Broncos 50th season Top 10: Openers

During the Broncos’ 50th season, The Gazette will take a look back at some of the most memorable moments, players, games and plays over the team’s history, counting down a top 10 list every week during the season.

Today: 10 most memorable opening-day games

10. 1977: Broncos 7, St. Louis Cardinals 0

A third-quarter touchdown by Otis Armstrong holds up as the Broncos shut out St. Louis despite 221 passing yards from Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart.

9. 2004: Broncos 34, Kansas City 24

People don’t remember Quentin Griffin’s big game. But nobody seems to have forgotten Jake Plummer’s left-handed interception.

8. 1969: Broncos 35, Boston Patriots 7

The Broncos’ first regular-season game at Mile High Stadium ended how many other Sunday afternoons at the old stadium did: with a win.

7. 2000: St. Louis Rams 41, Broncos 36

Not all memorable games are wins. The quarterbacks combine for almost 750 yards in a game that thrilled a “Monday Night Football” audience.

6. 1983: Broncos 14, Pittsburgh 10

John Elway’s first game. He was awful (1-of-8, 14 yards), as was Steve DeBerg (35 yards), but somehow the Broncos won.

5. 1992: Broncos 17, Los Angeles Raiders 13

Elway leads a seven-play, 85-yard drive and Reggie Rivers scores a 1-yard touchdown with 55 seconds left to beat their rivals.

4. 1986: Broncos 38, Los Angeles Raiders 36

Elway not only catches a touchdown (the only time in his career) but he leads a fourth-quarter comeback, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass to Gene Lang.

3. 2007: Broncos 15, Buffalo 14

Toro! Toro! Denver’s field-goal team sprints on the field, barely gets the snap off before time retires, and Jason Elam drills the game-winning field goal.

2. 2001: Broncos 31, New York Giants 20

The first game at Invesco becomes better known first for receiver Ed McCaffrey’s gruesome leg injury, then for being the final game before the 9/11 attacks.

1. 1960: Broncos 13, Boston Patriots 10

OK, literally, many people won’t remember this game. But this might have been the most historic game in team history, because on Sept. 9, 1960, the Broncos and Patriots kicked off an entire league. In the first game in AFL history, Denver squeaked out a victory.