NFL: The Top 30 teams of the modern era

1. 1997-98 Denver Broncos

Time was growing short for John Elway and the Denver Broncos. After a long career that had seen him do everything except lead his team to a Super Bowl victory, the prolific quarterback was nearing the end of his career.

However, when Elway helped convince Mike Shanahan take the head coaching position with the Broncos prior to the 1995 season, the Broncos were on their way. Shanahan helped contour the Denver offense to fit Elway’s talents and when the Broncos added superstar running back Terrell Davis, they were a nearly unstoppable force.

The Broncos made it to the Super Bowl following the 1997 season after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, but they were big underdogs in the Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers.

However, Elway ran for a key first down in the late stages of the fourth quarter and the Denver defense shut down Brett Favre on his last possession, and Elway finally had his Super Bowl. The quarterback closed out his career by repeating the championship the following year against the Atlanta Falcons.

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