1998 Denver Broncos season

The 1998 Denver Broncos season was the franchise's 29th season in the National Football League, and the 39th overall. The Broncos entered the season as the defending Super Bowl champions and looked to become only the fifth team in league history to win consecutive Super Bowls.

1998 Denver Broncos season
Head coachMike Shanahan
General managerJohn Beake
OwnerPat Bowlen
Home fieldMile High Stadium
Results
Record14–2
Division place1st AFC West
Playoff finishWon AFC Divisional Playoff (Dolphins) 38–3
Won AFC Championship Game (Jets) 23–10
Won Super Bowl XXXIII (2) (Falcons) 34–19

Finishing with a record of 12-4 the previous year, the Broncos improved on that mark by two wins and tied the Atlanta Falcons for second best record at 14-2. They won their first thirteen games, the best start since the unbeaten 1972 Dolphins.

After sixteen seasons, John Elway retired following the Super Bowl. He finished his Broncos career with 51,475 yards passing and 300 touchdowns. Until Peyton Manning won in Super Bowl 50, Elway stood as the only Broncos quarterback to win a Super Bowl. However, Elway even played a large role in that victory as the general manager and president of football operations for the Broncos.

Running back Terrell Davis set a team single season rushing mark. His final total was 2,008 yards, making him only the fourth player to rush for over 2,000 yards in single season.

In 2007, the 1998 Broncos were ranked as the 12th greatest Super Bowl champions on the NFL Network's documentary series America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions.

Offseason

NFL draft
Main article: 1998 NFL Draft
1998 Denver Broncos draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 30 Marcus Nash  Wide receiver Tennessee
2 61 Eric Brown  Safety Mississippi State
3 91 Brian Griese *  Quarterback Michigan
4 122 Curtis Alexander  Running back Alabama
5 153 Chris Howard  Running back Michigan
7 200 Trey Teague  Center Tennessee
7 219 Nate Wayne  Linebacker Ole Miss
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff
1998 Denver Broncos staff
Front office
  • President and Chief Executive Officer – Pat Bowlen
  • Vice President of Business Operations – Joe Ellis (hired Sep 1, 1998)
  • General Manager – John Beake
  • Director of Player Personnel – Neal Dahlen
  • Director of Pro Scouting – Jack Elway
  • Director of College Scouting – Ted Sundquist
  • College Scouting Consultant – Jerry Frei

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Rich Tuten
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Greg Saporta
  • Strength Assistant – Barney Chavous

Roster
1998 Denver Broncos roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad



Rookies in italics

[1]

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result TV Time(MT) TV Announcers Game site Record Attendance
1September 7New England PatriotsW 27–21ABC 6:20pmAl Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, Boomer Esiason, and Lesley VisserMile High Stadium1–0
74,745
2September 13Dallas CowboysW 42–23FOX 2:15pmPat Summerall, John Madden, and Pam OliverMile High Stadium2–0
75,013
3September 20at Oakland RaidersW 34–17CBS 2:15pmGreg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen KeteyianOakland–Alameda County Coliseum3–0
56,578
4September 27at Washington RedskinsW 38–16CBS 11:00amVerne Lundquist, Randy Cross, and Michele TafoyaFedExField4–0
71,880
5October 4Philadelphia EaglesW 41–16FOX 2:15pmPat Summerall, John Madden, and Don TollefsonMile High Stadium5–0
73,218
6October 11at Seattle SeahawksW 21–16CBS 2:15pmVerne Lundquist, Randy Cross, and Michele TafoyaKingdome6–0
66,258
7Bye
8October 25Jacksonville JaguarsW 37–24CBS 2:15pmGreg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen KeteyianMile High Stadium7–0
75,217
9November 1at Cincinnati BengalsW 33–26CBS 11:00amGreg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen KeteyianCinergy Field8–0
59,974
10November 8San Diego ChargersW 27–10CBS 2:15pmKevin Harlan & Sam WycheMile High Stadium9–0
74,925
11November 16at Kansas City ChiefsW 30–7ABC 6:20pmAl Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, Boomer Esiason, and Lesley VisserArrowhead Stadium10–0
78,100
12November 22Oakland RaidersW 40–14CBS 2:15pmGreg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen KeteyianMile High Stadium11–0
75,325
13November 29at San Diego ChargersW 31–16ESPN 6:15pmMike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, and Solomon WilcotsQualcomm Stadium12–0
66,532
14December 6Kansas City ChiefsW 35–31CBS 2:15pmGreg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen KeteyianMile High Stadium13–0
74,962
15December 13at New York GiantsL 16–20CBS 11:00amGreg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen KeteyianGiants Stadium13–1
72,336
16December 21at Miami DolphinsL 21–31ABC 6:20pmAl Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, Boomer Esiason, and Lesley VisserPro Player Stadium13–2
74,363
17December 27Seattle SeahawksW 28–21CBS 2:15pmKevin Harlan & Sam WycheMile High Stadium14–2
74,057

Standings
AFC West
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(1) Denver Broncos 1420.875501309W1
Oakland Raiders 880.500288356L1
Seattle Seahawks 880.500372310L1
Kansas City Chiefs 790.438327363W1
San Diego Chargers 5110.313241342L5

