2011 Denver Broncos season

The 2011 season was the Denver Broncos' 42nd in the National Football League (NFL) and their 52nd overall. It also marked their first season under head coach John Fox, as well as the first with John Elway as the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations.

2011 Denver Broncos season
OwnerPat Bowlen
General managerBrian Xanders
Head coachJohn Fox
Home fieldSports Authority Field at Mile High
Local radioKOA 850 AM
Results
Record8–8
Division place1st AFC West
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Steelers) 29–23 (OT)
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Patriots) 10–45
Pro BowlersCB Champ Bailey
DE Elvis Dumervil
RB Willis McGahee
LB Von Miller
FS Brian Dawkins
OT Ryan Clady
AP All-ProsLB Von Miller (2nd team)

On July 25, the NFLPA and NFL owners agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified on August 4.[1] The Broncos training camp began on July 28 at the team headquarters in Dove Valley, Colorado, and the preseason and regular season started on time.[2]

This was the first of five consecutive AFC West titles for the Broncos. The first five weeks of the season were dominated by a quarterback controversy involving Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow, with fans voicing their displeasure with the play of Orton, which resulted in a 1–4 start, and the public outcry for Tebow to be moved to starter. On October 11, Tebow was named the starting quarterback beginning with the team's Week 7 game at the Miami Dolphins on October 23. Tebow compiled an 8–5 record (including the playoffs, with a six-game win streak from Weeks 9–14) after replacing Orton, including game-winning drives in the fourth quarter and/or overtime in six of those games, despite constant criticism of his unorthodox mechanics and abilities as a passer.[3] Orton was later waived on November 22.[4] Another notable roster change was the trade that sent wide receiver Brandon Lloyd to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for a conditional 2012 draft selection.[5]

The Broncos doubled their win total from 2010, finishing in a three-way tie with the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers for the AFC West division title, with an 8–8 record. The Broncos, however, won the AFC West based on tiebreakers,[6] thus clinching their first playoff berth and division title since 2005.

The Broncos opened the playoffs with a 29–23 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round, but were blown out by the New England Patriots in the divisional round by a score of 45–10.

Coaching and front-office changes
  • January 5: Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway was hired as the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Brian Xanders remained as general manager, but Elway had the final word in all football matters. Joe Ellis, who served as the team's chief operating officer for the past three years, was promoted to team president.[7]
  • January 13: The Broncos named former Carolina Panthers' head coach John Fox as the team's new head coach.[8]
  • January 17: The following changes were made to the Broncos' coaching staff: Clancy Barone was moved from offensive line coach to tight ends coach, replacing Bob Ligashesky. Dave Magazu was named the new offensive line coach. Tyke Tolbert was named the new wide receivers coach. Magazu and Tolbert both previously served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers. Brian Callahan was moved to the offensive quality control position, while Jay Rodgers was moved to the defensive quality control position. Eric Studesville, who served as the team's interim head coach for the final four games of the 2010 season, retained his position as the running backs coach.[9]
  • January 20: Adam Gase, who served as the Broncos' wide receivers coach during the previous two seasons, was named the team's new quarterbacks coach, replacing Ben McDaniels. That same day, Jeff Rodgers, who served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers during the previous two seasons, was named the team's new special teams coach.[10]
  • January 24: The Broncos hired former New Orleans Saints' secondary coach Dennis Allen as the team's new defensive coordinator, replacing Don Martindale.[11]
  • January 25: Ron Milus was hired as the new secondary coach, replacing Dennis Allen, while Richard Smith was hired as the new linebackers coach. Milus previously served as the Broncos' secondary coach in 2000, while Smith previously served as the Broncos' special teams coach and linebackers coach in the mid-1990s, and both previously served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers during the past two seasons.[12]
  • January 27: The coaching staff was finalized, when Keith Burns was brought back as the assistant special teams coach and Sam Garnes was hired as the teams' new assistant secondary coach. Garnes served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers last season.[13]
  • July 22: The Broncos hired Jerry Butler as the team's director of player development. Butler previously served in the same capacity with the Cleveland Browns from 2001 to 2010, and was a wide receiver with the Buffalo Bills from 1979 to 1986.[14]

Pre-lockout roster changes

The Broncos made the following roster moves prior to the decertification of the NFLPA on March 11 and subsequent 2011 NFL Lockout:

Draft
Main article: 2011 NFL draft

Despite the 2011 NFL Lockout, the 2011 NFL draft was held from April 28–30. However, no undrafted free agents were signed until after the lockout ended on July 25.[22]

2011 Denver Broncos Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotesTrades
12 Von MillerLBTexas A&Msigned July 28[23]
245 Rahim MooreSUCLAsigned July 28[24][dr 1] [dr 2]
46 Orlando FranklinOTMiamisigned July 29[27]
367 Nate IrvingLBNC Statesigned July 29[27]
4108 Quinton CarterSOklahomasigned July 29[27][dr 3] [dr 4]
129 Julius ThomasTEPortland Statesigned July 27[29][dr 5]
5 None[dr 6] [dr 7]
6189 Mike MohamedLBCaliforniasigned July 27,[29] waived September 22,[33]
promoted to the active roster on November 28[34]		[dr 8] [dr 9]
7204 Virgil GreenTENevadasigned July 27[29][dr 10]
247 * Jeremy BealDEOklahomasigned July 27,[29] waived September 3[36]
* Compensatory selection[37]

