Photos: The most memorable moments against each opponent on the Broncos’ 2024 schedule
Take a look at the Denver Broncos' 2024 schedule, as seen through a historical lens with these photos from several of the best games in franchise history.
In their 1985 season finale at Seattle's Kingdome, the Broncos rallied from a 17-0 first-half deficit and completed a fourth-quarterback comeback in thrilling fashion over the then-division-rival Seahawks. Elway threw for a career-high 432 yards, and Rich Karlis hit a 43-yard go-ahead field goal with less than a minute left. The Seahawks marched down the field and had a chance to send the game to overtime, but their 52-yard field goal hit the right upright as time expired.
(AP Photo)
In one of the most electric moments in playoff history, the Broncos got Mile High magic in a massive moment. On the first play of overtime in a 2011 wild-card matchup with the Steelers (favored by more than a touchdown in Denver), quarterback Tim Tebow found wide receiver Demaryius Thomas over the middle for an 80-yard touchdown to win the game. (Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos)
After joining the Broncos as a free agent in the 2004 offseason, future Pro Football Hall of Fame safety John Lynch made an emotional return to Tampa Bay for the first time as an opponent of his previous team. In a defensive battle, Lynch's play proved critical, as he made seven tackles (including two for loss) and broke up one pass.
Although the Jets would go on to become the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl later this season, the Denver Broncos proved to be more challenging an opponent than quarterback Joe Namath and the Jets expected. Denver forced the future Hall of Famer into five interceptions in this 1968 matchup. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
To cap the Broncos' incredible 1977 season, Denver reversed its fortunes against an AFC West rival that had previously had their number. The Broncos defended their home turf on Jan. 1, 1978 in the AFC Championship by beating the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Ring of Fame cornerback Louis Wright had one of his finest games and provided perhaps the most amazing finish in the Broncos-Chargers series history in this 1985 game. Wright, who picked off quarterback Dan Fouts once during the game, ended the game by returning a blocked field goal for a touchdown in overtime.
In this Dec. 3, 2000 game at the Superdome in New Orleans, running back Mike Anderson set a single-game franchise record with 251 rushing yards, which remains the best mark in Broncos history to this day.
After topping the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, Denver hosted Carolina for a rematch to start the 2016 season. It was a physical battle and a thrilling one, as the Broncos rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter. The Panthers narrowly missed a 50-yard field goal with just seconds remaining, as the Broncos escaped with the win. Photo by Gabriel Christus
In eight road games against the Ravens, the Broncos have only won once. In this Dec. 16, 2012 matchup, the Broncos won 34-17, in no small part thanks to running back Knowshon Moreno, pictured here hurdling Ed Reed. Moreno rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on the day.
In the only playoff matchup between the Broncos and Chiefs, Denver earned a massive road victory at Arrowhead as part of their "Revenge Tour" leading to Super Bowl XXXII. Behind 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Terrell Davis, the Broncos punched their ticket to the 1997 AFC Championship.
In another of his patented comebacks, John Elway led the Broncos back from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit in 1994. Elway threw for 109 yards and accounted for two touchdowns on the two fourth-quarter scoring drives to complete the comeback.
The "No-Fly Zone" made its mark en route to a Super Bowl 50 championship season in 2015, and one of its quintessential moments was Chris Harris Jr.'s fourth quarter pick-six against the Raiders at O.Co Coliseum on October 11, 2015. (Photo: © Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
One of the Broncos' most-famous playoff moments, yet again against the Browns, came just a year after "The Drive." This time in the friendly confines at Mile High Stadium, the Broncos forced a crucial fumble to prevent a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes of the 1987 AFC Championship Game. Denver recovered the fumble to clinch another trip to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
On Sept. 7, 2014, Peyton Manning helped lead the Broncos to a victory over his former team, the Indianapolis Colts, to open the season. By doing so, Manning became just the second quarterback to defeat all 32 teams during his playing career. Photo by Gabriel Christus
In his first season as a Bronco, Peyton Manning helped engineer a massive comeback against the Chargers on the road on Oct. 15, 2012. Denver had fallen behind 24-0 at halftime, but Manning threw for three second-half touchdowns and the Broncos forced turnovers on five of the Chargers' six second-half possessions. The game kick-started an 11-0 run to end the regular-season.
On Sept. 13, 2009, wide receiver Brandon Stokley secured one of the most unlikely game-winning plays in the waning moments of the Broncos' season opener in Cincinnati. With about 30 seconds left and down just a point, the Broncos started their drive at their own 13-yard line. On second down, Kyle Orton's pass was deflected — right to Stokley, who sprinted 87 yards for the touchdown as play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson provided the memorable call on CBS. It was the longest game-winning reception in the final minute of regulation in NFL history.
On Dec. 7, 2003, running back Clinton Portis had a night for the ages against the Chiefs at home. In addition to rushing for 218 yards, Portis ran for five touchdowns — a franchise record that still stands. To cap the effort, Portis sported a "Heavyweight Champion" belt on the sideline.
