Broncos’ decade record best in West

The Denver Broncos‘ legacy from 2000-2009 will be remembered as the decade of “close, but no cigar.”

The Broncos were always in the hunt for the AFC West title but only won the division once in the Aughts, in 2005. They placed third in the division in 2001 and 2006 and placed second every other year.

So while recent developments leave one feeling a sense of trending mediocrity in the Rockies, the Broncos actually enjoyed the best record in the division in the decade. Take a look:

SBw: Super Bowl wins; SBa: Super Bowl appearances; Pb: Playoff Berth

The real difference-maker is that the Broncos were never truly bad during that timespan, unlike the other three teams in the division. The Chargers were dreadful to start the decade, the Chiefs to end it and the Raiders throughout it (for the most part).

All that being said, it’s a minor consolation prize; the San Diego Chargers had the most division titles and playoff appearances of the decade, and still have the 2009 playoffs to adjust those right columns a tad. We think it’s safe to say that most fans would trade the decade the Broncos had for the decade the Chargers continue to enjoy.

NFL Standings for the Decade: Colts, Patriots Are the Best, Lions Are Clearly the Worst [NFL FanHouse]