History shows Broncos face extremely tough task of repeating 2015 success
The Denver Broncos had a season that will go down as one of a kind forever. It’s impossible to think we’ll see a team like this again.
Yes, they won the Super Bowl with extremely mediocre play from quarterbacks. They also had the best combination of an elite pass-rush and lock-down secondary out of any American football defense in history.
But those aren’t the exact reasons why 2015 will go down as a season we’ll never see from another team again, but rather because of how the Broncos won a large majority of their games, where some clear luck was needed.
BSN Denver’s Ken Pomponio noted all of the luck the Broncos got to reach Super Bowl 50 before taking down MVP Cam Newton and his Carolina Panthers in the championship game, as the Broncos “were the 14th team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to win nine or more regular-season/playoff games by seven points or fewer.”
Here’s how Pomponio broke it all down:
“-Barely half (seven teams) posted winning records the following season
-Fewer than half (six) made the postseason
-Only one (the 2004 Patriots) made it to the Super Bowl
-And after all won at least nine “close” games the previous season, only three of those 13 teams won six or more such games the ensuing year with the contingent as whole winning an average of 4.3 close games while losing an average of 3.5″
The Broncos obviously won’t be able to repeat that success. A recap of the lucky bounces that helped them get to the top. (A quick reminder that all great teams need a lot of luck to win championships.)
-Week 1, Joe Flacco’s game-winning touchdown pass in the endzone falls out of receiver’s hands, intercepted by Darian Stewart. Steve Smith also dropped an easy touchdown pass before that play.
-Week 2, Jamaal Charles fumbles in the last minute of regulation, Bradley Roby returns it for a touchdown.
-Week 4, Teddy Bridgewater loses fumble, recovered by Von Miller with his team on the verge of field-goal range to force overtime.
-Week 5, Chris Harris Jr. picks of Derek Carr in Broncos territory with Raiders on the cusp of going up in the fourth quarter.
-Week 6, Josh McCown throws a last-minute interception with Browns about to set up game-winning field goal in final minute. Broncos win in overtime.
-Week 11, Jay Cutler’s fourth-quarter interception and failed Bears’ two-point conversion helps Broncos hold on.
-Week 12, Chris Harper’s punt return fumble gives Broncos short field against Patriots in fourth quarter whilst trailing by 14. They use the spark to come back and win in overtime.
-Week 16, a high snap over A.J. McCarron’s head in overtime seals Broncos win
-Week 17, Philip Rivers’ late fourth-quarter interception helps Broncos set up game-winning touchdown.
-AFC Divisional, a Steelers fumble in Denver territory halfway through the fourth allows Broncos to march on eventual game-winning touchdown drive.
-AFC Championship, Stephen Gostkowski’s missed extra point early in the first quarter wounds up being the difference. Patriots can’t capitalize on last-minute two-point conversion.
-Super Bowl 50, Cam Newton turns it over three times, including a fumble in the final minutes to set up C.J. Anderson’s game-clinching touchdown.
There you have it. The Broncos relied heavily on last-minute turnovers to win games. Give major credit to their defense, but that simply won’t happen so much in one season again.
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