Draft trades

  1. The Broncos traded their original second-round selection (No. 36 overall) to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 49ers' second- (No. 45 overall), fourth- (No. 108 overall) and fifth- (No. 141 overall; later traded to the Green Bay Packers) round selections.[25]
  2. The Broncos acquired this second-round selection as part of an April 2010 trade that sent wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins.[26]
  3. The Broncos traded their original fourth-round selection (No. 99 overall) to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Patriots' sixth-round selection (No. 189 overall) and running back Laurence Maroney in September 2010.[28]
  4. See draft note 1.
  5. The Broncos acquired this fourth-round selection and a seventh-round selection (No. 204 overall) in a trade that sent a fifth-round selection (No. 141 overall; see draft note 1) and a sixth-round selection (No. 186 overall; previously acquired along with TE Dan Gronkowski in a September 2010 trade that sent CB Alphonso Smith and the team's original seventh-round selection – No. 205 overall – to the Detroit Lions) to the Green Bay Packers.[30][31]
  6. See draft notes 1 & 5.
  7. The Broncos traded their original fifth-round selection (No. 135 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for two 2010 seventh-round selections.[32]
  8. The Broncos traded their original sixth-round selection (No. 168 overall), a 2012 conditional draft selection and FB Peyton Hillis to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for QB Brady Quinn in March 2010.[35]
  9. See draft note 3.
  10. See draft note 5.

Post-lockout roster changes

Free agents

The following free agents were left unsigned after the beginning of the 2011 NFL Lockout in March (cornerback Champ Bailey and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson were re-signed before the lockout):

PositionPlayerTag2011 TeamNotes
FBKyle EckelUFANone
NTRonald FieldsUFACarolina Pantherssigned with the Panthers on September 13[38]
OTRyan HarrisUFAPhiladelphia Eaglessigned with the Eagles on August 2,[39]
re-signed by the Broncos on January 2, 2012[40]
RBLaurence MaroneyUFANone
DERyan McBeanERFADenver Broncossigned tender July 29[41]
PKMatt PraterRFADenver Broncossigned tender July 29[41]
DT/NTMarcus ThomasUFADenver Broncosre-signed July 31[42]
LBWesley WoodyardRFADenver Broncossigned tender July 29[41]

Undrafted free agents

All undrafted free agents were signed on July 27, two days after the end of the 2011 NFL Lockout.[43]

2011 Denver Broncos Undrafted Free Agents
PlayerPositionCollegeNotes
CBBrandon BingRutgerswaived September 3[36]
DTRonnell BrownJames Madisonwaived September 3[36]
WRMark DellMichigan Statedesignated as waived/injured on August 13[44]
LBDerek DominoSouth Dakota Statedesignated as waived/injured on August 15,[45]
released from the waived/injured list on December 13[46]
RBMario FanninAuburndesignated as waived/injured on August 6[47]
WRD'Andre GoodwinWashingtonwaived September 3,[36]
assigned to practice squad September 4,[48]
promoted to the active roster on January 10, 2012,[49]
on final roster
OTAdam GrantArizonawaived September 3,[36]
assigned to practice squad on September 4[48]
CBChris Harris, Jr.Kansason final roster
WRJamel HamlerFresno Stateplaced on injured reserve September 3,[36]
waived September 12[50]
LBA. J. JonesFloridawaived August 16[51]
LBDeron MayoOld Dominionwaived August 29[17]
OTCurt PorterJacksonville Statewaived August 29[17]
CBJames RogersMichiganreleased August 1[52]
FBAustin SylvesterWashingtonwaived September 3,[36]
assigned to practice squad September 4,[48]
promoted to the active roster on December 27,[53]
waived January 13, 2012[54]
QBAdam WeberMinnesotawaived September 3,[36]
assigned to practice squad on September 4[48]
DTColby WhitlockTexas Techreleased August 2[55]
WRMarshall WilliamsWake Forestreleased August 1[56]

Signings
PositionPlayer2010 TeamNotes
WRDavid AndersonHouston Texanssigned July 30,[57] waived September 3[36]
LSDavid BinnSan Diego Chargerssigned January 13, 2012,[54] on final roster
LBAlvin BowenJacksonville Jaguarssigned August 15,[45] waived September 3[36]
SRafael BushAtlanta Falconssigned October 17,[58] on final roster
CBTony CarterPractice squad playerpromoted to the active roster on December 13,[46]
on final roster
WR/RSQuan CosbyCincinnati Bengalssigned September 20,[59] waived December 27[53]
TEDaniel FellsSt. Louis Ramssigned August 1,[52] on final roster
RBC. J. GableNew Orleans Saintssigned August 6,[47] waived August 29[17]
DEDerrick HarveyJacksonville Jaguarssigned August 1,[52] on final roster
OTTony HillsPittsburgh Steelerssigned September 6,[18] on final roster
LBBrian IwuhChicago Bearssigned January 3, 2012,[60] on final roster
RBJeremiah JohnsonPractice squad playerpromoted to the active roster on September 16,[61]
waived September 20,[59]
promoted to the active roster on November 14,[62]
on final roster
FBQuinn JohnsonTennessee Titanssigned October 10,[63] waived December 17[64]
SKyle McCarthyPractice squad playerpromoted to the active roster on November 28,[34]
waived December 13,[46]
promoted to the active roster on December 17,[64]
waived January 3, 2012[60]
RBWillis McGaheeBaltimore Ravenssigned July 31,[65] on final roster
WRGreg OrtonSpokane Shock (AFL)signed August 13,[44] waived September 3[36]
DTDeMario PressleyHouston Texanssigned August 17,[66] waived September 3[36]
TEDante RosarioCarolina Pantherssigned August 1,[56] released September 3,[36]
re-signed September 22,[33] on final roster
DTTy WarrenNew England Patriotssigned August 2,[67]
placed on injured reserve September 17[68]
CBJonathan WilhiteNew England Patriotssigned September 4,[48] on final roster
Indicates that the player was a free agent at the end of his respective team's 2010 season.

