Skip to main content
Advertising

Through the Years

Presented by

#TBT: Looking back on the Broncos' 1977 AFC Championship Game vs. Oakland

On this Throwback Thursday, take a glance through photos of the Broncos' first AFC Championship victory to send them to Super Bowl XII.

During warmups before the 1977 AFC Championship Game.
1 / 27

During warmups before the 1977 AFC Championship Game.

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.
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.

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)
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)

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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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)

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)
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
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)
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
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)
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)

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)
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)

Raiders tight end Dave Casper makes an acrobatic catch for a touchdown as Tom Jackson defends.
17 / 27

Raiders tight end Dave Casper makes an acrobatic catch for a touchdown as Tom Jackson defends.

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)
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
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)
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
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)
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)

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)
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)

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)
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)

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)
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)

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)
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
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)
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)

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)
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)

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)
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)

Advertising
This Ad will close in 3
Advertising

Related

gallery

Photos: Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar's career through the years

Flip through photos documenting the career of Randy Gradishar, the Broncos' newest Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee who was one of the franchise's best players and a leader on one of the best defenses of all time.
gallery

From the archive: Pro Football Hall of Fame honoree Steve 'Greek' Antonopulos' career with the Broncos in photos

In recognition of retired longtime athletic trainer Steve "Greek" Antonopulos being named a Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence recipient, flip back through Broncos history with photos from his career leading the team's training and medical staff.
gallery

Photos: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 inductee Randy Gradishar's career through the years

Flip through photos documenting the career of Randy Gradishar, the Broncos' newest Pro Football Hall of Fame electee who was one of the franchise's best players and a leader on one of the best defenses of all time.
gallery

From the archive: An extensive look back at Super Bowl 50 in photos

Flip through the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 victory over the Panthers with photos from team archives and the Associated Press.
gallery

Throwing it Back: Photos from the Broncos' Super Bowl XXXII win

On Jan. 25, 1998, the Broncos at long last won their first Super Bowl, beating Brett Favre and the Packers in a thrilling 31-24 victory.
gallery

From the archive: The best photos from the Broncos' Super Bowl XXXII win over the Packers

Look back through the Broncos' first Super Bowl victory with these photos from the Broncos' photo archive and the Associated Press.
gallery

From the archive: Memorable moments from the Broncos' season openers through the years

Re-live some of the biggest games in Broncos history as we highlight more than a dozen Week 1 wins that left a lasting impact on the franchise.
gallery

Photos: Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior finalist Randy Gradishar's career through the years

Flip through photos documenting the career of Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Senior finalist Randy Gradishar, who was one of the franchise's best players and a leader on one of the best defenses of all time.
gallery

Looking Sharpe: Rarely seen photos of Shannon Sharpe's time in Denver

Relive Shannon Sharpe's prolific career with the Broncos — and several of his memorable moments after his career ended — with these rarely seen photos.
gallery

From the archive: Rarely seen photos of Randy Gradishar from his Denver Broncos career

During his NFL career, Randy Gradishar helped power the famous "Orange Crush" defense and was one of the most dominant tacklers the game has seen. Relive moments from that time with these photos from the Denver Broncos photo archive.
gallery

From the archive: Broncos picks' NFL Draft fashion through the years

Over the years, Broncos draft picks have donned some of their finest threads for their draft day and when they first arrive at team headquarters. With these photos, check out just how much players' fashion sense has changed since the turn of the millenium.
gallery

Peyton Manning's Broncos career in photos

Flip back through photos of Peyton Manning's Broncos career, which culminated in a victory in Super Bowl 50.
Advertising