defensive back. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels. Vaughn also played f ...
was traded to the
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. Since the 2008 India ...
in exchange for
fullback Chris Gronkowski.
Draft
Draft trades
Undrafted free agents
All
undrafted free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...
s were signed just after the
2012 NFL draft
The 2012 NFL draft was the 77th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible American football players for their rosters. The draft, which is officially called the "NFL Player Selection Meeting", was held ...
concluded on April 28, unless noted otherwise.
Suspensions
* March 9:
Linebacker
Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and typically line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage and so back up the defensive linemen. They play closer to the line ...
D. J. Williams,
defensive tackle
A defensive tackle (DT) is a position in American football that typically lines up on the line of scrimmage, opposite one of the Guard (American football), offensive guards; however, he may also line up opposite one of the offensive Tackle (gridir ...
Ryan McBean and
tight end
The tight end (TE) is an offense (sports), offensive position in American football, arena football, and Canadian football. It is a hybrid that combines the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a receiver (football), receiv ...
Virgil Green were each suspended by the
NFL
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...
for violating the league's policy on
performance-enhancing substances
Performance-enhancing substances (PESs), also known as performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), are substances that are used to improve any form of activity performance in humans.
Many substances, such as anabolic steroids, can be used to improve ath ...
. Williams and McBean were each suspended for the first six games of the season, while Green was given a four-game suspension. Williams and McBean each challenged the suspensions and took legal action against the NFL. McBean later signed with the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
on May 7, three weeks after his restricted free agent tender was rescinded by the Broncos.
On August 27, a federal appeals court upheld Williams' suspension, and on October 5, Williams was suspended for an additional three games by the NFL following his August conviction for a
driving under the influence
Driving under the influence (DUI) is the crime of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while one is impaired from doing so safely by the effect of either alcohol (drug), alcohol (see drunk driving) or some other drug, whether re ...
arrest in November 2010. Green was reinstated to the active roster on October 1,
while Williams was reinstated to the active roster on November 17, the latter in time for the team's Week 11 game vs. the
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...
.
* September 25:
Linebacker
Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and typically line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage and so back up the defensive linemen. They play closer to the line ...
Joe Mays was suspended one game and fined
$50,000 by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team plays its home games at N ...
'
quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...
Matt Schaub
Matthew Rutledge Schaub (; born June 25, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers, and was selecte ...
, during the Broncos' 31–25 loss to the Texans two days earlier (September 23). Schaub had his helmet knocked off, and suffered a laceration on his earlobe as a result of the hit. Mays missed the Broncos' Week 4 game against the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
, and had been considered a repeat offender, following a $7,875 fine for a hit on
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...
'
quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...
Matt Ryan in Week 2.
Injuries
* August 4:
Running back
A running back (RB) is a member of the offensive backfield in gridiron football. The primary roles of a running back are to receive American football plays#Offensive terminology, handoffs from the quarterback to Rush (American football)#Offense ...
Mario Fannin
Mario Fannin Jr. (born December 4, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He grew up in Lovejoy, Georgia and was a four-star athlete at Love ...
suffered a ruptured
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon or heel cord, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is a tendon at the back of the lower leg, and is the thickest in the human body. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius (calf) and soleus muscles to the calcane ...
during training camp, and was placed on
injured reserve
The injured reserve list ( IR list) is a designation used in North American professional sports leagues for athletes who suffer injuries and become unable to play. The exact name of the list varies by league; it is known as "injured reserve" in ...
. Fannin missed the entire season following a knee injury during the preseason last year.
* August 14:
Guard
Guard or guards may refer to:
Professional occupations
* Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault
* Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street
* Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning
* Prison gu ...
Chris Kuper suffered a broken forearm during practice. He not only missed the remainder of the preseason, but also missed the first five games of the regular season. Also on August 14,
defensive end
Defensive end (DE) is a defensive position in the sport of gridiron football.
This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formation (American football), formations over the years have substantially ...
Jason Hunter suffered torn triceps, and was initially expected to miss at least two months, but was placed on injured reserve on August 27.
* September 11:
Defensive tackle
A defensive tackle (DT) is a position in American football that typically lines up on the line of scrimmage, opposite one of the Guard (American football), offensive guards; however, he may also line up opposite one of the offensive Tackle (gridir ...
Ty Warren
Ty'ron Markeith Warren (born February 6, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football f ...
was placed on injured reserve, after suffering torn triceps for a second consecutive season.
* September 18: Rookie guard/
center
Center or centre may refer to:
Mathematics
*Center (geometry), the middle of an object
* Center (algebra), used in various contexts
** Center (group theory)
** Center (ring theory)
* Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...
Philip Blake
Philip Anthony Blake (born November 27, 1985) is a Canadian professional Canadian football, football offensive lineman who is currently a free agent. He played college football for the Baylor Bears football, Baylor Bears. He has also been a mem ...
was placed on injured reserve.
* September 29:
Safety
Safety is the state of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk.
Meanings
The word 'safety' entered the English language in the 1 ...
Quinton Carter was placed on injured reserve due to knee surgery.
* October 1: Center
J. D. Walton was placed on injured reserve, after suffering a dislocated ankle during the team's Week 4 win over the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
the previous day.
* October 30:
Linebacker
Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and typically line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage and so back up the defensive linemen. They play closer to the line ...
Joe Mays was placed on injured reserve, after he suffered a fractured fibula during the team's Week 8 win over the
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...
two days earlier.
* November 21: Running back
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III (born October 21, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-Americ ...
was placed on the injured reserve/designated for return list, two days after suffering a ruptured
MCL and compression fracture in his right knee, during the team's Week 11 win over the
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...
. Under
NFL
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...
rules, McGahee became eligible to return to practice on January 2, 2013 – three days after the regular season finale, and would have been eligible to return for the
AFC championship game on January 20, had the Broncos made it that far into the postseason.
*
Cornerback
A cornerback (CB) is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in gridiron football. Cornerbacks cover Wide receiver, receivers most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such Play from scrimmage, offensive running plays as sweep ...