Departures
PositionPlayerNotes
RBCorrell Buckhalterreleased July 29[16]
GStanley Danielswaived September 3[36]
TEDaniel Coatsreleased July 29[16]
CBPerrish Coxwaived September 3[36]
GStanley Danielswaived September 3[36]
WRBritt Daviswaived September 3[36]
LBDominic Douglaswaived July 31[69]
TEDan Gronkowskiwaived September 3[36]
PKSteven Hauschkawaived September 3[36]
SRenaldo Hillreleased July 30[70]
CBChevis Jacksonwaived August 4[71]
CBNate Jonesreleased August 29[17]
LBBraxton Kelleywaived August 29[17]
DTLouis Leonardreleased August 15[45]
SDarcel McBathreleased September 4[48]
GEric Olsenwaived September 3[36]
QBKyle Ortonwaived November 22[4]
SNick Polkreleased August 1[52]
TERichard Quinndesignated as waived/injured on August 22,[72]
released from injured reserve on August 26[73]
LBLee Robinsonwaived September 3[36]
DEDavid Veikunewaived August 29[17]
RBLenDale Whitereleased August 16[51]

Trades

Injuries
  • July 27: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was placed on the non-football injury list. Thomas suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon shortly after the end of the 2010 season, and had surgery back in February.[77] Thomas later suffered a broken finger during practice on September 8, and missed the first six weeks of the regular season.[78]
  • August 15: Defensive tackles Marcus Thomas and Ty Warren each sustained separate injuries in practice. Thomas suffered a strained pectoral muscle, and missed the first four weeks of the regular season. Warren suffered torn triceps, and was initially expected to return in November, but was placed on the season-ending injured reserve on September 17.[68][79]
  • August 27: Linebacker D. J. Williams suffered a dislocated elbow during the team's third preseason game vs. the Seattle Seahawks, and missed the first three weeks of the regular season.[80]
  • September 2: Cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the team's last preseason game at the Arizona Cardinals, and missed the entire 2011 season.[81]
  • October 10: Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson was placed on injured reserve, after suffering an ankle injury during the team's Week 5 loss to the San Diego Chargers the previous day.[63]
  • November 14: Running back Knowshon Moreno was placed on injured reserve, after he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the team's Week 10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs the previous day.[62]
  • November 28: Cornerback/return specialist Cassius Vaughn was placed on injured reserve, after suffering a broken bone in his leg during the team's Week 12 win over the San Diego Chargers the previous day.[34]
  • January 2, 2012: Guard Chris Kuper was placed on injured reserve, after suffering a broken leg during the team's regular season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs the previous day.[40]
  • January 10, 2012: Fullback Spencer Larsen was placed on injured reserve.[49]

Staff
2011 Denver Broncos staff
Front office
  • Owner/chairman/CEO – Pat Bowlen
  • President – Joe Ellis
  • Executive vice president of football operations – John Elway
  • general manager – Brian Xanders
  • Director of football administration – Mike Bluem
  • Director of college scouting – Matt Russell
  • Director of pro personnel – Keith Kidd
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Lenny McGill
  • Assistant director of pro personnel – Anthony Kelly
  • Director of player development – Jerry Butler

Head coaches

  • Head coach – John Fox
  • Assistant to head coach – Mark Thewes

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Rich Tuten
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Justin Lovett
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Greg Saporta

Final roster
2011 Denver Broncos final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 83 Mark Dell WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 42 Mario Fannin RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 73 Chris Kuper G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 27 Knowshon Moreno RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 22 Syd'Quan Thompson CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 41 Cassius Vaughn CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 99 Kevin Vickerson DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 94 Ty Warren DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 8 inactive, 8 practice squad

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 11 at Dallas Cowboys L 23–24 0–1 Cowboys Stadium Recap
2 August 20 Buffalo Bills W 24–10 1–1 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
3 August 27 Seattle Seahawks W 23–20 2–1 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
4 September 1 at Arizona Cardinals L 7–26 2–2 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 12 Oakland Raiders L 20–23 0–1 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
2 September 18 Cincinnati Bengals W 24–22 1–1 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
3 September 25 at Tennessee Titans L 14–17 1–2 LP Field Recap
4 October 2 at Green Bay Packers L 23–49 1–3 Lambeau Field Recap
5 October 9 San Diego Chargers L 24–29 1–4 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
6 Bye
7 October 23 at Miami Dolphins W 18–15 (OT) 2–4 Sun Life Stadium Recap
8 October 30 Detroit Lions L 10–45 2–5 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
9 November 6 at Oakland Raiders W 38–24 3–5 O.co Coliseum Recap
10 November 13 at Kansas City Chiefs W 17–10 4–5 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
11 November 17 New York Jets W 17–13 5–5 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
12 November 27 at San Diego Chargers W 16–13 (OT) 6–5 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
13 December 4 at Minnesota Vikings W 35–32 7–5 Mall of America Field Recap
14 December 11 Chicago Bears W 13–10 (OT) 8–5 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
15 December 18 New England Patriots L 23–41 8–6 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
16 December 24 at Buffalo Bills L 14–40 8–7 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
17 January 1 Kansas City Chiefs L 3–7 8–8 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week One: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 16 0723
Broncos 3 0 10720

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

The Broncos donned their alternate orange jerseys and kicked off their 2011 season at home against their AFC West rival Oakland Raiders, the Broncos' first Week 1 home opener since 2004. The Broncos took an early lead in the first quarter, with a 28-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. The Raiders reeled off 16 unanswered points in the second quarter, with a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jason Campbell to fullback Marcel Reece, followed by three field goals of 37, 21 and 63 yards by placekicker Sebastian Janikowski, the latter of which tied the record for the longest field goal in NFL history. The Broncos responded in the third quarter, with kick returner Eric Decker returning a punt 90 yards for a touchdown, followed by a 30-yard field goal by Prater. The Raiders increased their lead in the fourth quarter, with a 1-yard touchdown run by Campbell. The Broncos tried to rally, with quarterback Kyle Orton throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Lance Ball. However, Oakland ran out the clock.[82]

This would be the last time the Broncos lost their season opener and home opener until 2019; their opener that year was also against the Raiders.

Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week Two: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 3 12722
Broncos 7 3 7724

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

Following their Monday Night loss to the Raiders, the Broncos remained on home turf to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The Broncos took the lead in the first quarter, with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Willis McGahee. The Bengals got on the board in the second quarter, with a 45-yard field goal by placekicker Mike Nugent. The Broncos responded, with a 34-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater just before halftime. In the third quarter, the Broncos extended their lead, with a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Orton to wide receiver Eric Decker. The Bengals reeled off 12 unanswered points, with a 37-yard field goal by Nugent, a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Andy Dalton to wide receiver Andre Caldwell (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), followed by a 23-yard field goal by Nugent, narrowing the Broncos' lead to 17–15. In the fourth quarter, the Broncos once again increased their lead, with a 52-yard touchdown pass from Orton to Decker, but the Bengals responded, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Dalton to wide receiver A. J. Green. The Broncos' defense prevented any more scoring.[83]

Week 3: at Tennessee Titans
Week Three: Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 7014
Titans 0 10 0717

at LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

Following their close win over the Bengals, the Broncos traveled to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. The Broncos took the lead in the first quarter, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyle Orton to wide receiver Matthew Willis. The Titans responded in the second quarter, with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to wide receiver Nate Washington, followed by a 46-yard field goal by placekicker Rob Bironas. The Broncos re-claimed the lead in the third quarter, when Orton connecting with running back Willis McGahee on a 5-yard touchdown pass. However, after recovering a Hasselbeck fumble in Titans' territory late in the third quarter, the Broncos failed to capitalize on the turnover, as Tennessee's defense denied the Broncos from extending their lead with a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter. The Titans later claimed the lead, when Hasselbeck, playing on his 36th birthday, threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Graham, who played with the Broncos from 2007 to 2010. Tennessee's defense thwarted the Broncos' final drive.[84]

Week 4: at Green Bay Packers
Week Four: Denver Broncos at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 3 14 0623
Packers 14 14 14749

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Hoping to avenge their loss at Tennessee, the Broncos traveled to Lambeau Field to face the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers. The Broncos took the early lead, with a 27-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. However, the Packers responded, with a 50-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers to wide receiver Jordy Nelson, followed by cornerback Charles Woodson returning an interception off Broncos' quarterback Kyle Orton 30 yards for a touchdown. After recovering an onside kick, the Packers added to their lead early in the second quarter, with Rodgers scrambling 11 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos responded, with Orton throwing two touchdown passes to wide receiver Eric Decker: a 5-yarder, followed by a 33-yarder. The Packers responded just before halftime, when Rodgers connected on a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings. The Packers increased their lead on the opening possession of the third quarter, with Rodgers scrambling for an 8-yard touchdown run, followed by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to wide receiver James Jones. The Packers continued their onslaught in the fourth quarter, with Rodgers hooking up with wide receiver Donald Driver on an 8-yard touchdown pass. The Broncos scored a late touchdown, when Orton connected with tight end Daniel Fells on a 7-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), but the outcome of the game had already been decided in Green Bay's favor.[85] The loss drops the Broncos to 0–4–1 all-time in Green Bay.

Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 6 17 0629
Broncos 7 3 01424

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

Hoping to rebound from their blowout loss at Green Bay, the Broncos returned home for an AFC West duel with the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers took the early lead in the first quarter, with a 24-yard field goal by placekicker Nick Novak. The Broncos grabbed the lead, when cornerback Cassius Vaughn returned an interception off Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers 55 yards for a touchdown. The Chargers responded, with a 32-yard field goal by Novak. The Broncos extended their lead in the second quarter, with a 32-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. However, the Chargers reclaimed the lead, with a 2-yard touchdown run by Rivers, a 28-yard field goal by Novak, followed by a 42-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to wide receiver Malcom Floyd, giving San Diego a 23–10 halftime lead. The Broncos benched quarterback Kyle Orton in favor of Tim Tebow. After a scoreless third quarter, the Chargers added to their lead, with a 51-yard field goal by Novak. The Broncos responded, when Tebow scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown (with a two-point conversion run by running back Willis McGahee), then threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to running back Knowshon Moreno (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), to pull the Broncos to within 26–24 with just over three minutes left in the game. The Chargers responded, with a 35-yard field goal by Novak. The Broncos tried to rally with 24 seconds remaining in regulation, but Tebow's last-second desperation pass into the end zone was unsuccessful, sealing the win for San Diego.[86]

Injuries

Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson suffering an ankle injury early in the game. Though he later returned, he was placed on injured reserve one day later (October 10).[63]

Week 7: at Miami Dolphins
Week Seven: Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Broncos 0 0 015318
Dolphins 0 6 09015

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Hoping to snap their three-game losing streak, and coming off their bye week, the Broncos traveled to face the Miami Dolphins in Sun Life Stadium, where the Broncos had never won in their franchise history except against another team, the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII. After a scoreless first quarter, the Dolphins grabbed the lead in the second quarter, with field goals of 38 and 36 yards by kicker Dan Carpenter. After a scoreless third quarter, the Dolphins extended their lead in the fourth quarter, with quarterback Matt Moore throwing a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano (with a failed two-point conversion attempt), followed by a 43-yard field goal by Carpenter, giving Miami a 15–0 lead. However, after each team traded punts, the Broncos staged a rally with just over five minutes remaining, with quarterback Tim Tebow throwing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to pull to within 15–7 with 2:44 remaining. After the Broncos recovered an onside kick, they subsequently marched down the field, with Tebow connecting on a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Fells, followed by Tebow scrambling for the two-point conversion to send the game into overtime. On the Dolphins' second possession in overtime, Broncos' linebacker D. J. Williams forced a fumble off Moore, giving the Broncos possession at the Dolphins' 36-yard line. Four plays later, kicker Matt Prater, who had missed two field goals in the first half, nailed the game-winning 52-yard field goal.