Playoffs
Round Date TV Time Opponent Result Game site Record Attendance
Divisional Playoffs January 9, 1999 CBS 2:15 pm MT Miami Dolphins W 38–3 Mile High Stadium 15–2
75,729
AFC Championship January 17, 1999 CBS 2:15 pm MT New York Jets W 23–10 Mile High Stadium 16–2
75,482
Super Bowl XXXIII January 31, 1999 FOX 4:25 pm MT Atlanta Falcons W 34–19 Pro Player Stadium 17–2
74,803

AFC Divisional Game vs Miami Dolphins
AFC Divisional Playoff: Miami Dolphins vs Denver Broncos – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 3 003
Broncos 14 7 31438

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: January 9, 1999
  • Game time: 2:15 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: 29°F, relative humidity 62°F, round (wind) 14 MPH
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian
Game information

AFC Championship Game vs New York Jets
AFC Championship Game: New York Jets at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jets 0 3 7010
Broncos 0 0 20323

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: January 17, 1999
  • Game time: 2:05 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: 37°F, relative humidity 36°F, round (wind) 20 MPH
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian, and Bonnie Bernstein
Game information

Despite a subpar performance from Quarterback John Elway, the Broncos come from a ten-point deficit to score twenty three unanswered points, thanks in large part to the Jets turning the ball over an astonishing six times.

Super Bowl XXXIII: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Super Bowl XXXIII: Denver Broncos vs Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 10 01734
Falcons 3 3 01319

at Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida

  • Date: January 31, 1999
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 74°F, relative humidity 67%, round (wind) 11 MPH
  • TV announcers (Fox): Pat Summerall, John Madden, Ron Pitts, and Bill Maas

The Denver Broncos become the third team in the last 10 years to repeat as Super Bowl champions, along with the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. John Elway was voted Super Bowl MVP.

Season summary
The Denver superfan Barrel Man seen at the regular season opener at Mile High Stadium against New England

The Broncos won their first 13 games of the season. There was much speculation that they might finish 19–0[2][3] and the Broncos were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. However, they were upset by the New York Giants (who would end another attempt at a 19–0 season nine seasons later) in week 15 by a score of 20–16. They finished the regular season 14–2 after losing to the Dolphins in their first encounter with that team since 1985.[4][5]

They finished first in the AFC West and won their divisional playoff game against the Miami Dolphins 38–3 for their first win over the Dolphins since 1968.[4] They then won the AFC Championship over the Bill Parcells coached New York Jets 23–10 after coming back from a 10–0 deficit. Many had expected Denver to play the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl, the team with the number one record that year at 15–1, but the Vikings lost the NFC Championship Game to the Atlanta Falcons in overtime.

The Broncos defeated the Falcons 34–19 in Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway was the Super Bowl MVP and Davis rushed for over 100 yards. It was Elway's last game, and Denver would not reach the Super Bowl again until the 2013 season.

Statistics

Team stats

The Broncos had 3,808 yards passing, sixth in the league. They had 2,468 yards rushing, second in the league and 26 rushing touchdowns, first in the league. They had 6,276 total yards, third best.

They gave up 3,983 passing yards, a low 28 out of 30 in the NFL, but were third in rushing yards given up with 1,287. They gave up 5,270 yards, 12th in the NFL. They scored 501 points, second in the league and gave up 309, eighth fewest in the league.

The team's 14–2 record is currently their best 16-game record in franchise history.

Player stats

Elway threw for 2,806 yards for the season, 22 touchdowns and ten interceptions. Davis rushed for 2,008 yards and 21 touchdowns. Rod Smith had 86 receptions for 1,222 yards and six touchdowns. Ed McCaffrey had 64 receptions for 1,053 yards. Shannon Sharpe had 64 receptions for 768 yards. Jason Elam kicked 23 out of 27 field goals and 58 out of 58 extra points including a 63-yard field goal to tie Tom Dempsey with the longest field goal in NFL history at that time. The record has since been eclipsed by another Denver Bronco (Matt Prater). Steve Atwater, Davis, Elway, Tony Jones, Mark Schlereth, McCaffrey, Tom Nalen, Bill Romanowski, and Sharpe made the Pro Bowl.

Awards and records
  • Terrell Davis, NFL MVP
  • Terrell Davis, Franchise Record, Most Rushing Yards in One Season, 2,008 Yards [6]
  • Terrell Davis, Franchise Record, Most Touchdowns in One Season, 23 Touchdowns [6]
  • John Elway, Super Bowl MVP
  • Jason Elam, tied longest field goal (63 yards)

Milestones
  • Terrell Davis, 1st 2,000-yard rushing season, 2,008 Yards

References
  1. "1998 Denver Broncos starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  2. "Denver eyes 19–0, but there's no rush" in Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 16, 1998
  3. Freeman, Mike; "Chasing Perfection and Taking Questions; Voluble Broncos Are 13–0 and Ready to Talk" in The New York Times, December 9, 1998
  4. Denver Broncos v Miami Dolphins
  5. See History of the NFL's Structure and Formats, Part Two for an explanation of why the Dolphins never played the Broncos between 1986 and 1997.
  6. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 44
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