Tracy Porter
Tracy O'Neil Porter (born August 11, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers and was selected by the New Orleans ...
missed more than half of the season, after experiencing aftereffects from a
seizure
A seizure is a sudden, brief disruption of brain activity caused by abnormal, excessive, or synchronous neuronal firing. Depending on the regions of the brain involved, seizures can lead to changes in movement, sensation, behavior, awareness, o ...
that he suffered during the preseason. Porter began experiencing symptoms prior to the team's Week 6 game against the San Diego Chargers, and returned to practice on a limited basis over the next several weeks. Porter returned to game action against the
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. The Browns compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team is named after ...
in Week 16, only to suffer a concussion and miss the Week 17 regular season finale and the playoffs.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Broncos kicked off their season at home against the
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...
on
Sunday Night Football, in a rematch of their 2011 Wild Card playoff game. After a scoreless first quarter, the Steelers grabbed the lead, with a 21-yard field goal by placekicker
Shaun Suisham. The Broncos responded, with running back
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno (born July 16, 1987) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs football, Geor ...
rushing for a 7-yard touchdown, but the Steelers countered, with a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr. ( ; born March 2, 1982), nicknamed "Big Ben", is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Ste ...
to tight end
Heath Miller
Earl Heath Miller Jr. (born October 22, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons from 2005 to 2015. Miller played college foot ...
just before halftime. In the third quarter, the Steelers added to their lead, with a 35-yard field goal by Suisham. The Broncos grabbed the lead, when quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
threw his 400th career touchdown pass—a 71-yarder to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
, but the Steelers responded early in the fourth quarter, when Roethlisberger threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Mike Wallace
Myron Leon Wallace (May 9, 1918 – April 7, 2012) was an American journalist, game show host, actor, and media personality. Known for his investigative journalism, he interviewed a wide range of prominent newsmakers during his seven-decade car ...
(with a failed two-point conversion attempt). With 9:23 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Broncos claimed the lead for good, when Manning threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Jacob Tamme
Jacob Francis Tamme ( ; born March 15, 1985) is an American former professional American football, football tight end. He played college football at Kentucky Wildcats football, Kentucky and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth ro ...
(coupled with running back
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III (born October 21, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-Americ ...
receiving a pass from Manning for a two-point conversion), then added to their lead with a 26-yard field goal by placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
, followed by cornerback
Tracy Porter
Tracy O'Neil Porter (born August 11, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers and was selected by the New Orleans ...
returning an interception off Roethlisberger 43 yards for a touchdown (with a failed two-point conversion attempt).
Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons
Following their season-opening win over the Steelers, the Broncos traveled to the
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome was a Stadium#Types, domed stadium in the Southeastern United States. Located in Atlanta between downtown Atlanta, downtown to the east and Vine City to the west, it was owned and operated by the State of Georgia as part of th ...
to face the
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...
on
Monday Night Football
''Monday Night Football'' (often abbreviated as ''MNF'') is the branding used for broadcasts of National Football League (NFL) games that air on Monday nights. It originally ran on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from 1970 NFL season, 1970 t ...
. The Falcons converted three first quarter Peyton Manning interceptions into an eventual 20–0 lead, with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back
Michael Turner, followed by field goals of 37 and 42 yards by placekicker
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant (born May 29, 1975), nicknamed "Money Matt", is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Baylor Bears, and was signed as ...
—the latter in the second quarter—and a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Matt Ryan to tight end
Tony Gonzalez
Anthony David Gonzalez (born February 27, 1976) is an American former professional football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, he is the NFL's all ...
. The Broncos got on the scoreboard just before halftime, with quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
. The Falcons responded in the third quarter, with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to wide receiver
Roddy White. The Broncos tried to rally in the fourth quarter, with running back
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III (born October 21, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-Americ ...
rushing for a pair of 2-yard touchdowns. However, the Falcons would run out the clock.
Week 3: vs. Houston Texans
Hoping to rebound from their
Monday Night
''Monday Night, Recorded Live at the Village Vanguard'' is a 1968 big band jazz album recorded at the Village Vanguard in New York City by The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and released on the Solid State Records. All tracks are included on M ...
loss in Atlanta, the Broncos returned home for an
AFC duel with the
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team plays its home games at N ...
. The Broncos jumped out to a 5–0 lead in the first quarter, with defensive end
Elvis Dumervil
Elvis Kool Dumervil (born January 19, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, ...
sacking Texans' quarterback
Matt Schaub
Matthew Rutledge Schaub (; born June 25, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers, and was selecte ...
in the end zone for a safety, followed by a 32-yard field goal placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
. However, the Texans would reel off 21 unanswered points, with Schaub throwing three touchdown passes—a 60-yarder to wide receiver
Andre Johnson
Andre Lamont Johnson (born July 11, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Houston Texans. He played college football for the Mi ...
, followed in the second quarter by a 3-yarder to running back
Arian Foster
Arian Isa Foster (born August 24, 1986) is an American former football player who is a musical artist under the name Bobby Feeno. He played professionally as a running back in the National Football League (NFL).
Foster played college football ...
and a 52-yarder to wide receiver
Kevin Walter. The Broncos narrowed the Texans' lead to 21–11 at halftime, with a pair of field goals by Prater—from 23 and 53 yards. The Texans increased their lead in the third quarter, with a 41-yard field goal by placekicker
Shayne Graham
Michael Shayne Graham (born December 9, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. He made hi ...
, followed by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Schaub to tight end
Owen Daniels Owen Daniels may refer to:
* Owen Daniels (American football)
Owen Gerald Daniels (born November 9, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football f ...
. Trailing 31–11 with 10:20 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Broncos tried to rally, with quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
throwing a pair of touchdown passes—a 38-yarder to wide receiver
Brandon Stokley and a 6-yarder to tight end
Joel Dreessen to narrow Houston's lead to 31–25 with three minutes remaining. After forcing a Texans' punt, the Broncos got the football back with 20 seconds remaining, but the Texans' defense stood their ground.
Notes
Former
wide receiver
A wide receiver (WR), also referred to as a wideout, and historically known as a split end (SE) or flanker (FL), is an eligible receiver in gridiron football. A key skill position of the offense (American football), offense, WR gets its name ...
Rod Smith, who played with the Broncos from 1994 to 2007, was inducted into the
Broncos Ring of Fame during halftime. Smith is the Broncos' franchise leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
Week 4: vs. Oakland Raiders
Hoping to snap a two-game losing streak, the Broncos remained on home ground for an
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
duel against the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
. The Broncos grabbed the early lead, with quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
throwing a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Joel Dreessen. The Raiders responded, with a 38-yard field goal by placekicker
Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Paweł Janikowski (; born March 2, 1978) is a Polish former professional player of American football who was a placekicker for 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Oakland Raiders. He played college fo ...