Notes

With the win, the Broncos earned their 400th win in franchise history, their first-ever win over the Dolphins at Miami in eight tries, and became the first team in NFL history since the AFL–NFL merger to win a game after trailing by 15 or more points with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.[87][88]

Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions
Week Eight: Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 17 14745
Broncos 3 0 0710

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

Hoping to build on the momentum of their comeback win at Miami, the Broncos donned their alternate orange jerseys and returned home for an interconference duel with the Detroit Lions. The Broncos grabbed the early lead in the first quarter, with a 39-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. However, the Lions dominated the remainder of the game, beginning with a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Titus Young, followed in the second quarter by a 50-yard field goal by placekicker Jason Hanson, a 1-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Tony Scheffler and a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Maurice Morris, giving Detroit a 24–3 halftime lead. The Lions continued their domination in the third quarter, with a 24-yard fumble return for a touchdown by defensive end Cliff Avril, a 56-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to wide receiver Calvin Johnson, followed in the fourth quarter by cornerback Chris Houston returning an interception off Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow 100 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos finally got into the end zone, with Tebow throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Decker, but the outcome of the game had already been decided in Detroit's favor.[89]

Week 9: at Oakland Raiders
Week Nine: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 171438
Raiders 3 14 7024

at O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 2:05 pm. MST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 58,125
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Hoping to rebound from their disastrous home loss to the Lions, the Broncos traveled to the O.co Coliseum for an AFC West rematch with the Oakland Raiders. In the first quarter, the Raiders grabbed the early lead, with a 48-yard field goal by placekicker Sebastian Janikowski. The Broncos responded, with quarterback Tim Tebow hooking up with wide receiver Eric Decker on a 27-yard touchdown pass. The Raiders re-claimed the lead in the second quarter, with quarterback Carson Palmer throwing two touchdown passes: an 11-yarder to running back Michael Bush, followed by a 40-yarder to fullback Marcel Reece. In the third quarter, the Broncos cut into the Raiders' lead, with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to wide receiver Eddie Royal. The Raiders responded, with Palmer throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jacoby Ford, giving Oakland a 24–14 lead. However, the Broncos dominated the remainder of the game, beginning with a 43-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater, followed by running back Willis McGahee rushing for a 60-yard touchdown at the end of the third quarter. The Broncos grabbed the lead with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, when Royal returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown, then pulled away with a 24-yard touchdown run by McGahee.[90]

Week 10: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week Ten: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 3 0717
Chiefs 0 0 7310

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 12:00 pm. CST/11:00 am. MST
  • Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 72,908
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Coming off their win at Oakland, the Broncos traveled to Arrowhead Stadium for an AFC West duel with the Kansas City Chiefs. In the first quarter, the Broncos grabbed the early lead, with quarterback Tim Tebow scrambling for a 7-yard touchdown, followed in the second quarter by a 38-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. The Chiefs got on the board in the third quarter, with a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Cassel to fullback Le'Ron McClain. The Broncos responded in the fourth quarter, with Tebow throwing a 56-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Decker. The Chiefs tried to rally, with placekicker Ryan Succop nailing a late 32-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining, but the ensuing onside kickoff was unsuccessful, sealing the win for the Broncos.[91]

Notes

With the win, the Broncos matched their win total from 2010.

Injuries

Running back Knowshon Moreno suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the first quarter, and was placed on injured reserve.[62]

Week 11: vs. New York Jets
Week Eleven: New York Jets at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 3 7313
Broncos 3 0 7717

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

Coming off their win at Kansas City, the Broncos returned home for an AFC duel against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. The Broncos grabbed the lead in the first quarter, with a 37-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. The Jets tied the game in the second quarter, with a 21-yard field goal by placekicker Nick Folk, then grabbed the lead in the third quarter, when guard Matt Slauson returned a fumble off Jets' running back Bilal Powell into the end zone for a touchdown. The Broncos tied the game, when cornerback André Goodman returned an interception off Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez 26 yards for a touchdown. The Jets re-claimed the lead in the fourth quarter, with a 45-yard field goal by Folk. After each team traded punts, the Broncos got the ball with 5:54 remaining, when quarterback Tim Tebow led the Broncos on a 12-play, 95-yard drive, culminating with Tebow scrambling 20 yards for a touchdown with 58 seconds remaining. The Broncos' defense thwarted Sanchez' last-second desperation pass toward the end zone.[92]

Notes

With the win, the Broncos exceeded their win total from 2010.

Week 12: at San Diego Chargers
Week Twelve: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Broncos 0 7 33316
Chargers 3 7 30013

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Coming off their win over the Jets, the Broncos traveled to Qualcomm Stadium for an AFC West rematch with the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers jumped out to a 10–0 lead, with a 53-yard field goal by kicker Nick Novak in the first quarter, followed in the second quarter by a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Philip Rivers to tight end Antonio Gates. The Broncos responded just before halftime, with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tim Tebow to wide receiver Eric Decker. The Chargers added to their lead in the third quarter, with a 25-yard field goal by Novak. The Broncos countered just before the end of the third quarter, with a 41-yard field goal by kicker Matt Prater. Novak missed a 48-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Trailing 13–10 with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Broncos marched down the field and tied the game with a 24-yard field goal by Prater. The Broncos' defense subdued San Diego's final drive of the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime. On the Chargers' second possession in overtime, Novak's potential game-winning 53-yard field goal was blocked. However, head coach John Fox had called a timeout prior to the kick. Novak missed the second attempt wide right. The Broncos' third possession in overtime began with 2:31 remaining, and Prater nailed the game-winning 37-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in overtime.[93]

Notes

With the win, the Broncos swept their AFC West division rivals on the road for the second time in three seasons.

