Super Bowl power rankings: Who’s the best loser?
By John Buhler
45. 1986 Denver Broncos, Super Bowl XXI
The 1986 Denver Broncos finished the regular season with an 11-5 record to win the AFC West. Under fourth-year starting quarterback John Elway’s leadership, the Broncos would play in their second Super Bowl in franchise history. Denver defeated the New England Patriots in the Divisional round and the Cleveland Browns in the 1986 AFC Championship Game with a little moment known as The Drive.
Elway orchestrated one of the greatest drives in NFL history in his first run to the Super Bowl in crushing the Browns’ hopes in Cleveland, Ohio. There had not been a more exciting quarterback to play in the NFL before Elway, whose arm strength, mobility, and intellect made him a one-of-a-kind franchise passer for the Broncos.
Unfortunately, the Broncos had to face a truly complete team in Bill Parcells’ 1986 New York Giants in Super Bowl XXI. The terrific Giants defense, headlined by linebacker Lawrence Taylor, wreaked havoc all over Elway as Denver fell to New York, 39-20.
The 1986 Broncos’ 11-5 record, being 9.5-point underdogs to the Giants, and losing to New York by 19 points all work against tis Broncos team being remembered for anything positive. Elway would eventually win Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII in his final two seasons with the Broncos, but it would follow a decade of struggle. Elway was great, but as we learned in Super Bowl XXI, he couldn’t do it alone.
Next: 44. 1979 Los Angeles Rams