, but the Broncos countered, with a 21-yard field goal by placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
at the end of the first quarter. A 24-yard field goal by Janikowski just before halftime was the only scoring play of the second quarter. The Broncos' offense exploded in the third quarter, with Manning connecting on a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
, followed by a 2-yard touchdown run by running back
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III (born October 21, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-Americ ...
and a 14-yard touchdown pass from Manning to running back
Lance Ball
Lance Ball (born June 19, 1985) is an American former professional football running back. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins.
Ball was also a member of th ...
. Prater added field goals of 43 and 53 yards in the fourth quarter.
Notes
With the win, the Broncos snapped a four-game home losing streak against the Raiders.
;Injuries
Center
Center or centre may refer to:
Mathematics
*Center (geometry), the middle of an object
* Center (algebra), used in various contexts
** Center (group theory)
** Center (ring theory)
* Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentrici ...
J. D. Walton suffered a dislocated ankle late in the second quarter, and was placed on the season-ending
injured reserve
The injured reserve list ( IR list) is a designation used in North American professional sports leagues for athletes who suffer injuries and become unable to play. The exact name of the list varies by league; it is known as "injured reserve" in ...
the following day (October 1).
Week 5: at New England Patriots
Coming off their dominating win over the Raiders, the Broncos traveled to
Foxborough, Massachusetts
Foxborough is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Located in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, it is about southwest of Boston. The population was 18,618 at the 2020 census.
"Foxborough" is the official spelling of th ...
to face the
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...
at
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States. The stadium is southwest of Downtown Boston and 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and admi ...
. This was the 13th meeting between quarterbacks
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
and
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. (born August 3, 1977) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 23 seasons. He spent his first 20 seasons with the New Engla ...
since . The Patriots grabbed the early lead, with Brady connecting on an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Wes Welker
Wesley Carter Welker (born May 1, 1981) is an American professional football coach and former wide receiver who is a personnel analyst for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL for 12 seasons, mo ...
. The Broncos responded early in the second quarter, with Manning tossing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Joel Dreessen. However, the Patriots reeled off 24 unanswered points, with running back
Shane Vereen
Shane Patrick-Henry Vereen (born March 2, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the ...
rushing for a 1-yard touchdown, a 23-yard field goal by placekicker
Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Carroll Gostkowski ( ; born January 28, 1984) is an American former professional football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. A member of the New England Patriots for most of his career, he is th ...
just before halftime, followed in the third quarter by Brady scoring a 1-yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak and running back
Stevan Ridley
Stevan Todd Ridley (born January 27, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the New England Patri ...
rushing for an 8-yard touchdown. The latter touchdown occurred after a Manning fumble deep in Broncos' territory. The Broncos responded, with Manning throwing a pair of touchdown passes – a 2-yarder to wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
, followed in the fourth quarter by a 5-yarder to wide receiver
Brandon Stokley to close the gap to 31–21 with 6:43 remaining. Following a Patriots' fumble, the Broncos were attempting to rally, however, running back
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III (born October 21, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-Americ ...
fumbled the football at the Patriots' 14-yard line with 3:48 remaining, halting the Broncos' rally attempt. The Patriots subsequently ran out the clock.
Week 6: at San Diego Chargers
Hoping to rebound from their loss at New England, the Broncos traveled to
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in San Diego, California, United States. Opened in 1967 as San Diego Stadium; it was renamed Jack Murphy Stadium for sportswriter Jack Murphy (sportswriter), Jack Murphy from 1981 to 1997. From 1997 t ...
for an
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
duel with the
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...
on
Monday Night Football
''Monday Night Football'' (often abbreviated as ''MNF'') is the branding used for broadcasts of National Football League (NFL) games that air on Monday nights. It originally ran on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from 1970 NFL season, 1970 t ...
. The Chargers jumped out to a 10–0 lead in the first quarter, with a 32-yard field goal by placekicker
Nick Novak
Nicholas Ryan Novak (born August 21, 1981) is an American former professional football placekicker. He played college football at Maryland and was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2005.
Novak was a member of the Dallas ...
, followed by a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Philip Rivers
Philip Michael Rivers (born December 8, 1981) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons, primarily with the Chargers franchise. He played college football for the ...
to tight end
Antonio Gates
Antonio Ethan Gates Jr. (born June 18, 1980) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 16-year career as a tight end for the San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) from 2003 to 2018. ...
. Both scores came off Broncos' miscues on special teams—the former occurred after
Trindon Holliday muffed a punt return, while the latter occurred after
Omar Bolden
Omar Bolden (born December 20, 1988) is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the ...
coughed up the football on a kickoff return. The Broncos were attempting to narrow the Chargers' lead midway through the second quarter, but wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
stumbled near the Chargers' 30-yard line when it appeared that he was headed to the end zone for an easy touchdown, after receiving a 55-yard pass from quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
. Three plays later, Manning threw an interception that was returned by Chargers' cornerback
Quentin Jammer
Quentin Tremaine Jammer (born June 19, 1979) is an American former professional football cornerback who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, earning unanimous All-Ameri ...
80 yards for a touchdown. The Chargers increased their lead to 24–0 just before halftime, with Rivers connecting on an 11-yard touchdown pass to Gates.
The Broncos then staged one of the most memorable comebacks in Monday Night Football history. On the opening drive of the second half, Manning led the Broncos on an 8-play, 85-yard drive, culminating with a 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
. On the Chargers' next possession, Broncos' defensive end
Elvis Dumervil
Elvis Kool Dumervil (born January 19, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, ...
forced a fumble off Rivers, and cornerback
Tony Carter scooped up the football and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. After the Broncos' defense forced a three-and-out, Manning hooked up with Decker on a 7-yard touchdown pass to pull the Broncos within 24–21 early in the fourth quarter. On the Chargers' next possession, Carter picked off Rivers, and four plays later, Manning tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Brandon Stokley to give the Broncos a 28–24 lead with 9:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Chargers were attempting to rally, but Rivers was intercepted by cornerback
Chris Harris, Jr. with 6:54 remaining. However, the Broncos were forced to punt seven plays later, giving the Chargers' offense the football with four minutes remaining. The Chargers once again tried to rally, but six plays later, Harris stepped in front of another Rivers' pass, returning an interception 46 yards for a touchdown, sealing the win for the Broncos.
Week 8: vs. New Orleans Saints
Coming off their miraculous comeback in San Diego and subsequent bye week, the Broncos returned home for an interconference duel against the
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...