Injuries

Cornerback Cassius Vaughn suffered a broken bone in his leg, and was placed on injured reserve the following day.[34]

Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 141435
Vikings 5 10 71032

at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Coming off their overtime win at San Diego, the Broncos traveled to the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome for an interconference duel with the Minnesota Vikings. The game's first points came from the Vikings, when defensive end Jared Allen tackled running back Willis McGahee in the end zone for a safety. The Broncos grabbed the lead when linebacker Mario Haggan returned an interception off Vikings' quarterback Christian Ponder 16 yards for a touchdown. Vikings' kicker Ryan Longwell made a 40-yard field goal, then the Vikings reclaimed the lead in the second quarter, on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Ponder to tight end Kyle Rudolph, followed by another field goal by Longwell, this time from 25 yards, just before halftime. The Broncos narrowed Minnesota's lead in the third quarter, with a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tim Tebow to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, but the Vikings countered with a 52-yard touchdown pass from Ponder to wide receiver Percy Harvin. The Broncos responded with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to Thomas. Ponder then threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Harvin to give Minnesota a 29–21 lead. On the Broncos' next possession, McGahee rushed 24 yards for a touchdown and Tebow scrambled for a two-point conversion to tie the game at 29. The Vikings subsequently reclaimed the lead on Longwell's 39-yard field goal with 3:06 left in the game. The Broncos answered with kicker Matt Prater's 46-yard field goal with 1:33 left to tie the game at 32. On the Vikings' ensuing possession, Broncos' cornerback André Goodman returned an interception off Ponder to the Vikings' 15-yard line. Six plays later, Prater nailed the game-winning 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Broncos their fifth consecutive win.[94]

Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Bears 0 0 73010
Broncos 0 0 010313

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

Coming off their last-second win at Minnesota, the Broncos returned home for an interconference duel with the Chicago Bears. After a scoreless first half, which included Bears' defensive end Julius Peppers blocking a 28-yard field goal attempt by kicker Matt Prater in the second quarter, the Bears grabbed the lead in the third quarter, with running back Marion Barber rushing for a 9-yard touchdown. The Bears extended their lead to 10–0 early in the fourth quarter, with a 57-yard field goal by kicker Robbie Gould. With 4:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Broncos put together a 7-play, 63-yard drive, and finally got on the scoreboard with 2:08 remaining, when quarterback Tim Tebow threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. With no timeouts remaining, the Broncos tried an onside kick, but Chicago recovered prior to the two-minute warning. After one running play, the two-minute warning stopped the clock. On the next play, Broncos' linebacker D. J. Williams was able to push Barber out of bounds, saving 40 seconds of time. The Bears eventually punted to the Broncos' 20-yard line with 56 seconds remaining. Tebow subsequently led the Broncos on an 8-play, 39-yard drive, with Prater nailing a game-tying 59-yard field goal to send the game to overtime. This was the first game in NFL history that had two field goals of 57 yards or more. Chicago won the overtime coin toss, however, they deferred, and the Broncos went three-and-out on their first possession. The Bears drove into field goal range on their first overtime possession, but Broncos' linebacker Wesley Woodyard forced a fumble off Barber, with defensive end Elvis Dumervil recovering the fumble. Nine plays later, Prater nailed the game-winning 51-yard field goal.[95]

Notes

In the fourth quarter and overtime, Tim Tebow was 18 of 24 with 191 yards passing and one touchdown.[96] In his first 11 starts, Tebow has six game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. This is more than any other quarterback since the AFL–NFL merger, and breaks the previous record of five, last accomplished by Jake Delhomme in 1999.[95]

Week 15: vs. New England Patriots
Week Fifteen: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 7 20 7741
Broncos 13 3 0723

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 2:15 pm. MST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), mostly sunny
  • Game attendance: 76,556
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Coming off their overtime win over the Bears, the Broncos remained on home ground for an AFC duel with the New England Patriots. The Broncos grabbed the early lead, with quarterback Tim Tebow scrambling for a 9-yard touchdown (with a failed two-point conversion attempt after a botched extra-point snap). The Patriots responded, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. The Broncos countered, with a 32-yard touchdown run by running back Lance Ball, followed in the second quarter by a 26-yard field goal by kicker Matt Prater. However, New England reeled off 27 unanswered points, 17 of which came off three Broncos' turnovers in the second quarter. Brady connected with tight end Aaron Hernandez on a 1-yard touchdown pass, placekicker Stephen Gostkowski nailed a 21-yard field goal, Brady ran a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown and Gostkowski nailed a 34-yard field goal at the end of the first half. The Patriots added to their lead in the third quarter, with a 10-yard touchdown run by running back Danny Woodhead. The Broncos tried to cut into New England's lead in the fourth quarter, with Tebow scrambling for a 2-yard touchdown, but a 1-yard touchdown run by Patriots' running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis and a sack of Tebow for a loss of 28 yards put the game out of reach.[97]

Week 16: at Buffalo Bills
Week Sixteen: Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 0 7014
Bills 0 17 61740

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/11:00 am. MST
  • Game weather: 30 °F (−1 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 45,112
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Patriots, the Broncos traveled to Ralph Wilson Stadium for an AFC duel with the Buffalo Bills. The Broncos grabbed the early lead in the first quarter, with quarterback Tim Tebow scrambling for a 1-yard touchdown. The Bills stormed back, reeling off 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, with a 28-yard field goal by placekicker Dave Rayner, an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown by Leodis McKelvin and a 4-yard touchdown run by running back C. J. Spiller. The Broncos cut into Buffalo's lead early in the third quarter, with Tebow throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Fells. However, the Broncos were held scoreless for the remainder of the game. The Bills added to their lead, with three field goals by Rayner—a pair of 25-yarders in the third quarter, followed by a 29-yarder early in the fourth quarter. The Bills pulled further away, converting two turnovers off Tebow into touchdowns—a 37-yard interception return by safety Jairus Byrd, followed by a 17-yard fumble return by linebacker Spencer Johnson.[98]

Week 17: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Seventeen: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 0 007
Broncos 0 0 303

