My Deep Dive into a Broncos Super Bowl Win
So, I was thinking about the Denver Broncos winning the Super Bowl the other day. Specifically, that last one, Super Bowl 50. What a game, right? Mostly defense. Anyway, it got me thinking, I wanted to do more than just remember the cheering. I decided to really sit down and figure out how they pulled it off. Like, my own little project.
I started simple. Pulled up the final scores, basic stats from their championship runs. You know, Super Bowl 50, but also the two Elway won back in the day, XXXII and XXXIII. Wanted to see the differences.
Here’s what I ended up doing:
- First, I just re-watched Super Bowl 50. Like, the whole thing, not just highlights. Man, that defense was something else. Von Miller everywhere.
- Then I started digging into the stats for that season, especially the defense. Sacks, turnovers, points allowed. It wasn’t just Miller; Ware, Talib, Harris Jr., Ward… the whole crew was firing.
- Got curious about the coaching. Wade Phillips’ defensive scheme that year. Tried finding old articles or interviews talking about their game plan against Carolina. It was all about pressure.
- Compared it to the Elway wins. Totally different vibe. Those late 90s teams had Elway, Terrell Davis running wild. More offensive power, felt different. This last one felt like pure grit and defense dragging the offense across the finish line.
- Made some notes, just for myself. Kind of mapping out key plays, turning points, stuff like that. Just trying to understand the flow beyond the final score.
What I Took Away
Doing all that, spending a few evenings just digging into it, gave me a way better feel for that specific team. It wasn’t just one or two stars, though Von Miller was unreal. It was the whole defensive unit executing a plan almost perfectly.
You see the highlights and think “great defense,” but going through the whole game again, looking at the season stats, comparing eras… it really hammered home how special that 2015 Broncos defense was. One of the all-timers, I reckon. It wasn’t just about Manning riding off into the sunset; it was about that incredible defense putting the whole team on its back. Made me appreciate that championship in a whole new way, beyond just being a fan.