. The Broncos grabbed the lead in the first quarter, with running back
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III (born October 21, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-Americ ...
rushing for a 1-yard touchdown. On the Broncos' next possession, McGahee committed a fumble, and the Saints responded early in the second quarter, with quarterback
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees (; born January 15, 1979) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. A member of the New Orleans Saints for most of his career, Brees is sec ...
throwing his 300th career touchdown pass—a 29-yarder to running back
Darren Sproles
Darren Lee Sproles (born June 20, 1983) is an American professional football executive and former running back. He is now a personnel consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for th ...
. On the Saints' next possession, Brees was intercepted by linebacker
Wesley Woodyard, and the Broncos dominated the remainder of the game. Quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
and placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
nailed a 33-yard field goal to close out the first half. The Broncos increased their lead in the third quarter, with Manning connecting on a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
, then pulled away in the fourth quarter, with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Decker and another 33-yard field goal by Prater. The Saints scored a late touchdown, with Brees connecting on an 18-yard pass to wide receiver
Jimmy Graham
Jimmy Graham (born November 24, 1986) is an American professional American football, football tight end. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. Graham has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, G ...
, but the game had already been decided in the Broncos' favor.
Notes
Linebacker
Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and typically line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage and so back up the defensive linemen. They play closer to the line ...
Joe Mays suffered a fractured fibula on a kickoff return during the fourth quarter, and was placed on the season-ending
injured reserve
The injured reserve list ( IR list) is a designation used in North American professional sports leagues for athletes who suffer injuries and become unable to play. The exact name of the list varies by league; it is known as "injured reserve" in ...
the following day (October 29).
Drew Brees surpassed
John Elway
John Albert Elway Jr. (born June 28, 1960) is an American former professional football quarterback who spent his entire 16-year career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, he then spent 1 ...
for sixth on the
NFL's all-time list for touchdown passes. However, Brees' personal record dropped to 0–7 in games played at Denver.
Week 9: at Cincinnati Bengals
Coming off their dominating win over the Saints, the Broncos traveled to
Paul Brown Stadium
Paycor Stadium, previously known as Paul Brown Stadium, is an outdoor football stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL) and opened on August 19, 2000.
Originally named aft ...
for an AFC duel with the
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati. The Bengals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its h ...
. A 43-yard field goal by placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
gave the Broncos an early lead, but the Bengals countered in the second quarter, with a 28-yard field goal by placekicker
Mike Nugent
Michael Nugent (born March 2, 1982) is an American former professional American football, football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes football, Ohio State Buckeye ...
. The Broncos responded, with a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
to wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
. The Broncos added to their lead, when return specialist
Trindon Holliday took the opening kickoff of the second half 105 yards for a touchdown. However, the Bengals would reel off 17 unanswered points, consisting of a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Andy Dalton
Andrew Gregory Dalton (born October 29, 1987) is an American professional football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed "the Red Rifle", he played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs, wher ...
to wide receiver
A. J. Green, a 49-field goal by Nugent followed in the fourth quarter by running back
BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushing for a 2-yard touchdown, with the latter two scores coming off Manning interceptions. This gave Cincinnati a 20–17 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Broncos re-claimed the lead on their next possession, with Manning connecting on a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Joel Dreessen. Ten plays into the Bengals' next possession, Dalton was intercepted by cornerback
Champ Bailey
Roland "Champ" Bailey Jr. (born June 22, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he earned consensus All-Ame ...
at the Bengals' 46-yard line, and the Broncos subsequently added to their lead eight plays later, with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Decker. Trailing 31–20 with 3:36 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Bengals tried to rally, with Nugent nailing a 41-yard field goal with 52 seconds remaining, but the Broncos recovered the onside kick in the game's final minute and subsequently ran out the clock.
Notes
Peyton Manning improved his personal record to 8–0 all-time in games against the Bengals.
Week 10: at Carolina Panthers

Hoping to add to a three-game winning streak, the Broncos traveled to
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 United ...
for an interconference match-up with the
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...
at
Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium is a 74,867-seat multi-purpose stadium located on in the Uptown section of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is the home facility and headquarters of the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL ...
. In the first quarter, the Panthers struck first, with quarterback
Cam Newton
Cameron Jerrell Newton (born May 11, 1989) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Carolina Panthers. He is the NFL le ...
connecting on a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Greg Olsen. However, the Broncos would reel off 29 unanswered points and dominate the remainder of the game. Quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Brandon Stokley. The Broncos grabbed the lead in the second quarter, with return specialist
Trindon Holliday returning a punt 76 yards for a touchdown, followed by a 53-yard field goal by placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
, then in the third quarter, cornerback
Tony Carter returned an interception off Newton 40 yards for a touchdown. Prater added a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, followed by safety
Mike Adams sacking Newton in the end zone for a safety. The Panthers responded in the fourth quarter, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Newton to Olsen, but the Broncos put the game out of reach, with running back
Ronnie Hillman
Ronald Keith Ryan Hillman Jr. (September 14, 1991 – December 21, 2022) was an American professional American football, football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State ...
rushing for a 5-yard touchdown.
Notes
The Broncos' defense harassed Cam Newton throughout the game, sacking Newton seven times. This was Broncos'
head coach
A head coach, senior coach, or manager is a professional responsible for training and developing athletes within a sports team. This role often has a higher public profile and salary than other coaching positions. In some sports, such as associat ...
John Fox's first visit to Carolina, where he served as head coach of the Panthers from 2002 to 2010.
Week 11: vs. San Diego Chargers
Hoping to add to a four-game winning streak, the Broncos returned home for an
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
rematch with the
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...
. The Chargers grabbed the lead in the first quarter, with safety
Eric Weddle
Eric Steven Weddle (born January 4, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the San Diego Chargers. He was a five-time All-Pro and six-time P ...
returning an interception off Broncos' quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
23 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos responded early in the second quarter, with Manning connecting on a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
. On the Chargers' next possession, quarterback
Philip Rivers
Philip Michael Rivers (born December 8, 1981) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons, primarily with the Chargers franchise. He played college football for the ...
was intercepted by Broncos' safety
Jim Leonhard
James Andrew Leonhard (born October 27, 1982) is an American professional American football, football coach and former player who is the defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football Le ...
deep in Chargers' territory. However, the Broncos had to settle for a 19-yard field goal by placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
. On the first play after the two-minute warning, Broncos' linebacker
Nate Irving
Nathaniel Irving (born July 12, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack and was selected by the Denver Broncos in ...
blocked
Mike Scifres
Michael T. Scifres (born October 8, 1980) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a punter (football position), punter in the National Football League (NFL). He played the majority of his career with the Sa ...
