ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos are throwing it back to 1977 this weekend, honoring the season and team that began a long history of excellence for Denver football.
Posting a 12-2 record, the 1977 Broncos achieved the team's best season up to that point, advancing to the playoffs, the AFC Championship game and the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
Here is a closer look at some of the top plays from the historic 1977 season.
Jim Turner scores touchdown after fake field goal
In a matchup with the Raiders on Oct. 16, 1977, kicker Jim Turner took the field for a fake field goal that turned into a 25-yard touchdown. Quarterback Norris Weese threw the pass to the wide-open Ring of Famer to complete one of the most memorable plays in Broncos' history.
Denver would go on to defeat the Raiders 30-7, bettering their winning record to 5-0.
Rick Upchurch's 87-yard punt return for a touchdown
On Nov. 6, 1977, the Broncos set the tone early in a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Late in the first quarter, Ring of Fame wide receiver and return specialist Rick Upchurch fielded a punt at the 13-yard line and returned it for an 87-yard touchdown. The touchdown extended the Broncos' lead to 14-0, and the team never looked back as Denver defeated the Steelers 21-7 to improve its record to 7-1.
Tom Jackson's 73-yard pick-six
The Broncos continued their winning streak for the next two games and entered an AFC matchup at Mile High Stadium with the Baltimore Colts at 9-1. As the Colts also entered the game 9-1, the Nov. 27 game was set to be a good test for both teams. Denver's Orange Crush defense continued its dominant season, recording three interceptions to help secure the 27-13 victory. Ring of Fame linebacker Tom Jackson recorded one of Denver's interceptions, returning the ball for a 73-yard pick-six.
Haven Moses scores 74-yard touchdown in AFC Championship Game
The Broncos went on to make their first playoff appearance in franchise history and defeated the Steelers 34-21 to advance to the team's first AFC Championship Game. The team took on the Oakland Raiders, who handed the Broncos one of their two losses earlier in the season, on New Year's Day in 1978. Wide receiver Haven Moses made an impact early, scoring a 74-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Craig Morton in the first quarter. Moses would go on to score a second touchdown in the fourth quarter to help clinch the 20-17 victory.
While the Broncos would eventually fall short in Super Bowl XII, the historic 1977 season laid the foundation for a franchise that has now appeared in eight Super Bowls and earned three Super Bowl victories. The 1977 team boasted 10 Ring of Fame players and Ring of Fame head coach Red Miller.
As the Broncos take on the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday during Alumni Weekend, they will look to honor the 1977 team that established the standard in Denver.
