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Super Bowl power rankings: Which winner is the greatest?

By Cody Williams

St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner looks to make pass in a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner looks to make pass in a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000 at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images) /
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TOPSHOT – Denver Bronco C. J. Anderson (L) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California February 7, 2016.The Broncos won 24-10. / AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Denver Bronco C. J. Anderson (L) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California February 7, 2016.The Broncos won 24-10. / AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) /

45. 2015 Denver Broncos (SB 50)

The Broncos rode Peyton Manning’s final season to a Super Bowl title, the third in franchise history. Denver went 12-4 throughout a turmoil-filled regular season which included the benching of Manning for Brock Osweiler, only to go back to Manning in Week 17 and into the postseason.

Head coach Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips had one of the finest defenses to even charge at this challenge, led by Von Miller, T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., Brandon Marshall, Malik Jackson and others. Denver was able to defeat both Ben Roehtlisberger and Tom Brady before throttling MVP Cam Newton and the 15-1 Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

So why aren’t the Broncos higher on this list? Osweiler was average and Manning had the worst season of his career, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Additionally, the rest of the offense was average at best, making Denver very one-dimensional.

Still, the Broncos had one of the best defenses of all time, getting to the promised land. Denver has not been back to the postseason since, but its fans will always have this shining moment.

Next: No. 44

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