The 1989 Divisional Round vs. Bills

Lore & Background

The Broncos began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and joined the NFL as part of the merger in 1970. They were barely competitive during their 10-year run in the AFL and their first three years in the NFL. They did not have a winning season until 1973 and qualified for their first playoffs in 1977, eventually advancing to Super Bowl XII that season. From 1973 to 2016, the Broncos suffered only eleven losing seasons and won 3 Super Bowls. They have won eight AFC Championships and three Super Bowl championships (XXXII, XXXIII, 50).

Reader's Guide

The Broncos are currently owned by a syndicate headed by former Walmart chairman Rob Walton and current Walmart chairman Greg Penner. Since 2001, the Broncos have played their regular season home games at Empower Field at Mile High; Denver previously played its home games at Mile High Stadium from its inception in 1960 through the 2000 season. The team's history includes the Bob Howsam/Gerald Phipps era (1960–1980), the Edgar Kaiser/Pat Bowlen era (1981–2022), the Dan Reeves years (1981–1992), and the Mike Shanahan years (1995–2008).

Did You Know?

• The Broncos won the first-ever AFL game over the Boston Patriots 13–10 on September 9, 1960.
• John Elway retired following the 1998 season after leading the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl victories.