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: January 1
  • Game time: 2:15 pm. MST
  • Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 76,005
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Hoping to rebound from their tough loss at Buffalo and keep their playoff hopes alive, the Broncos returned home for an AFC West rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, in the team's regular season finale. This was Chiefs' quarterback Kyle Orton's first visit to Denver since he was waived by the Broncos on November 22. The Chiefs grabbed the early lead in the first quarter, with a 21-yard touchdown run by running back Dexter McCluster. After a scoreless second quarter, which included a fumble by Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow deep in Chiefs' territory, the Broncos got on the scoreboard in the third quarter, with a 38-yard field goal by placekicker Matt Prater. However, both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of the game. Kansas City's defense thwarted the Broncos' last drive.[99]

Notes

With the loss, the Broncos finished the regular season with an 8–8 record for the third time in four seasons, and were swept at home by their division rivals for the second time in three seasons. The Broncos finished tied with the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers for the AFC West division title. However, the Broncos won the tiebreakers over both teams based on record against common opponents (5–5 to the Raiders' and Chargers' 4–6), thus clinching their first playoff berth and division title since 2005.[6] This was the team's last loss to a division opponent until Week 15 of the 2013 season and last loss to the Chiefs until Week 10 of the 2015 season.

Injuries Guard Chris Kuper suffered a broken leg during the first quarter, and was placed on injured reserve the following day (January 2).[40]

Standings
AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Denver Broncos 8 8 0 .500 3–3 6–6 309 390 L3
San Diego Chargers 8 8 0 .500 3–3 7–5 406 377 W1
Oakland Raiders 8 8 0 .500 3–3 6–6 359 433 L1
Kansas City Chiefs 7 9 0 .438 3–3 4–8 212 338 W1
AFC[100]
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division winners
1 New England Patriots East 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .449 .423 W8
2[lower-alpha 1] Baltimore Ravens North 12 4 0 .750 6–0 9–3 .477 .484 W2
3 Houston Texans South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 8–4 .453 .413 L3
4[lower-alpha 2] Denver Broncos West 8 8 0 .500 3–3 6–6 .520 .445 L3
Wild cards
5[lower-alpha 1] Pittsburgh Steelers North 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .492 .411 W2
6[lower-alpha 3] Cincinnati Bengals North 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 .492 .326 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[lower-alpha 3] Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .461 .396 W2
8[lower-alpha 4] New York Jets East 8 8 0 .500 3–3 6–6 .500 .395 L3
9[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5] San Diego Chargers West 8 8 0 .500 3–3 7–5 .516 .430 W1
10[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 5] Oakland Raiders West 8 8 0 .500 3–3 6–6 .504 .438 L1
11 Kansas City Chiefs West 7 9 0 .438 3–3 4–8 .512 .464 W1
12[lower-alpha 6] Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 3–3 5–7 .504 .417 W1
13[lower-alpha 6] Buffalo Bills East 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .520 .510 L1
14 Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 .500 .363 W1
15 Cleveland Browns North 4 12 0 .250 0–6 3–9 .531 .313 L6
16 Indianapolis Colts South 2 14 0 .125 2–4 2–10 .539 .594 L1
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 7]
  1. Baltimore clinched the AFC North title based on a head-to-head sweep over Pittsburgh.
  2. Denver clinched the AFC West title instead of San Diego or Oakland based on record versus common opponents (5–5 to San Diego's and Oakland's 4–6).
  3. Cincinnati clinched the AFC 6 seed instead of Tennessee based on a head-to-head victory.
  4. New York Jets finished ahead of San Diego based on head-to-head victory.
  5. San Diego finished ahead of Oakland in the AFC West based on better conference record (7–5 to 6–6).
  6. Miami finished in third place in the AFC East based on a head-to-head sweep over Buffalo.
  7. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason
See also: 2011–12 NFL playoffs

Schedule
Round Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 8, 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers (5) W 29–23 (OT) 1–0 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
Divisional January 14, 2012 at New England Patriots (1) L 10–45 1–1 Gillette Stadium Recap

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Pittsburgh Steelers at (4) Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Steelers 6 0 710023
Broncos 0 20 03629

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information
Sports Authority Field shortly after the game winning touchdown in overtime.

The Broncos opened the 2011–12 NFL Playoffs at home with a Wild Card matchup against the #5 seed Pittsburgh Steelers, the Broncos' first playoff game since 2005. The only points of the first quarter came from the Steelers, with field goals of 45 and 38 yards by placekicker Shaun Suisham. The Broncos reeled off 20 unanswered points in the second quarter, with quarterback Tim Tebow throwing a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eddie Royal, then scrambling for an 8-yard touchdown run, followed by field goals of 20 and 28 yards by placekicker Matt Prater. A 1-yard touchdown run by Steelers' wide receiver Mike Wallace on an end-around was the only scoring play of the third quarter. The Broncos added to their lead early in the fourth quarter, with a 35-yard field goal by Prater. The Steelers countered with a 37-yard field goal by Suisham. On the Broncos' following possession, running back Willis McGahee fumbled, and the Steelers subsequently tied the game with a 7-play, 55-yard drive, culminating with a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Each team traded punts on subsequent possessions, sending the game to overtime. The Broncos won the overtime coin toss, and on their first play, Tebow fired the game-winning 80-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.[101] It was not only the longest scoring play in NFL overtime playoff history, but Thomas also set a new Broncos' franchise record for receiving yards in a playoff game, with 204 yards.[102]

With the win, the Broncos advanced to face the New England Patriots in the divisional round.