' punt, and on the next play, Manning threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Brandon Stokley, giving the Broncos a 17–7 lead. The first points of the third quarter came from the Chargers, with linebacker
Shaun Phillips sacking Manning in the end zone for a safety. After linebacker
Wesley Woodyard recovered a Rivers' fumble deep in Chargers' territory, the Broncos increased their lead, with Manning throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
. However, the Chargers responded late in the third quarter, with Rivers connecting on an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Danario Alexander. A pair of field goals by Prater in the fourth quarter—from 30 and 32 yards—gave the Broncos a 30–16 lead with 4:14 remaining in the game. The Chargers tried to rally, with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to Alexander with 1:24 remaining. However, the Broncos' recovered the onside kick, and subsequently ran out the clock.
Notes
With the win, the Broncos earned their first season sweep of the Chargers since
2005
2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...
, and snapped the Chargers' three-game winning streak in Denver. Nate Irving's block of a Mike Scifres' punt marked the first time since
2007
2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year.
Events
January
* January 1
**Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
that the Broncos' special teams blocked a punt.
This was the only game during the season in which the Broncos wore their alternate navy blue jerseys.
;Injuries
Running back
A running back (RB) is a member of the offensive backfield in gridiron football. The primary roles of a running back are to receive American football plays#Offensive terminology, handoffs from the quarterback to Rush (American football)#Offense ...
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III (born October 21, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-Americ ...
suffered a ruptured
MCL and compression fracture in his right knee during the second quarter, when his knee was hit by the helmet of Chargers'
cornerback
A cornerback (CB) is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in gridiron football. Cornerbacks cover Wide receiver, receivers most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such Play from scrimmage, offensive running plays as sweep ...
Quentin Jammer
Quentin Tremaine Jammer (born June 19, 1979) is an American former professional football cornerback who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, earning unanimous All-Ameri ...
. On November 21, McGahee was placed on the
injured reserve
The injured reserve list ( IR list) is a designation used in North American professional sports leagues for athletes who suffer injuries and become unable to play. The exact name of the list varies by league; it is known as "injured reserve" in ...
/designated for return list.
Week 12: at Kansas City Chiefs
Hoping to add to a five-game winning streak, the Broncos traveled to
Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium is an American football stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It primarily serves as the home venue of the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL).
It was built at the same time as neighboring Kauff ...
for an
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
duel with the
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
Established in 1959 ...
. Two field goals by Chiefs' placekicker
Ryan Succop
Ryan Barrow Succop ( ; born September 19, 1986) is an American former professional football placekicker. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was the 2009 Mr. Irrelevant by virtue of being selected by the Kansas Cit ...
—from 34 and 22 yards—game Kansas City a 6–0 lead in the first quarter. The Broncos grabbed the lead just before halftime, with quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Jacob Tamme
Jacob Francis Tamme ( ; born March 15, 1985) is an American former professional American football, football tight end. He played college football at Kentucky Wildcats football, Kentucky and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth ro ...
. The Chiefs re-claimed the lead in the third quarter, with a 49-yard field goal by Succop, however, the Broncos responded, with Manning connecting on a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
. For the last 4:41 of the third quarter and the first 8:36 of the fourth quarter, each team proceeded to trade punts, until the Broncos' offense got the football with 6:24 remaining in the game. The Broncos drove 68 yards in 12 plays, eating up 6:10 off the clock, culminating with placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
nailing a 34-yard field goal with only 14 seconds remaining to give the Broncos some breathing room. The Broncos' defense thwarted the Chiefs' last desperation drive.
With the hard-fought win, the Broncos matched their win total from
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
.
Week 13: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hoping to add to a six-game winning streak, the Broncos returned home for an interconference duel with the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...
. The Broncos grabbed the early lead, when defensive tackle
Mitch Unrein, lining up as a fullback, caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
. The Buccaneers responded, with a 31-yard field goal by placekicker
Connor Barth
Connor Thomas Barth (born April 11, 1986) is an American former professional football placekicker who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs ...
, then grabbed the lead at the end of the first quarter, with quarterback
Josh Freeman
Joshua Tyler Freeman (born January 13, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, and was selected by the Ta ...
connecting on an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Dallas Clark
Dallas Dean Clark (born June 12, 1979) is an American former professional football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unq ...
. After a scoreless second quarter, the Broncos re-claimed the lead for good with 21 unanswered points, consisting of two Manning touchdown passes to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
—from 8 and 10 yards, followed by linebacker
Von Miller
Vonnie B'VSean Miller (born March 26, 1989) is an American professional American football, football linebacker. Miller played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies football, Texas A&M Aggies, where he earned consensus College Football All-A ...
returning an interception off Freeman 26 yards for a touchdown. After a Manning interception late in the third quarter, a 50-yard field goal by Barth to begin the fourth quarter narrowed the gap to 28–13, but the Broncos countered with a 31-yard field goal by placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
. With 4:37 remaining in the game, the Buccaneers tried to rally, with a 55-yard field goal by Barth, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Freeman to wide receiver
Mike Williams with 2:39 remaining. However, the Buccaneers' onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, and the Broncos subsequently ran out the clock.
Notes
With the win, the Broncos exceeded their win total from
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
, and also clinched their second consecutive
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
division title. This was the 12th division title in the Broncos' franchise history, tying the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
for the all-time lead in AFC West championships since the
1970 AFL–NFL merger.
The Broncos also clinched consecutive division titles for the first time since 1986–87.
Week 14: at Oakland Raiders
Hoping to add to a seven-game winning streak, the Broncos traveled to the
O.co Coliseum
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, often shortened to the Oakland Coliseum, is a multi-purpose stadium in Oakland, California, United States. It serves as part of the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Complex, located next to Oakland Arena. In 2 ...
for an
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
rematch with the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
. The Broncos jumped out to a 13–0 lead, with quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Joel Dreessen, followed by field goals of 43 and 34 from placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
, with the latter field goal occurring early in the second quarter. The Raiders got on the scoreboard late in the first half, with quarterback
Carson Palmer
Carson Hilton Palmer (born December 27, 1979) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the USC Trojans, winning the Heisman Trophy as ...
throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to running back
Darren McFadden
Darren McFadden (born August 27, 1987) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks football, Arkansas ...
