Established in 1960 in the old AFL, the Broncos started off their existance as a poor franchise. They did not gain their first playoff berth until
1977, a year in which they had a miraculous run to
the Super Bowl, a game that they lost handily. Since that time, the Broncos have been a very competitive franchise. They followed up their first playoff berth with 2 more, and then turned the corner after drafting quarterback John Elway in 1983. In Elway's career, which lasted until 1998, the team achieved 10 playoff berths. In the 1980s, the Broncos were known for their dominance of the Browns and their poor
performance in Super Bowls. In 1986, 1987, and 1989, they beat Cleveland for the AFC title, including a famous sequence of events known as The Drive during the first run. In all 3 of their '80s Super Bowl apperances, Denver was crushed by their opponents. In the 1990s, under coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos developed a hard nosed team and in 1997, made it to
the Super Bowl for a 5th time. This time, they were finally victorious, winning a close one in Super Bowl XXXII. They followed it up with another title in Super Bowl XXXIII, with Elway having a dominant
performance. Currently, the Broncos have been solid, although unspectacular, with 3 straight playoff berths.