Through the Years
Through the Years: Broncos vs. Titans
The Broncos' history with the Tennessee Titans go back to the franchise's inception in 1960, when the Titans were known as the Houston Oilers. (photos from Broncos archive unless noted)
Ring of Fame halfback and kicker Gene Mingo ran for 48 yards, caught five passes for 67 yards and kicked two field goals and an extra point in the Broncos' win over an AFL rival in the team's third season.
Ring of Fame safety Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin had two of the Broncos' five interceptions on Houston quarterback George Blanda. The Broncos fell behind early with a 14-7 deficit at halftime but rallied with a 14-point third quarter.
Future Broncos QB Charley Johnson threw for three touchdowns against Denver and running back Joe Dawkins ran for 71 yards as the Broncos fell, 31-21.
Defensive lineman Paul Smith gives chase to an Oilers quarterback in an undetermined game.
Defensive tackle Barney Chavous gives chase to Oilers running back Willie Rodgers in a 1974 games at Mile High Stadium.
In a rough defensive battle, Craig Morton was the only quarterback to throw a touchdown, but the Oilers defense reached him for five sacks and forced him into one interception as the Broncos fell in the Wild Card Round at the Astrodome.
John Elway threw for three touchdowns and Sammy Winder ran for one as the Broncos trounced the Oilers in spite of three turnovers.
Mike Harden had one of the Broncos' four sacks on second-year Oilers QB Warren Moon, who struggled to complete eight-of-17 passes for one touchdown. Moon was replaced by Mike Moroski midway through the game.
In one of the games played with replacement players during the 1987 NFLPA strike, the Broncos were defeated by 30 points.
The Broncos' postseason route to their third Super Bowl appearance began with a rematch against the Oilers, who had beaten them earlier in the season during the replacement players' game.
Oilers QB Warren Moon threw for 301 yards and two interceptions as Houston rolled over the Broncos at the Astrodome.
With 2:07 remaining, no timeouts and trailing by one point in the 1991 AFC Divisional Game, the Broncos were in a tough spot when they started their final possession at their own 2-yard line. But John Elway marched Denver into field goal range with 50 seconds left after a 44-yard completion to Vance Johnson. After a couple run plays, the Broncos were ready to try for the go-ahead kick. The snap was low but backup QB Gary Kubiak got it right before David Treadwell knocked it through, completing what is now known as "The Drive II."
The Broncos came out victorious in another duel between John Elway and Warren Moon. But it was Gaston Green and Reggie Rivers' two rushing touchdowns that pushed Denver over the top.
In the Broncos' first meeting with the Titans after they moved to Tennessee and changed their name, RB Reuben Droughns ran for 91 yards and scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing). QB Jake Plummer threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns, as well.
WR Brandon Marshall ran in a 41-yard reception for a score as the Broncos won, 34-20. The Broncos jumped out early with a 48-yard touchdown reception by Brandon Stokley and Glenn Martinez returned a punt 80 yards in the first quarter.
After a go-ahead touchdown pass by Kyle Orton put the Broncos up 23-20 with 1:38 left on the clock, the Broncos forced a muffed kick return, which was dislodged by S David Bruton Jr. The Broncos recovered, took some time off the clock and kicked a field goal before the defense held in the final moments.
The Titans defeated the Broncos with a fourth-quarter 4-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck.
Behind Peyton Manning's 397 passing yards and four touchdowns, the Broncos easily ran away with a victory over the Titans, who mustered less than half of the Broncos' offensive output and added two turnovers.
