| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRONCOS | 68 | 72 | 60 | 74 | 0 | 274 |
| OPPONENTS | 45 | 46 | 40 | 17 | 0 | 148 |
1977 Denver Broncos
The 1977 season marked a breakout year and the beginning of a new era of Broncos football — both in team success and on-field aesthetic. This page highlights iconic moments like the AFC Championship Game against the Raiders, the team’s first Super Bowl berth and the rise of the "Orange Crush" defense.
REGULAR-SEASON RECORD: 12-2
1977 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Denver quarterback Craig Morton threw two touchdown passes to Haven Moses as the Broncos defeated the defending NFL Champion Oakland Raiders 20-17 and advanced to their first Super Bowl. Denver controlled the ball for the final 3:08 and gave Red Miller the AFC title in his first year as a head coach. The Denver defense, which was No. 1 against the rush in the NFL during the regular season, held the Raiders to 94 yards on the ground.
HISTORY: 1977 AFC Championship Photos
On this Throwback Thursday, take a glance through photos of the Broncos' first AFC Championship victory to send them to Super Bowl XII.
1 / 27
During warmups before the 1977 AFC Championship Game.
2 / 27
Wide receiver Haven Moses takes a pass from Craig Morton for a long touchdown in the Broncos' win over the Raiders in the AFC Championship.
3 / 27
Jon Keyworth of the Denver Broncos is tackled by a pair of Oakland Raiders but manages to pick up four yards in the first half of the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 1978 in Denver. (AP Photo)
4 / 27
Denver Broncos wide receiver Haven Moses (25) celebrates after scoring on a 74-yard reception during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
5 / 27
Denver Broncos linebacker Tom Jackson (57) and safety Bill Thompson (36) congratulate a teammate during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
6 / 27
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch (21) beats Denver Broncos safety Steve Foley (43) during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
7 / 27
Denver Broncos nose tackle Rubin Carter (68) stops Oakland Raiders running back Mark van Eeghen (30) during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
8 / 27
Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame quarterback Ken Stabler (12) throws a pass while being pressured by Denver Broncos nose tackle Rubin Carter (68) during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
9 / 27
Oakland Raiders running back Mark van Eeghen (30) eludes Denver Broncos linebacker Bob Swenson (51) during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
10 / 27
Oakland Raiders running back Clarence Davis (28) runs upfield during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game against the Denver Broncos on January 1, 1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
11 / 27
Oakland Raiders defensive end Otis Sistrunk (60) and linebacker Willie Hall (39) team up to stop Denver Broncos running back Jon Keyworth (32) during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game on January 1, 1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
12 / 27
The Denver Broncos won the AFC Championship Game against Oakland Raiders in Denver, Jan. 1, 1978 as fans tore down the goal posts to celebrate the occasion. The victory sends the Broncos to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo)
13 / 27
Denver Broncos running back Otis Armstrong (24) runs upfield during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
14 / 27
Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton (7) throws a pass during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
15 / 27
This was the scene on the goal line in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 1, 1978 when Jack Tatum (32) of the Raiders knocked the ball out of the hands of Rob Lytle of the Broncos. Willie Hall (39) of the Raiders picked up the ball and took off but officials ruled it was not a rumble, setting up a Bronco touchdown in their 20-17 victory over Oakland in the AFC Championship game. (AP Photo)
16 / 27
Punter Ray Guy (8) of the Oakland Raiders is hit by John Schultz of the Denver Broncos in the first period of the AFC Championship Game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 1978 in Denver. Officials called it roughing the kicker, giving the ball to Oakland for its drive which put a field goal on the scoreboard. Jim Jensen of Denver is No. 30. (AP Photo)
17 / 27
Raiders tight end Dave Casper makes an acrobatic catch for a touchdown as Tom Jackson defends.
18 / 27
Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton (7) drops back to pass during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
19 / 27
Oakland Raiders running back Mark Van Eeghen (30) runs upfield during a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game against the Denver Broncos on January 1, 1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
20 / 27
Joe Rizzo (59) and Lyle Alzado of the Denver Broncos sack quarterback Ken Stabler of the Oakland raiders for a third quarter loss on Sunday, Jan. 1, 1978 in Denver in the AFC Championship game. (AP Photo)
21 / 27
Punter Ray Guy of the Oakland Raiders gets hit by John Schultz of the Denver Broncos in the first half of the AFC Championship Game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 1978 in Denver. Officials called it roughing the kicker and the Raiders took the ball and marched it down the field for a field goal. But Denver won the game, 20-17. (AP Photo)
22 / 27
Haven Moses of the Denver Broncos holds the ball high as he scores his second touchdown of the 20-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship game, which sends the Broncos to the Super Bowl on Jan. 1, 1978 in Denver. (AP Photo)
23 / 27
Quarterback Craig Morton (7) of the Denver Broncos, who led his team to victory against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Jan. 1, 1978 in Denver in the AFC Championship game, hands off to Otis Armstrong in the second half. Final score was 20-17. (AP Photo)
24 / 27
Denver Broncos linebacker Godwin Turk (55) celebrates after a 1977 AFC Championship NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on January 1,1978. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
25 / 27
Jubilant fans cheer after the Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders in the AFC championship game in Denver, Jan. 1, 1978. The win gives the Broncos the right to go to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo)
26 / 27
This was the scene in the stands in Denver, Jan. 1, 1978 after the Denver Broncos beat the Oakland Raiders, 20-17 in the AFC championship game to win the right to go to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo)
27 / 27
Linebacker Tom Jackson of the Denver Broncos holds up a finger denoting "Number One" as he looks out from the Denver dressing room towards the jubilant fans after the broncos beat the Oakland Raiders in the AFC championship game in Denver, Jan. 1, 1978. The win gives the Broncos the right to go to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo)
This Ad will close in 3
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRONCOS | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| RAIDERS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
The Broncos’ "Orange Crush" defense set a new standard for toughness and teamwork. Their consistency and intensity controlled games, giving Denver the balance it needed to reach its first Super Bowl. The foundation of that season’s success started with the defense.
THROWBACK WALLPAPERS
ADDITIONAL
