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Through the Years

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Throwing it back: Photos of the Broncos' Christmas Eve win in their first playoff game

Flip through photos from the Broncos' first playoff game, a 1977 Christmas Eve game vs. the Steelers.

Denver's Mile High Stadium, with the Rocky Mountains in the background, Dec. 24, 1977 is packed with fans prior to the AFC playoff game between the host Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP Photo)
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Denver's Mile High Stadium, with the Rocky Mountains in the background, Dec. 24, 1977 is packed with fans prior to the AFC playoff game between the host Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP Photo)

Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton (7) sets up to pass during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton (7) sets up to pass during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Denver Broncos running back Rob Lytle (41) dives into the end zone to score in first quarter of the AFC playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mile High Stadium, Dec. 24, 1977 in Denver. (AP Photo)
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Denver Broncos running back Rob Lytle (41) dives into the end zone to score in first quarter of the AFC playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mile High Stadium, Dec. 24, 1977 in Denver. (AP Photo)

Anonymous/AP1977
Broncos running back Rob Lytle (41) is hoisted in jubilation by teammate Claudie Minor after Lytle scored against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter of the AFC playoff game on Dec. 24, 1977 in Denver. (AP Photo)
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Broncos running back Rob Lytle (41) is hoisted in jubilation by teammate Claudie Minor after Lytle scored against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter of the AFC playoff game on Dec. 24, 1977 in Denver. (AP Photo)

Anonymous
Denver Broncos running back Rob Lyle (41) runs upfield during the 1977 AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Denver Broncos running back Rob Lyle (41) runs upfield during the 1977 AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Denver Broncos fullback Jon Keyworth (32) runs upfield during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Denver Broncos fullback Jon Keyworth (32) runs upfield during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Denver Broncos running back Otis Armstrong (24) goes into end zone on one leg as he scores against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC playoff game in Denver on Dec. 24, 1977. (AP Photo)
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Denver Broncos running back Otis Armstrong (24) goes into end zone on one leg as he scores against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC playoff game in Denver on Dec. 24, 1977. (AP Photo)

Anonymous/AP1977
Denver Broncos wide receiver Rick Upchurch (80) returns a kick during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Denver Broncos wide receiver Rick Upchurch (80) returns a kick during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Denver Broncos defensive end Lyle Alzado (77), and linebackers Bob Swenson (51) and Randy Gradishar (53) stops Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Randy Grossman (84) during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Denver Broncos defensive end Lyle Alzado (77), and linebackers Bob Swenson (51) and Randy Gradishar (53) stops Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Randy Grossman (84) during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) is hit as he runs upfield during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Denver Broncos on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) is hit as he runs upfield during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Denver Broncos on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
An avid Denver Broncos fan sporting Broncos stickers on his glasses cheers prior to the AFC playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver on Dec. 24, 1977. (AP Photo)
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An avid Denver Broncos fan sporting Broncos stickers on his glasses cheers prior to the AFC playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Denver on Dec. 24, 1977. (AP Photo)

Denver Broncos head coach Red Miller yells on the sideline during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Denver Broncos head coach Red Miller yells on the sideline during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton (7) sets up to pass during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton (7) sets up to pass during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) is met by Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar (53) during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) is met by Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar (53) during an 1977 AFC Divisional NFL playoff on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Rizzo (59) runs upfield with a turnover that was called back during the 1977 AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
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Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Rizzo (59) runs upfield with a turnover that was called back during the 1977 AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 24, 1977. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) clenches his mouth protector in his teeth as he watches his Steelers go down in defeat to Denver Broncos on Dec. 24, 1977. Broncos won 34-21 in their first playoff game victory. (AP Photo)
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) clenches his mouth protector in his teeth as he watches his Steelers go down in defeat to Denver Broncos on Dec. 24, 1977. Broncos won 34-21 in their first playoff game victory. (AP Photo)

Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton greets Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw after the AFC playoff game on Dec. 24, 1977 at Denver's Mile High Stadium. Morton and the Broncos beat the Steelers, 34-21, to win their first playoff game in franchise history. (AP Photo)
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Denver Broncos quarterback Craig Morton greets Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw after the AFC playoff game on Dec. 24, 1977 at Denver's Mile High Stadium. Morton and the Broncos beat the Steelers, 34-21, to win their first playoff game in franchise history. (AP Photo)

Anonymous/1977 AP
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