. The Broncos added to their lead in the third quarter, with a 20-yard field goal by Prater, a 1-yard touchdown run by running back
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno (born July 16, 1987) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs football, Geor ...
and a 33-yard field goal by Prater. A 56-yard touchdown pass from Palmer to wide receiver
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Ramar Heyward-Bey (born February 26, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, and was selected by the O ...
(with a failed two-point conversion attempt) was the only scoring play of the fourth quarter, and the Broncos ran out the final 5:36 of the game.
Notes
With the win, the Broncos earned their first season sweep of the Raiders since
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
, and also swept their division rivals on the road for the third time in four seasons.
Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens
Hoping to add to an eight-game winning streak, the Broncos traveled to
M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It has been the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) since its opening in 1998. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriol ...
for an
AFC duel with the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
, where the Broncos had never won in four previous regular-season meetings. A 27-yard field goal by Broncos' placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
was the only scoring play of the first quarter. The Broncos increased their lead in the second quarter, with fullback
Jacob Hester
Jacob Troy Hester (born May 8, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played col ...
rushing for a 1-yard touchdown. The Ravens were threatening to narrow the Broncos' lead just before halftime; however, Broncos' cornerback
Chris Harris, Jr. stepped in front of a pass from Ravens' quarterback
Joe Flacco
Joseph Vincent Flacco (born January 16, 1985) is an American professional football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Delaware Fightin' Blue ...
, returning an interception 98 yards for a touchdown. The Ravens finally got on the scoreboard in the third quarter, with a 45-yard field goal by placekicker
Justin Tucker
Justin Paul Tucker (born November 21, 1989) is an American professional football kicker. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012, spending 13 seasons with the ...
. However, the Broncos added to their lead, with quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
throwing a 51-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
, followed by a 6-yard touchdown run from running back
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno (born July 16, 1987) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs football, Geor ...
to give the Broncos a commanding 31–3 lead. The Ravens finally got into the end zone early in the fourth quarter, with Flacco connecting on a 31-yard touchdown pass to tight end
Dennis Pitta, but the Broncos responded with a 36-yard field goal from Prater. The Ravens added one more score, with a 61-yard touchdown pass from Flacco to Pitta, but the Broncos' lead was too much for the Ravens to overcome.
Notes
This was the Broncos' first-ever, and, to date, their only win in Baltimore.
Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns
Hoping to add to a nine-game winning streak, the Broncos returned home for an
AFC match-up with the
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. The Browns compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team is named after ...
. On the game's opening drive, quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
. The Browns got on the scoreboard, with a 27-yard field goal by placekicker
Phil Dawson
Philip Drury Dawson (born January 23, 1975) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns football, Texas Lo ...
. A 10-yard touchdown pass from Manning to wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
was the only scoring play of the second quarter. The Browns narrowed the Broncos' lead early in the third quarter, with a 53-yard field goal by Dawson, but the Broncos would add 17 unanswered points to their lead, with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Decker, followed in the fourth quarter by a 27-yard field goal by placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
and a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback
Jacob Hester
Jacob Troy Hester (born May 8, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played col ...
. The Browns finally scored a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, with quarterback
Colt McCoy
Daniel "Colt" McCoy (born September 5, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, winning several award ...
connecting on a 6-yard pass to wide receiver
Greg Little, but the Broncos' lead was too much for the Browns to overcome. Prater added a 41-yard field goal to close out the scoring.
Notes
The Broncos matched their win total from the two previous seasons combined, and also swept the
AFC North
The American Football Conference – Northern Division or AFC North is one of the four Division (sport), divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division was created after the NFL realign ...
division. The Broncos won their 10th consecutive game against the Browns, dating back to the
1991
It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...
season, and improved their all-time series record against the Browns to 22–5 (including the playoffs).
Week 17: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Hoping to add to a ten-game winning streak and gain momentum into the
playoffs
The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eithe ...
, the Broncos remained at home for an
AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...
divisional rematch with the
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
Established in 1959 ...
, in the regular season finale. The Broncos grabbed the early lead in the first quarter, with running back
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno (born July 16, 1987) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs football, Geor ...
rushing for a 3-yard touchdown. The Chiefs got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter, with a 23-yard field goal by placekicker
Ryan Succop
Ryan Barrow Succop ( ; born September 19, 1986) is an American former professional football placekicker. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was the 2009 Mr. Irrelevant by virtue of being selected by the Kansas Cit ...
, in what would be the Chiefs' only scoring play of the game. The Broncos later added to their lead, with quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
throwing three touchdown passes—two to wide receiver
Eric Decker
Eric Thomas Decker (born March 15, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football and college baseball for the Minnesota Gold ...
—from 11 and 16 yards, followed in the third quarter by a 13-yarder to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
. The Broncos added another touchdown late in the third quarter, with running back
Lance Ball
Lance Ball (born June 19, 1985) is an American former professional football running back. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins.
Ball was also a member of th ...
rushing for a 1-yard touchdown. A 42-yard field goal by Broncos' placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
in the fourth quarter was the last scoring play of the game.
Notes
With the win, the Broncos exceeded their win total from the two previous seasons combined, swept their AFC West division rivals for only the second time in franchise history, and earned their first season sweep of the Chiefs since
2007
2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year.
Events
January
* January 1
**Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
.
At the time, the 35-point margin was the Broncos' largest margin of victory over the Chiefs in the 53-year history of this rivalry, until it was surpassed by a
38–0 win over the Chiefs in 2024. The win was also the 100th in
John Fox's coaching career (including postseason games). By virtue of the
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston. The Texans compete in the National Football League as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team plays its home games at N ...
' 28–16 loss to the
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. Since the 2008 India ...
earlier in the day, the Broncos clinched a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the
AFC playoffs.
Standings
Division
Conference
Statistics
Team leaders
League rankings
Postseason
Schedule
Game summaries
AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (4) Baltimore Ravens
Following a first-round bye, the Broncos kicked off the divisional round of the
2012–13 NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs for the 2012 season began on January 5, 2013. Which included the Mile High Miracle, The postseason tournament concluded with the Baltimore Ravens defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, 34� ...
at home by welcoming the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
, whom the Broncos defeated in Baltimore four weeks earlier. A 90-yard punt return for a touchdown by return specialist
Trindon Holliday gave the Broncos the early lead. However, the Ravens quickly responded, with quarterback
Joe Flacco
Joseph Vincent Flacco (born January 16, 1985) is an American professional football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Delaware Fightin' Blue ...
connecting on a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Torrey Smith
James Torrey Smith (born January 26, 1989) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by ...
