THE MOST AMAZING ASPECT of the Denver Broncos rise to the level of 'ELITE NFL FRANCHISE,'
was where we had come from. The Broncos ten years in the AFL gave new meanings to the word "hapless,"
without a single winning record or playoff appearance. In 20 AFL games against division rival the Oakland
Raiders, we went 4-15-1, and against the Texans/Chiefs, 1-19. But we had our FANS! The loyalty and support
of our fans saw the team through that dark decade, and as the city grew from sleepy backwater to bustling
metropolis, the Broncos burst out of the gates in their first year in the National Football League.
The team made huge strides in the NFL. Before twenty years had gone by, the Broncos obtained a world-class
quarterback, played in four Super Bowls and became a perennial playoff contender. As the 90s progressed, we
won two Super Bowls back-to-back, and firmly established the Denver Broncos among a half dozen "ELITE
NFL FRANCHISES."
The team's hard-earned status continued well-maintained deep into the next century. The number of Broncos
in the Hall of Fame jumped from 0 to 8 in no time, and the team won its third Super Bowl Championship in
2015-2016. But serious cracks started to show in 2017 and 2018. And now, in 2021, the team's Elite status is
in jeopardy. Below are examples of excellence in a wide variety of areas, with indications where we need to
shore up. But by no means should we consider this team an also-ran just yet. After all, we rose from the ashes
of a decade of ineptitude to maintain the franchise at the top of the sport for 48-plus years. And that 5-34-1
AFL record against our two main rivals? We have a winning record against both in the NFL.


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