The underdog's revenge: How a wild card team broke a 13-game drought
In short: In 1998, the Denver Broncos pulled off one of the most significant upsets in football history. Entering as heavy underdogs against the defending champion Green Bay Packers, they didn't just win a game; they dismantled a decade of failure and a long-standing losing streak for their entire conference.
Before 1998, the Denver Broncos were synonymous with Super Bowl heartbreak. The franchise had suffered four previous losses—Super Bowls XII, XXI, XXII, and XXIV—all of which were characterized by an inability to generate enough points or rushing production to compete. In those four instances, the Broncos were defeated by a combined scoring margin of 163–50. Three of those four losses occurred under the leadership of quarterback John Elway, whose individual brilliance often failed to overcome the team's offensive limitations.
The turning point arrived in 1995 when Mike Shanahan took over as head coach. Having previously served as an offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning San Francisco 49ers, Shanahan overhauled the Broncos' identity. He prioritized a rebuilt running game, selecting Terrell Davis in the 6th round of the 1995 draft. By 1996, the team boasted the league's best offense, and by 1997, they led the NFL in total points scored with 472. This tactical shift allowed them to enter Super Bowl XXXII as a wild card team, a rare feat for a championship winner.
The game itself was a clash of titans. The Packers, led by three-time MVP Brett Favre, were the first team in history to be double-digit favorites and still lose the championship. Despite a migraine that sidelined him for much of the second quarter, running back Terrell Davis became the hero, setting a Super Bowl record with three rushing touchdowns. The Broncos' 31–24 victory not only secured Denver's first title but also snapped a 13-game Super Bowl losing streak for all AFC teams, which had lasted since the 1983 season.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Super Bowl XXXII
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