, followed by cornerback
Corey Graham returning an interception off Broncos' quarterback
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
39 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos tied the game, with Manning throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Brandon Stokley, then re-claimed the lead midway through the second quarter, with Manning connecting on a 14-yard touchdown pass to running back
Knowshon Moreno
Knowshon Rockwell Moreno (born July 16, 1987) is an American former professional American football, football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs football, Geor ...
. The Broncos had an opportunity to add to their lead just after the two-minute warning, but placekicker
Matt Prater
Matthew Phillip Prater (born August 10, 1984) is an American professional football placekicker. Regarded as one of the best long distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and ...
missed a 52-yard field goal, giving the Ravens excellent field goal position with 1:16 remaining until halftime. Three plays later, Flacco connected on another touchdown pass to Smith – this one from 32 yards.
Holliday took the opening kickoff of the second half 104 yards for a touchdown, but after a Manning fumble, the Ravens tied the game late in the third quarter, with running back
Ray Rice
Raymell Mourice Rice (born January 22, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers ...
rushing for a 1-yard touchdown. After each team's offense subsequently went three-and-out, the Broncos marched down the field on a 10-play, 88-yard drive, culminating with Manning throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
midway through the fourth quarter. The Ravens, on their next possession, marched 44 yards in eight plays, but turned the ball over on downs with 3:12 remaining in regulation. The Broncos achieved one first-down with 2:23 remaining, which forced the Ravens to start using the last two of their three remaining timeouts on defense. After the two-minute warning, the Ravens had exhausted all of their team timeouts, however, the Broncos failed to convert a critical third-down run, and were forced to punt, giving the Ravens the football with 1:15 remaining in regulation. Three plays later, and with no timeouts, Flacco launched a 70-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Jacoby Jones
Jacoby Rashi'd Jones (July 11, 1984 – July 14, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). Selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft by the H ...
to tie the game at 35 with 31 seconds remaining to force overtime.
The Ravens won the overtime coin toss. Both teams were forced to punt on their first possessions. The Ravens once again were forced to punt on their next possession, and the Broncos' offense got the football with 3:37 remaining in the first overtime. However, seven plays into the Broncos' second overtime possession, Manning was intercepted again by Graham in Broncos' territory, giving the Ravens the football at the Broncos' 45-yard line with 1:01 remaining in the first overtime. Six plays later, Ravens' placekicker
Justin Tucker
Justin Paul Tucker (born November 21, 1989) is an American professional football kicker. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012, spending 13 seasons with the ...
nailed a game-winning 47-yard field early in the second overtime.
Broncos lost and in 2013, 2014 and 2015 will have division titles
Records and milestones
Numerous individual, franchise and league records and milestones were either tied, reached or broken during the season:
Team
* Week 6: The Broncos' rally from a 24–0 halftime deficit during the team's Week 6 win over the
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers were a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Chargers played in San Diego, California from 1961 until 2016, before relocating back to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the franch ...
tied the largest comeback in
Monday Night Football
''Monday Night Football'' (often abbreviated as ''MNF'') is the branding used for broadcasts of National Football League (NFL) games that air on Monday nights. It originally ran on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from 1970 NFL season, 1970 t ...
history. The 35 points scored after halftime tied the highest number of points that the Broncos scored in the second half,
and also marked the first time in
NFL
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...
history that a team won a game by double digits after trailing by at least 24 points at halftime.
* Season: The Broncos set a franchise record for scoring 30 or more points in 11 games, which was surpassed during the
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
season.
Peyton Manning
* Week 1: Became the third
quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...
in
NFL
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...
history to achieve 400 career touchdown passes (joining
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine Marino Jr. ( ; born September 15, 1961) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He played college f ...
and
Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre ( ; born October 10, 1969) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons, primarily with the Green Bay Packers. Favre had 321 cons ...
), as well as the fastest quarterback to achieve that feat.
* Week 3: Became the NFL's all-time leader in 300-yard passing games.
* Week 8: Set a new personal record for consecutive 300-yard passing games.
* Week 9: Surpassed Dan Marino for the NFL's all-time lead in game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime.
* Week 11: Surpassed Dan Marino for second-place on the NFL's all-time list for
touchdown passes.
* Week 12: Surpassed
John Elway
John Albert Elway Jr. (born June 28, 1960) is an American former professional football quarterback who spent his entire 16-year career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Following his playing career, he then spent 1 ...
for second-place on the NFL's all-time list for
regular-season wins by a quarterback.
* Week 13: Surpassed Dan Marino for second-place on the
NFL's all-time pass completions list and set a franchise record for touchdown passes in a single season,
which Manning surpassed in
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
.
* Week 14: Became the second quarterback in NFL history to achieve 5,000 career pass completions (joining Brett Favre), as well as the fastest quarterback to achieve that feat. He also achieved his NFL-record 12th season with at least 10 wins during a regular season.
* Week 17: Set a new single-season franchise record for pass completions;
surpassed Brett Favre on the NFL's all-time list for games with three or more touchdown passes and set a new NFL record with a .707 pass completion percentage in games played during the month of December.
* Overall, Manning set new Broncos' single-season franchise records in pass completion percentage (.686), pass completions (400),
passer rating
Passer rating (also known as passing efficiency in college football) is a measure of the performance of passers, primarily quarterbacks, in gridiron football. There are two formulas currently in use: one used by both the National Football Leagu ...
(105.9), passing yardage (4,659) and touchdown passes (37),
the latter four of which Manning surpassed in
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
.
He was also named to the
AFC Pro Bowl for the 12th time in his career, the most by a quarterback in NFL history.
Other players
*
Britton Colquitt
Britton Douglas Colquitt (born March 20, 1985) is an American former professional American football, football Punter (gridiron football), punter in the National Football League (NFL). He was originally signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafte ...
: Set a new single-season franchise record for net punting, with an average of 42.1 net yards per punt. Colquitt surpassed his own record that he previously set during the
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
season.
*
Chris Harris, Jr.: During the team's Week 15 win over the
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...
, Harris returned a 98-yard interception for a touchdown, which, at the time, set a new record for the longest interception return in Broncos' franchise history,
until
Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib (born February 13, 1986) is an American former professional football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Kansas, where he received unanimous All-American honor ...
surpassed that record with a 103-yard return in
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
.