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (1) New England Patriots
AFC Divisional Playoffs: (4) Denver Broncos at (1) New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 3010
Patriots 14 21 7345

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: January 14, 2012
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST/6:00 pm. MST
  • Game weather: 24 °F (−4 °C), partly cloudy and cold
  • Game attendance: 68,756
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Following their overtime win over the Steelers in the wild-card round of the 2011–12 NFL Playoffs, the Broncos traveled to Foxborough, Massachusetts to face the #1 seed New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, in the divisional round. The Patriots jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter, with quarterback Tom Brady throwing a pair of touchdown passes—a 7-yarder to wide receiver Wes Welker and a 10-yarder to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Broncos responded at the beginning of the second quarter, with running back Willis McGahee rushing for a 5-yard touchdown, but the Patriots subsequently added to lead, with Brady throwing three more touchdown passes—a 12-yarder to Gronkowski, a 61-yarder to wide receiver Deion Branch followed by a 19-yarder to Gronkowski just before halftime. The Patriots continued their onslaught in the third quarter, with a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez. A 41-yard field goal by Broncos' placekicker Matt Prater made the score 42–10. The Patriots added to their lead early in the fourth quarter, with a 20-yard field goal by placekicker Stephen Gostkowski, which was the last scoring play of the game by either team, sealing the win for New England.[103]

Statistics

Team leaders
Category Player(s) Value
Passing yardsTim Tebow1,729
Passing touchdownsTim Tebow12
Rushing yardsWillis McGahee1,199
Rushing touchdownsTim Tebow6
ReceptionsEric Decker44
Receiving yardsEric Decker612
Receiving touchdownsEric Decker8
PointsMatt Prater87
Kickoff return yardsQuan Cosby457
Punt return yardsQuan Cosby269
TacklesWesley Woodyard97
SacksVon Miller11.5
Forced fumblesD. J. Williams
Wesley Woodyard		3
InterceptionsAndré Goodman
Champ Bailey		2

Source for this section: Denver Broncos' official website.[104]

League rankings
Offense
Category Value NFL rank
(out of 32)
Total yards 316.6 YPG 23rd
Yards per play 5 25th
Rushing yards 164.5 YPG 1st
Yards per rush 4.8 6th
Passing yards 152.1 YPG 31st
Yards per pass 6.3 28th
Scoring 19.3 PPG 25th
Pass completions 217/429 (.506) 32nd
Third downs 66/214 (.308) 30th
Possession average 29:43 21st
Fewest sacks allowed 42 T−23rd
Turnover differential −12 26th
Defense
Category Value NFL rank
(out of 32)
Total yards 357.8 YPG 20th
Yards per play 5.4 16th
Rushing yards 126.3 YPG 22nd
Yards per rush 4.1 12th
Passing yards 231.5 YPG 15th
Yards per pass 7.5 20th
Scoring 24.4 PPG 24th
Pass completions 333/534 (.624) 23rd
Third downs 73/218 (.335) 27th
Sacks 41 T−10th
Forced fumbles 11 T−26th
Fumble recoveries 9 T–18th
Interceptions 9 T−28th
Special Teams
Category Value NFL rank
(out of 32)
Kickoff returns 24.5 YPR 11th
Punt returns 12.7 YPR 3rd
Gross punting 47.4 YPP 7th
Net punting 41.6 YPP 6th
Kickoff coverage 24.6 YPR 20th
Punt coverage 11.5 YPR 13th

Source for this section: NFL.com.[105]

Awards and honors
Recipient Award(s)
Champ Bailey Named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster[106]
Ryan Clady Named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster[106]
Brian Dawkins Named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster[106]
Eric Decker Named to the USA Football All Fundamentals Team[107]
Elvis Dumervil Named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster[106]
Orlando Franklin Named to the Football Outsiders All-Rookie Team[108]
Chris Harris, Jr. Named to the Football Outsiders All-Rookie Team[108]
Named to the Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team[109]
Willis McGahee Week 9: FedEx Ground Player of the Week[110]
Named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster[106]
Von Miller First half of the season: Sports Illustrated Defensive Rookie of the Year.[111]
Week 10: AFC Defensive Player of the Week[112]
November: Defensive Rookie of the Month[113]
Named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster[106]
Named to the Football Outsiders All-Rookie Team[108]
Voted to The Associated Press 2011 NFL All-Pro Team[114]
Named to the Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team[109]
2011 season: Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year[115]
Matt Prater Week 14: AFC Special Teams Player of the Week[116]
December: AFC Special Teams Player of the Month[117]
Eddie Royal Week 9: AFC Special Teams Player of the Week[118]
Tim Tebow Week 14: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Year (come-from-behind/overtime win)[115]
Demaryius Thomas Best Moment at 2012 ESPY Awards (80-yard touchdown pass from Tim Tebow in the Wild Card playoffs)[119]
Wesley Woodyard Named as the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year[120]
Team Week 7: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (come-from-behind/overtime win)[121]
Week 10: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (touchdown pass from Tim Tebow to Eric Decker)[122]
Week 11: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (come-from-behind win),[123]
Week 12: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (come-from-behind/overtime win)[124]
Week 14: GMC Never Say Never Moment of the Week (come-from-behind/overtime win)[125]

Other news and notes
  • On August 16, Sports Authority, a sporting goods retailer based in Englewood, Colorado, took over the naming rights of INVESCO Field at Mile High. Invesco held the original naming rights to the Denver Broncos' stadium since it opened in 2001, and Invesco's naming rights agreement was set to expire in 2021. INVESCO Field at Mile High officially became known as Sports Authority Field at Mile High, in time for the Broncos' first preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on August 20.[126]
  • This season was the last in which the Broncos wore their navy blue jerseys as their primary home jersey. The team used the alternate orange jerseys for games in Weeks 1 (vs. the Oakland Raiders) and 8 (vs. the Detroit Lions).[82][89] Beginning with the 2012 season, the Broncos announced that the orange jerseys – the team's alternate colored jersey since 2002 – will become the primary home jersey, while the navy blue jerseys, which had been the team's primary home jersey since their introduction in 1997, will switch to alternate designation. The change was made due to overwhelming popularity with fans, who clamored for the team to return to wearing orange at home, which was the team's predominant home jersey color from 1962 to 1996.[127][128]

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