*
Trindon Holliday:
** Week 9: 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown set a new record for the longest play in Broncos' franchise history,
which Holliday tied in .
**
Divisional playoffs: 90-yard punt return for a touchdown set a new record for the longest punt return in
NFL
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...
playoff history, which was also the first punt return for a touchdown in Broncos' postseason history; became the first player in NFL history to return both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in a playoff game.
*
Von Miller
Vonnie B'VSean Miller (born March 26, 1989) is an American professional American football, football linebacker. Miller played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies football, Texas A&M Aggies, where he earned consensus College Football All-A ...
: Set a new Broncos' franchise record for
quarterback sack
In gridiron football, a sack occurs when the quarterback (or another offensive player acting as a passer) is tackle (football move), tackled behind the line of scrimmage before throwing a forward pass, when the quarterback is tackled behind the l ...
s in a single season, during the team's Week 16 win over the
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. The Browns compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team is named after ...
.
Miller finished the season with 18.5 sacks.
*
Mitch Unrein: Became the first defensive lineman in Broncos' franchise history to catch a touchdown pass, during the team's Week 13 win over the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...
.
Awards and honors
Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections
Seven Broncos were elected to the
2013 Pro Bowl
The 2013 Pro Bowl was the National Football League (NFL)'s sixty-third annual all-star game which featured players from the 2012 season. It took place at 2:30 pm Hawaii–Aleutian Time ( UTC−10:00; 7:30 pm Eastern Time) on Sunday, Ja ...
.
Cornerback
A cornerback (CB) is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in gridiron football. Cornerbacks cover Wide receiver, receivers most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such Play from scrimmage, offensive running plays as sweep ...
Champ Bailey
Roland "Champ" Bailey Jr. (born June 22, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he earned consensus All-Ame ...
,
quarterback
The quarterback (QB) is a position in gridiron football who are members of the offensive side of the ball and mostly line up directly behind the Lineman (football), offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually consider ...
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the In ...
and
linebacker
Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and typically line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage and so back up the defensive linemen. They play closer to the line ...
Von Miller
Vonnie B'VSean Miller (born March 26, 1989) is an American professional American football, football linebacker. Miller played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies football, Texas A&M Aggies, where he earned consensus College Football All-A ...
were named as starters, while
offensive tackle
Offensive may refer to:
* Offensive (military), type of military operation
* Offensive, the former name of the Dutch political party Socialist Alternative
* Fighting words, spoken words which would have a tendency to cause acts of violence by the ...
Ryan Clady
Ryan Jacob Clady (born September 6, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos, earning con ...
and
defensive end
Defensive end (DE) is a defensive position in the sport of gridiron football.
This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formation (American football), formations over the years have substantially ...
Elvis Dumervil
Elvis Kool Dumervil (born January 19, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, ...
were named as reserves.
Guard
Guard or guards may refer to:
Professional occupations
* Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault
* Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street
* Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning
* Prison gu ...
Zane Beadles
Zane Dae Beadles (born November 19, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a guard for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes and received All-American honors. ...
and
wide receiver
A wide receiver (WR), also referred to as a wideout, and historically known as a split end (SE) or flanker (FL), is an eligible receiver in gridiron football. A key skill position of the offense (American football), offense, WR gets its name ...
Demaryius Thomas
Demaryius Antwon Thomas (December 25, 1987 – December 9, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Denver Broncos. He played college fo ...
were later added to the game as injury replacements. Clady and Miller, however, each withdrew from the game due to injuries.
Clady, Manning and Miller were also voted to the
All-Pro
All-Pro is an honor bestowed upon professional American football players that designates the best player at each position during a given season. All-Pro players are typically selected by press organizations, who select an "All-Pro team," a list t ...
First Team, while Bailey was named to the Second Team.
Other news and notes
* The Broncos switched their primary home jersey color from navy blue to orange. The orange jerseys that served as the team's alternate colored jersey from 2002 to 2011 became the primary home jersey, while the navy blue jerseys that served as the team's primary home jersey from 1997 to 2011 switched to alternate designation. The change was made due to overwhelming popularity with fans, who clamored for the team to return to wearing orange at home, which was the team's predominant home jersey color from 1962 to 1996.
* On April 3, the Broncos, along with each of the other 31 NFL teams, unveiled the team's new uniforms for the 2012 season, with
Nike
Nike often refers to:
* Nike, Inc., a major American producer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment
* Nike (mythology), a Greek goddess who personifies victory
Nike may also refer to:
People
* Nike (name), a surname and feminine giv ...
replacing
Reebok
Reebok International Limited ( ) is an American footwear and clothing brand that is a part of Authentic Brands Group. It was established in England in 1958 as a companion company to J.W. Foster and Sons, a sporting goods company which had bee ...
as the NFL's merchandising dealer. With the exceptions of a few tweaks (including the neckline), the team's uniform designs remained the same as the previous seasons.
* On July 31, former Broncos'
wide receiver
A wide receiver (WR), also referred to as a wideout, and historically known as a split end (SE) or flanker (FL), is an eligible receiver in gridiron football. A key skill position of the offense (American football), offense, WR gets its name ...
Ed McCaffrey
Edward Thomas McCaffrey (born August 17, 1968) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos. He ...
, who played with the Broncos from 1995 to 2003, was announced as the team's new
color commentator
A color commentator or expert commentator is a sports commentator who assists the main (play-by-play) commentator, typically by filling in when play is not in progress. The person may also be referred to as a summariser (outside North America) ...
alongside
play-by-play
In Broadcasting of sports events, sports broadcasting, a sports commentator (also known as a sports announcer or sportscaster) provides a real time (media), real-time live commentary of a game or event, traditionally delivered in the present t ...
announcer
Dave Logan on the team's radio network,
850 KOA (AM). McCaffrey replaced
Brian Griese
Brian David Griese ( ; born March 18, 1975) is an American professional football coach and former player who was the quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). A former quarterback in the NFL, he play ...
, the station's color commentator for the previous two seasons, who took on expanded duties with
ESPN
ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...
's
college football
College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
coverage.
* The Broncos set a new single-season franchise record for home attendance with 613,062 fans, surpassing the previous record of 612,893 that was set in
2007
2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year.
Events
January
* January 1
**Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
.
Notes
References
External links
*
The Denver Post – Complete Broncos Coverage2012 Denver Broncos at ESPN
{{2012 NFL season by team
Denver
Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...
Denver Broncos seasons
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...
AFC West championship seasons